Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected patients with preexisting comorbidities, particularly dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of mortality in this population. Methodology: We conducted an observational, retrospective, cohort study collecting data from pre and post-vaccine from the electronic medical records of a single dialysis center at Hygeia International Hospital Tirana, Albania. Results: Of 170 dialysis patients, 52 were diagnosed with COVID-19. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in our study was 30.5%. The mean age was 61.5 ± 12.3 years and 65.4% were men. The mortality rate in our cohort was 19.2%. Mortality rates were higher in patients with diabetic nephropathy (p < 0.04) and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.01). Elevated C- reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.018), high red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (p < 0.03), and low lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, were found to be risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. ROC analysis identified lymphopenia and eosinopenia as the strongest predictors of mortality. After the vaccine administration, the mortality rate in the vaccinated population was 8%, in contrast to the 66.7% mortality rate that was found in the unvaccinated group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 infection were RDW, low lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, elevated levels of CRP. Lymphopenia and eosinopenia were determined as the most important predictors of mortality, in our cohort. Mortality was notably lower among vaccinated patients.

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Background: Although cancer is the disease for which people need palliative care the most, the number of diseases and conditions requiring palliative care has increased and will continue to grow. Palliative care improves health, reduces unnecessary hospitalization as well as overuse of health services. There are several barriers to palliative care access and the main are those related to the public such as: lack of public awareness of palliative care, on their benefits; cultural and social barriers.

Introduction: Skin inflammations that are more common and affect the pediatric age group more are rash, atopic dermatitis, fungal infections, psoriasis. The use of medicinal plants and herbal based preparations in the treatment of skin diseases, results from their impact on several stages of inflammation. The aim of this study was to review the information about the effects and anti-inflammatory activity, of medicinal plants and their preparations related to the treatment of most frequent skin inflammations in the pediatric age group, and to assess the trend of use of herbal remedies for these inflammations from our population. Methodology: For the realization of this descriptive and analytical study, multiple sources of information were used for the literature review, as well as through a random questionnaire conducted in a sample of 120 pharmacies in country. The data was collected from the pharmacists ‘responses and was analyzed specifically for the skin inflammations of pediatric age groups and the use of herbal preparations for the treatment of this disorders. Results: From the literature review the most frequent skin inflammations in the pediatric age group identified were rash, atopic dermatitis, fungal infections, folliculitis, furuncle, carbuncles. During the last years, among the medicinal plants mostly used locally for skin treatment are Matricaria Recutita, Calendula officinalis, Aloe Vera, Echinacea purpurea, Oenothera biennis, etc. From the completed questionnaire, a significant part of pharmacists (45%), reported that the most common skin inflammations in pediatric age presented in pharmacy are atopic dermatitis, rash for 17% of them, and fungal infections (12%). Regarding the way of using these preparations, 57% of them reported that they are used locally as combined therapy with the conventional one. Pharmacists reported that herbal preparations mostly used locally are those with Aloe Vera (31%), 13% of them reported those with Calendula officinalis and 5% of them reported preparations with Matricaria Recutita. Meanwhile, 48% of them reported that combined preparations of these herbs were used. Pharmacists are mostly the ones who suggest the use of these herbal based preparations (48.31%). Also, 65% of them think that the use of herbal based preparations for the treatment of skin inflammations in the pediatric age group has increased in recent years. Conclusions: Medicinal plants are rich with active ingredients and can be effective for the treatment of skin inflammations in the pediatric age group. As their use has increased in recent years, further research is needed regarding the efficacy, safety, optimal uses, and standardization of herbal preparations.