Background Recent data display the possible role of cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-17 and IL-23 as a link between dyslipidemia and atopy; however, the relationship between dyslipidemia, allergic rhinitis (AR), and the underlying mechanisms involved is unclear. Purpose To measure the lipid profile and IL-17A level in AR patients in comparison to healthy controls, and correlate serum lipid level with the severity of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of AR patients. Patients and Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from AR patients (n=70) and a control group (n=80). Samples were analyzed for serum total IgE by ELISA, serum lipid profile, and IL-17A level by ELISA. Severity of AR symptoms was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the rhinoconjunctivitis QoL questionnaire. Results Serum lipid profile and level of IL-17A in AR patients were significantly higher in comparison to controls (P < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between total cholesterol (TC) and the severity of AR and QoL. IL-17A was positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) level and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.011, r =0.303; P=0.043, r =0.242, respectively). Additionally, IL-17A was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level ( P =0.036, r =−0.251). IL-17A was positively correlated with both age and VAS score with statistical significance (P=0.033, r =0.225; P=0.011, r =0.302, respectively). Conclusion Dyslipidemia might play a potential role in the severity of AR symptoms and impairment of patients’ QoL. Highlighting this association might alert physicians to evaluate the lipid profile in AR patients for timely diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia in an attempt to improve disease control and improve QoL.

Background Although cumulative data strongly suggest an association between dyslipidemia and allergic disorders, especially asthma, evidence regarding allergic rhinitis (AR) is lacking. We aimed to assess frequency and associated risk factors of dyslipidemia among patients with AR. Methods The current study is a cross-sectional study that recruited 150 AR patients by systematic randomization. Blood samples for serum lipid profile, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and serum interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were withdrawn from all patients. Results Dyslipidemia was prevalent in 84 AR patients (56%). Higher levels of total IgE, IL17-A, and sensitization to hay dust and mixed mites significantly increased the risk of dyslipidemia among AR patients by 1.004, 1.062, 4.057 and 3.652 respectively ( P < 0.05). Conclusion High serum total IgE level, high serum IL-17A level, and sensitization to hay dust and mixed mites are independent risk factors for dyslipidemia among AR patients.

Introduction Anosmia is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, the link between severity of chest infection and anosmia was investigated by few studies. Objectives To find an association between anosmia and severity of chest infection. Methods An analysis of patients admitted to isolation hospital of our university with confirmed polymerase chain reaction positive testing for COVID-19, between March 2021 until September 2021. We called all patients who reported anosmia during their time of illness and asked them about anosmia. We examined their chest CT. A statistical analysis was done. Results A total of 140 patients completed the study; 65% were female and 56.4% had complete anosmia. Anosmia was significantly associated with loss of taste. Smell returned in 92.5% of anosmic patients. Duration of smell loss was ∼ 2 weeks in 40.5%. The most common symptoms associated with anosmia were running nose, sore throat, fever, and cough. Loss of smell was significantly associated with mild chest disease. 73.4% of anosmic patients had mild chest infection, 21.5% of them had moderate infection, and 5.1% had severe chest infection. Conclusion The pattern of anosmia in COVID-19 patients has some common similarities in general; the way it starts, the associated symptoms, the time until smell returns and, the most important, the severity of chest infection. As anosmia is significantly associated with mild chest infection. the presence of anosmia could be an independent predictor of good COVID-19 outcome as reflected by a lower disease severity and less frequent ICU admissions.

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Introduction: Burnout syndrome (BO) is an increasingly serious problem among physicians. It is highly prevalent in health care settings .The impact of burnout not only affects physicians but extends to their patients if the quality of medical care delivered had been affected. Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept affected by all life aspects of individuals. Aim of work: To assess the prevalence of BO syndrome among resident physicians working in Zagazig University hospitals, to assess their quality of life (QoL), to identify some risks factors of BO and to study the effect of BO on QoL. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Zagazig University hospitals on one hundred sixty eight resident physicians. Socio-demographic characteristics, Maslach BO scale and 12-Item Short-Form Survey Instrument version 2 (SF-12v2) questionnaires were collected from studied physicians. Results: the largest percentage of studied physicians had emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), loss of personal accomplishment (PA) and high total BO score (53, 64.3, 75 and 67.3%) respectively. There are significant differences between gender, social class, marital status, department and total BO score. Physicians with higher BO reported lower QoL score. Physicians working in surgical departments reported significantly lower score in each domain. Male gender and single physicians reported significantly lower Mental Component Summary score (MCS) of QoL. Conclusion: All resident physicians suffered from moderate to high BO syndrome. Being male resident, single and working in surgical departments were the predictors of BO. Residents working in medical departments had better physical and mental QoL.