IntroductionWhile the discovery of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine renewed the hope to restore normal life, the attitude of Health Care Workers (HCWs) towards vaccination and its impact on their life are yet to be evaluated.
MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from late January to mid-February at the MedStar Health Hospitals in Baltimore, Maryland. Eligible HCWs completed the questionnaires anonymously. The primary outcomes were attitudes of HCWs towards vaccination and the impact on HCWs' comfort and anxiety in caring for patients, sleep, mood, attendance of social gatherings, and utilization of health clubs, before and after vaccination.
ResultA total of 300 respondents completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 37.2 years with 37.7% physicians and 45.7% registered nurses. Of the respondents only, 15.7% refused vaccination. The most common reason for refusal was concerns for long-term adverse effects, cited by 59.5%. Following vaccination, comfort level in caring for patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses improved (6.3 (2.8) to 8.2 (2.0), p < 0.005, and 8.4 (2.4) to 9.1 (1.0), p < 0.005, respectively). Additionally, a significant decrease in anxiety was noted in HCWs caring for patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses (5.0 (3.3) vs. 3.5 (3.2), p < 0.005 and 2.7 (3.3) vs. 2.3 (3.4), p = 0.001, respectively). Significant improvement in mood scores (6.9 (2.4) vs. 7.7 (2.1), p < 0.005) and comfort level at social gatherings (4.3 (3.2) vs. 6.3 (3.0), p < 0.005) were also noted.
ConclusionVaccination against COVID-19 resulted in overall improvement in HCWs physical and mental wellbeing.
Cholestatic hepatitis is a rare presentation of thyrotoxicosis potentially confused as an adverse effect of antithyroid therapy. We report a 37-year-old man with cholestatic hepatitis as an initial presentation of Graves' disease. Diagnostic evaluation demonstrated (i) elevated transaminases and alkaline phosphatase (R-factor value: 2.6), and marked cholestasis (total bilirubin: 17.3 mg/dL, direct bilirubin: 9.4 mg/dL); (ii) negative hepatitis, viral, and autoimmune serologies; (iii) normal magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; (iv) liver biopsy with marked cholestasis and no fibrosis; (v) thyroid-stimulating hormone <0.01, fT4 (free thyroxine): 1.5, fT4 (free triiodothyronine): 4.3 and positive thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. Radioiodine uptake scan confirmed Graves' disease. Clinical resolution was achieved with propranolol, prednisone, methimazole, and thyroidectomy.
Adult intensivists have increasing exposure to individuals with congenital diseases surviving into adulthood. Solid knowledge bases and early recognition of the possible sequelae of congenital disorders are crucial in caring for these patients. We present a challenging case of shock and relapse of Diamond-Blackfan anemia in a 42-year-old man lost to follow-up for 18 years and highlighted the importance of healthcare transitions into adulthood and the challenges faced by health care systems to develop new strategies successfully transitioning complex pediatric patients to adult care.
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