The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of ocular manifestations in hemodialysis (HD) patients and short‐term changes in ophthalmologic findings. A total of 142 eyes of 71 HD patients were included in this study. Patients with corneal and conjunctival deposits, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, cataract, optic atrophy, or glaucoma were recorded. Schirmer I tests and the tear break up time (TBUT) were performed in the listed order to evaluate dry eye. Axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured using ultrasound biometry using an infrared system. The TBUT test, Schirmer I test, intraocular pressure, AL, and ACD were applied within 30 minutes before and after a single session of HD. The most common ocular findings included conjunctival calcification (60.6%), cataract (50.7%), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (21.1%). The average TBUT results decreased from 10.81 ± 4.90 to 9.43 ± 4.78 seconds after HD, and was statistically significant (P < .001). The mean Schirmer I test results decreased from 13.59 ± 4.67 to 12.07 ± 4.86 mm after HD. The decline in the Schirmer I test results was statistically significant (P = .005). The mean intraocular pressure decreased from 14.57 ± 4.40 to 13.43 ± 3.91 mm Hg after HD, and was statistically significant (P < .001). The mean ACD increased from 3.19 ± 0.53 to 3.25 ± 0.55 mm, and the mean AL increased from 23.05 ± 1.35 to 23.13 ± 1.35 mm, both increases being significant after HD (both P < .001). Eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, corneo‐conjunctival calcification, and dry eye are common in HD patients; these patients should undergo early and frequent eye examinations.

Background Laboratory biomarkers to estimate the severity of COVID‐19 are crucial during the pandemic, since resource allocation must be carefully planned. Aim In the present study, we aim to evaluate the effects of basal serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and changes in inflammatory parameters on the clinical progression of patients hospitalized with COVID‐19. Methods Patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID‐19 were included in the study. Laboratory data and total IgE levels were measured upon admission. Lymphocyte, eosinophil, ferritin, d‐dimer and CRP parameters were recorded on the baseline and on the 3 rd and 14 th days of hospitalization. Results The study enrolled 202 patients, of which 102(50.5%) were males. The average age was 50.17 ± 19.68. Of the COVID‐19 patients, 41 (20.3%) showed clinical progression. Serum total IgE concentrations were markedly higher (172.90 [0‐2124] vs 38.70 [0‐912], p<0.001) and serum eosinophil levels were significantly lower (0.015 [0‐1.200] vs 0.040 [0‐1.360], p=0.002) in clinically worsened COVID‐19 patients when compared to stable patients. The optimal cut‐off for predicting clinical worsening was 105.2 ng/L; with 61% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 46.3% positive predictive value and 89.2% negative predictive value (area under the curve=0.729). Multivariable analysis to define risk factors for disease progression identified higher total IgE and CRP levels as independent predictors. Conclusions Our single‐center pilot study determined that total IgE levels may be a negative prognostic factor for clinical progression in patients hospitalized due to COVID‐19 infection. Future studies are required to determine the impact of individuals' underlying immune predispositions on outcomes of COVID‐19 infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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