Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) owing to its immunomodulatory effects is believed to influence outcomes in COVID-19. We conducted a prospective, observational study of patients, hospitalized with COVID-19. Serum 25-OHD level < 20 ng/mL was considered VDD. Patients were classified as having mild and severe disease on basis of the WHO ordinal scale for clinical improvement (OSCI). Of the 410 patients recruited, patients with VDD (197,48.2%) were significantly younger and had lesser comorbidities. The levels of PTH were significantly higher in the VDD group (63.5 ± 54.4 vs. 47.5 ± 42.9 pg/mL). The proportion of severe cases (13.2% vs.14.6%), mortality (2% vs. 5.2%), oxygen requirement (34.5% vs.43.4%), ICU admission (14.7% vs.19.8%) was not significantly different between patients with or without VDD. There was no significant correlation between serum 25-OHD levels and inflammatory markers studied. Serum parathormone levels correlated with D-dimer (r 0.117, p- 0.019), ferritin (r 0.132, p-0.010), and LDH (r 0.124, p-0.018). Amongst VDD patients, 128(64.9%) were treated with oral cholecalciferol (median dose of 60,000 IU). The proportion of severe cases, oxygen, or ICU admission was not significantly different in the treated vs. untreated group. In conclusion, serum 25-OHD levels at admission did not correlate with inflammatory markers, clinical outcomes, or mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Treatment of VDD with cholecalciferol did not make any difference to the outcomes.

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Aim: To study the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its association with disease severity in hospitalized patients of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, thyroid function tests (TFT) of 236 hospitalized patients of COVID-19, along with demographic, comorbid, clinical, biochemical, and disease severity records were analysed. Patients were divided into previous euthyroid or hypothyroid status to observe the effect of prior hypothyroidism on severity of COVID-19. Results: TFT abnormalities were common. Low free T3 (FT3), high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and low TSH were seen in 56 (23.7%), 15 (6.4%) and 9 (3.8%) patients, respectively. The median levels of TSH (2.06 vs 1.26 mIU/mL, p=0.001) and FT3 (2.94 vs 2.47 pg/mL, p=0.000) were significantly lower in severe disease. Previous hypothyroid status (n=43) was associated with older age, higher frequency of comorbidities, higher FT4 and lower FT3. TFT did not correlate with markers of inflammation (except lactate dehydrogenase), however, FT3 and TSH negatively correlated with outcome severity score and duration of hospital stay. Cox-regression analysis showed that low FT3 was associated with severe COVID-19 (p=0.032, HR 0.302; CI 0.101-0.904), irrespective of prior hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Functional thyroid abnormalities (low FT3 and low TSH) are frequently seen in hospitalized patients of COVID-19. Although these abnormalities did not correlate with markers of inflammation, this study shows that low FT3 at admission independently predicts severity of COVID-19.

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) owing to its immunomodulatory effects is believed to influence outcomes in COVID-19. We conducted a prospective, observational study of patients, hospitalized with COVID-19. Serum 25-OHD level < 20 ng/mL was considered VDD. Patients were classified as having mild and severe disease on basis of the WHO ordinal scale for clinical improvement (OSCI). Of the 410 patients recruited, patients with VDD (197,48∙2%) were significantly younger and had lesser comorbidities. The proportion of severe cases (13∙2% vs.14∙6%), mortality (2% vs. 5∙2%), oxygen requirement (34∙5% vs.43∙4%), ICU admission (14∙7% vs.19∙8%) was not significantly different between patients with or without VDD. There was no significant correlation between serum 25-OHD levels and inflammatory markers studied. Serum parathormone levels correlated with D-dimer (r 0∙117, p- 0∙019), ferritin (r 0∙132, p-0∙010), and LDH (r 0∙124, p-0∙018). Amongst VDD patients, 128(64.9%) were treated with oral cholecalciferol (median dose of 60000 IU). The proportion of severe cases, oxygen, or ICU admission was not significantly different in the treated vs. untreated group. In conclusion, serum 25-OHD levels at admission did not correlate with inflammatory markers, clinical outcomes, or mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Treatment of VDD with cholecalciferol did not make any difference to the outcomes.

Study Objective: While being supported by national societies, management of lowrisk venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) in the outpatient setting with direct oral anticoagulant medications (DOACs), has yet to become standard of care. We sought to determine the differences between rural and academic hospitals in VTE management and disposition of patients during the COVID pandemic.Methods: This retrospective study used data from a quality improvement database to evaluate the management and treatment of patients diagnosed with VTE in our emergency departments during the COVID pandemic between 9/1/2020 and 2/28/ 2021 in any one of our 6 network locations across NE PA. Three of these sites have affiliations and are considered teaching/academic hospitals, while the other 3 are located in rural settings.Results: Of 454 patients diagnosed with VTE, 291 patients were at our academic hospitals and 163 in our rural hospitals. Data include 235 males and 219 females, with an average age of 58 and 61, respectively. Patients treated for VTE in the rural hospitals had an on average shorter length of stay (LOS) prior to disposition (372 min. rural vs. 404 min. academic, p¼ 0.204). Further, patients seen in rural settings were less likely to be admitted than in academic settings (45.4% (N¼74) rural vs. 59.8% (N¼174) academic admit rate). The 30-day return rate for 'all causes' following an ED visit was almost 2x greater in the rural setting vs. academic (30.7% (N¼50) vs. 17.5% (N¼51), respectively). Despite this, the 30-day return rates attributable to VTE were similar (24% (N¼12) rural, 23.5% (N¼12) academic). At the 6-month mark, return rates attributable to VTE at rural locations were low but had an almost 1.6x higher rate of return (7.7% (N¼2) rural vs 4.8% (N¼3) academic). Rural locations utilized different rates of DOACs, with rural hospitals using rivaroxaban at a 2x higher rate than academic settings (45.3% (N¼34) rural vs 20.2% (N¼36) academic). Apixaban was more frequently used at academic vs rural settings (64.0% (N¼114) academic vs. 41.3% (N¼31) rural). Rural vs academic settings had similar rates of PCP follow-up (89.7% (N¼261) vs 81.6% (N¼133), respectively). Academic settings had an almost 2x higher rate of coagulation clinic follow up vs. rural settings (6.9% (N¼20) vs 3.7% (N¼6), respectively).Conclusions: The findings in this single network study show substantial differences in the management of VTE during the COVID pandemic in rural versus academic settings. Future research involving a more detailed understanding of these differences between rural vs. academic hospital settings is indicated.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of video consultation (VC) for prospective glycemic control against that of in-person clinic visit (IPV) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, cohort study of 96 individuals with type 2 diabetes followed up for a period of ≤6 months. The cohort was divided into two groups depending on the mode of consultation, namely IPV ( n = 48) and VC ( n = 48). Baseline and follow-up characteristics including glycemic profile and lipid profile were compared. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 55.4 ± 13.8 years, median diabetes duration of 8 (0.3-70) years, a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.8 ± 5.8 kg/m 2 , 44 (46.3%) females, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia (HbA1c 8.7% ± 1.9%). Both groups were adequately matched at baseline. At the time of first visit, cessation of previous medications was more frequent in the IPV group (37.5% vs 8.3%; P = 0.001) than in the VC group. Follow-up was earlier in the VC group as compared to the IPV group (43.2 vs 87.9 days; P = 0.000). During the follow-up period, both groups had similar and adequate glycemic (mean HbA1c 7% ± 1%) and lipid profile control. Cox regression model showed that the VC group achieved glycemic control quicker as compared to the IPV group. Conclusions: Telemedicine is an effective mode of consultation for attaining glycemic control during COVID-19 pandemic, possibly owing to the quicker follow-up without the risk of potential in-clinic/hospital exposure to COVID-19.