Human C-reactive protein (>99%)

Purpose Evaluate chest computed tomography (CT) findings of laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and correlate it with clinical and laboratorial signs of severe disease and short-term outcome. Methods Chest CTs of 61 consecutive cases of COVID-19 disease that attended in our emergency department (ED) were reviewed. Three groups of patients classified according to the short-term follow-up were compared: (1) early-discharged from ED, (2) hospitalized on regular wards, and (3) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). CT findings were also correlated with clinical and laboratorial features associated with severe disease. Results Median age was 52 years (IQR 39-63) with male predominance (60.7%). Most of the patients that did not require hospitalization had parenchymal involvement of less than 25% on CT (84.6%). Among hospitalized patients, interlobular septal thickening and extensive lung disease (> 50% of parenchyma) were significantly more frequent in ICU-admitted patients (P = 0.018 andP = 0.043, respectively). Interlobular septal thickening also correlated with longer ICU stay (P = 0.018). Low oxygen saturation (SpO(2) <= 93%) was associated with septal thickening (P = 0.004), diffuse distribution (P = 0.016), and pleural effusion (P = 0.037) on CT. All patients with > 50% of parenchymal involvement showed SpO(2) <= 93%. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (> 5.0 mg/dL) correlated with consolidation (P = 0.002), septal thickening (P = 0.018), diffuse distribution (P = 0.020), and more extensive parenchymal involvement (P = 0.017). Conclusion Interlobular septal thickening on CT was associated with ICU admission and longer stay on ICU. Diffuse distribution, septal thickening, and more extensive lung involvement correlated with lower SpO(2)and higher CRP levels. Patients that needed hospitalization and ICU admission presented more extensive lung disease on CT.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with clinical and psychological factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany and in Brazil. Method A convenience sample of 267 RA patients, 176 from Germany (age 62.4 +/- 12.3 years) and 91 from Brazil (age 56.3 +/- 12.6 years), was used in this cross-sectional study. The following questionnaires were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), painDETECT test, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, fatigue questionnaire (FACIT), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the SF-36 questionnaires (Short-Form 36 Health Survey). Disease activity score (DAS 28-CRP) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were also evaluated. Statistical analysis is based on comparison of means and proportions. Statistical significance for non-normal data was evaluated by non-parametrical tests. Results Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in the Brazilian sample (44% vs 22.9%, p = 0.025). Compared to German patients, the Brazilian ones also experienced more pain (current pain status on VAS: 4.67 +/- 3.4 vs 3.67 +/- 2.31 respectively, p < 0.01), were physically more limited (1.89 +/- 1.85 vs 1.01 +/- 0.75, p = 0.012), and had higher C-reactive protein levels (7.78 +/- 18.3 vs 5.82 +/- 10.45, p = 0.028). Despite receiving a more intensive treatment, German patients presented similar disease activity when compared to Brazilian patients (DAS28-CRP: Brazil 3.4 +/- 1.5 vs Germany 3.3 +/- 1.3, p = 0.307). Conclusion Depressive symptoms are frequent in RA patients from different countries and interact with psychological disorders and the experience of pain. They contribute negatively to their well-being suggesting the need for psychoeducational strategies.