Introduction There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID‐19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. Material and methods During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. Results Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. Conclusions The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them.

Article abstract-Hereditary amyloidoses form a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal dominantly inherited diseases characterized by the deposit of unsoluble protein fibrils in the extracellular matrix. They typically present with polyneuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, autonomic insufficiency, and cardiomyopathy and gastrointestinal features, occasionally accompanied by vitreous opacities and renal insufficiency. Other phenotypes are characterized by nephropathy, gastric ulcers, cranial nerve dysfunction, and corneal lattice dystrophy. Rarely, involvement of the leptomeningeal or cerebral structures dominates the clinical picture. The age at onset is as early as 17 and as late as 78 years. The basic constituents of amyloid fibrils are physiologic proteins that have become amyloidogenic through genetically determined conformation changes. Mutated transthyretin (TTR), formerly termed prealbumin, is the most frequent offender in hereditary amyloidosis. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) stops the progression of the disease, which is otherwise invariably fatal, by removing the main production site of the amyloidogenic protein. The indications for OLT and its success depend on the grade of cardiovascular and autonomic dysfunction at the time of surgery, age, comorbidity, and type of mutation. Alternative treatment modalities with drugs stabilizing the native tetrameric conformation of TTR and inhibiting fibril formation are currently being intensively studied.

PRGF led to symptom improvement in patients with moderate/severe dry eye. Surprisingly, the symptoms recorded in the dry eye questionnaire do not always agree with the degree of squamous metaplasia measured by impression cytology.

RCES has various etiologies, which explains the variety in the clinical presentation of the disorder. Interestingly, a significant number of RCES patients begin to manifest the syndrome after keratorefractive surgery, and a high percentage of patients also present with MGD.