Background The spectrum of neurological involvement in COVID-19 is not thoroughly understood. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review with meta-analysis and a sub-group comparison between severe and non-severe cases has been published. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of neurological manifestations and complications, identify the neurodiagnostic findings, and compare these aspects between severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between the 1st of January 2020 and 22nd of April 2020. In addition, we scanned the bibliography of included studies to identify other potentially eligible studies. The criteria for eligibility included studies published in English language (or translated to English), those involving patients with COVID-19 of all age groups, and reporting neurological findings. Data were extracted from eligible studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled percentages and means with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of individual studies on the summary estimate. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to severity. The main outcomes of the study were to identify the frequency and nature of neurological manifestations and complications, and the neuro-diagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients. Results 44 articles were included with a pooled sample size of 13,480 patients. The mean age was 50.3 years and 53% were males. The most common neurological manifestations were: Myalgia (22.2, 95% CI, 17.2 to 28.1%), taste impairment (19.6, 95% CI, 3.8 to 60.1%), smell impairment (18.3, 95% CI, 15.4 to 76.2%), headache (12.1, 95% CI, 9.1 to 15.8%), dizziness (11.3, 95% CI, 8.5 to 15.0%), and encephalopathy (9.4, 95% CI, 2.8 to 26.6%). Nearly 2.5% (95% CI, 1 to 6.1%) of patients had acute cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Myalgia, elevated CK and LDH, and acute CVD were significantly more common in severe cases. Moreover, 20 case reports were assessed qualitatively, and their data presented separately. Conclusions Neurological involvement is common in COVID-19 patients. Early recognition and vigilance of such involvement might impact their overall outcomes.

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Abstract Background: The spectrum of neurological involvement in COVID-19 is not thoroughly understood. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review with meta-analysis and a sub-group comparison between severe and non-severe cases has been published. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of neurological manifestations and complications, identify the neurodiagnostic findings, and compare these aspects between severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases.Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between the 1st of January 2020 and 22nd of April 2020. In addition, we scanned the bibliography of included studies to identify other potentially eligible studies. The criteria for eligibility included studies published in English language (or translated to English), those involving patients with COVID-19 of all age groups, and reporting neurological findings. Data were extracted from eligible studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled percentages and means with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of individual studies on the summary estimate. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to severity. The main outcomes of the study were to identify the frequency and nature of neurological manifestations and complications, and the neuro-diagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients.Results: 44 articles were included with a pooled sample size of 13480 patients. The mean age was 50.3 years and 53% were males. The most common neurological manifestations were: Myalgia (22.2%, 95% CI, 17.2% to 28.1%), taste impairment (19.6%, 95% CI, 3.8% to 60.1%), smell impairment (18.3%, 95% CI, 15.4% to 76.2%), headache (12.1%, 95% CI, 9.1% to 15.8%), dizziness (11.3%, 95% CI, 8.5% to 15.0%), and encephalopathy (9.4%, 95% CI, 2.8% to 26.6%). Nearly 2.5% (95% CI, 1% to 6.1%) of patients had acute cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Myalgia, elevated CK and LDH, and acute CVD were significantly more common in severe cases. Moreover, 20 case reports were assessed qualitatively, and their data presented separately.Conclusions: Neurological involvement is common in COVID-19 patients. Early recognition and vigilance of such involvement might impact their overall outcomes.

Purpose: To determine compliance rates and characteristics and to investigate factors affecting patients' adherence to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs) for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a cohort of Jordanian patients. Methods: A retrospective case series wherein the files of DME patients treated with anti-VEGFs were reviewed and analyzed for factors affecting treatment compliance was undertaken. Demographic, clinical and ocular characteristics were recorded. All patients were also interviewed by phone using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with compliance. Results: A total of 117 patients (65 males 52 females) were included in this study with a mean age of 62.93 years (±9.75). Approximately, 85% of patients were compliant to their treatment and follow-up plan during the first year of management. Subjective perception of visual improvement after receiving three loading doses was the only independent variable with a unique statistically significant contribution to compliance. All other studied factors in this group of patients were not significantly associated with patient compliance. Conclusion: VEGF suppression via the intravitreal route to treat DME is a long-term process that requires caregiver dedication but also proper patient compliance. Addressing real-life barriers in those patients may help guide future strategies to improve the treatment experience, lower the financial burden and contribute to better outcomes. Patients' perceptions of possible treatment outcomes at the short term may influence their long-term commitment to therapy.

Background: Silicone oil tamponade has become a mainstay in treatment of advanced retinal detachment due to multiple etiologies. The aim of this study is to assess the characteristics, fates and complications of long-term silicone oil tamponade after par plana vitrectomy (PPV), and to compare the outcomes of different silicone oil viscosities used in a cohort of consecutive patients. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative case series of eyes undergoing vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment by a single surgeon using different oil viscosities that were followed for one year with the silicone oil in situ. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications associated with the follow up period were analyzed and compared. Results: Eighty-five eyes of 85 patients were included in this study. Forty three patients had 1000 centistoke (cs) oil injected and 42 patients had 5000cs oil utilized. Demographic, cause of retinal detachment and preoperative ocular characteristics were similar in both groups. Long term complications in both groups included ocular hypertension (67.4% vs 66.7%), keratopathy due to silicone oil emulsification and migration to the anterior chamber (7.0% vs 11.9%), recurrent retinal detachment (4.7% vs 19%) and epiretinal membrane formation (7% vs 19%). In the 1000cs oil group, there was no significant difference between baseline IOP and any subsequent visit. There was a significant difference between baseline IOP and visits at day 1 (with IOP difference of 2.61 mmHg (±6.5)) (p = 0.028), 1 month (with IOP difference of 3.52 mmHg (±8.1)) (p = 0.026), 4 months (with IOP difference of 6.38 mmHg (±9.3)) (p = 0.005), and one year (with IOP difference of 4.24 mmHg (±11.1)) (p = 0.048), all higher in the post-operative period in the 5000cs oil group. Excluding the first post-operative day, no significant difference was found for VA between baseline visits and subsequent visits for either silicone oil groups.

Medical students' involvement in patients' care varies according to patient's willingness, as some might consider it a privacy invasion. Thus, exploring patients' perceptions and attitudes towards this interaction should be thoroughly investigated, to better understand it and to provide evidence-based data for improving the training of future doctors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital. A questionnaire was answered by 420 patients from the out-patients' clinics. Results: Of the patients interviewed, 94% were aware that they were in a teaching hospital, 92% approved the presence of medical students during their consultation and 80% accepted to be observed and examined by medical students in the presence of a senior doctor. However, this decreased to 30.5% if there was no senior doctor. Almost 83% of the patients believed that their consent should be obtained first. However, only 58% of them indicated that the student asked for consent prior to interacting with them. Patients who were more likely to approve the existence of medical students during consultation and allow students to perform procedures on them, respectively, were those who were asked for consent by students (P = 0.001 and P = 0.021), considered seeing medical students' enjoyable (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), thought that their privacy was not violated (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), and were provided with useful information about their health problems (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Conclusion:Patients showed an overall positive stance towards the involvement of medical students in their healthcare. The majority were delighted to see medical students while some expressed concerns over their privacy due to the large number of students and because several students do not ask for their consent. It is essential to apply medical ethics practices together with patient-centered approach.

The aim of this cross-sectional study, that included 146 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, was to evaluate the prevalence, severity and pattern of cutaneous manifestation in Jordanian women with PCOS, as well as their correlation with hormonal abnormalities. A thorough complete cutaneous examination, hormonal assays (Luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], prolactin, total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) and pelvic ultrasonography were done. The most common cutaneous features of PCOS were acne vulgaris (75.3%) followed by hirsutism (59.6%) then seborrhea (43.2%) and androgenetic alopecia (42.5%). Patients who had acne vulgaris presented at a younger age than patients who did not. Patients who had androgenetic alopecia and stria were older than patients with no such features. Moreover, all cutaneous manifestations of PCOS, except for acne, were associated with higher body mass index (BMI). Elevated LH:FSH ratio of more than 2:1 was the most common hormonal abnormality, followed by increased LH and total testosterone. Acne, hirsutism, androgenetic alopecia, seborrhea, acanthosis nigricans and skin tags are common cutaneous manifestations among Jordanian patients with PCOS. The existence of one or more of these features, especially in overweight and obese patients, should alert the physician towards the possibility of having PCOS.

Aim: To assess the association between personality traits by the five-factor model and specialty choice preference among medical students and immediate medical graduates in Jordan and to identify if there were any significant differences in personality profiles between those planning to pursue different career pathways. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including fifthand sixth-year medical students and postgraduate internship doctors at five universities in Jordan. An online survey was used to collect data from participants, which included their general characteristics, their personality profile using the Big Five Inventory-2, and questions about their most preferred specialty choice. Results: One thousand and twelve participants were enrolled in this study. Only 4.9% were interested in pursuing a specialty in basic medical sciences, and about 12% wanted to be nonpracticing medical doctors. Almost half of all participants wanted to pursue a career in surgeryoriented specialties. Those were more extraverted, more conscientious, and had less negative emotions than students who chose medicine-oriented specialties. Students who decided to pursue clinical specialties and students who wanted to be practicing doctors were more extraverted and more conscientious. Conclusion: Medical students and fresh medical graduates from Jordan who exhibited higher extraversion and conscientiousness and lower negative emotions preferred to be practicing clinicians. They were more inclined to pursue a career in surgery-oriented specialties. These findings might be helpful in understanding the preferences of young doctors and in counseling them about their career paths. Medical educators may wish to incorporate personality trait evaluation in planning postgraduate programs.