Editor's note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Center.
Here are the coronavirus stories Medscape's editors around the globe think you need to know about today.
COVID-19 and Blood Type: 'May Be Something Here'
Evidence is mounting that people with Type A blood could be at higher risk for COVID-19 infection and mortality, according to three recent studies, F. Perry Wilson, MD, says in a new video report. At the same time, Type O blood may be somewhat protective.
Wilson shares the possible reasons for these associations, including blood types affecting antibodies or blood clotting factors differently among people with COVID-19.
Although historically most blood type association studies were in the realm of "pseudoscience," this time there "may be something here," he said. One caveat: the data are preliminary, and more research is needed.
How Common and How Deadly Are Comorbidities?
People with COVID-19 and one or more underlying conditions are at six times higher risk for hospitalization and 12 times more likely to die compared to others without any comorbidities, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cardiovascular disease was the most commonly reported comorbidity, followed by diabetes, chronic lung disease, and renal disease. The effect of these underlying conditions did not vary significantly between males and females.
Another study reveals that one in five people globally have an underlying condition that places them at heightened risk for severe COVID-19 infection. The report in Lancet Global Health estimates that 349 million people worldwide would likely require hospitalization for COVID-19. The researchers note that these findings "provide a starting point for considering the number of individuals that might need to be shielded or vaccinated as the global pandemic unfolds."
Drug Companies Race to Test Antibodies Against COVID-19
Could antiviral antibodies prove to be an effective treatment against COVID-19, and might such therapy be available in advance of a vaccine? Some experts say yes. Plus, the results of five studies released earlier this week look promising.
James Crowe, MD, of Vanderbilt University, said such a passive immunity strategy might provide a 6- to-12-month bridge to treat people before widespread availability of other options. In addition, this therapeutic approach might work faster than the active immunity that develops after vaccination.
From a Tweet to the Lancet in 10 Weeks: COVID-Cancer Consortium
A tweet from Aakash Desai, MD, on March 13 called for collaboration on mitigating the risks of cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. From that humble beginning, the COVID-Cancer Consortium (CCC19) initiative was born.
In the 3 months since, CCC19 has ballooned into a crowdsourced registry with input from 110 institutions, 317 collaborators in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, and data from 2300 patients. In addition, the first results were published in the Lancet.
Poll: As Some Reopen, How Are You Changing Your Practice?
Take a quick online poll and share your experiences with your colleagues. How comfortable do you predict your patients will be returning to your physical office? What COVID-19 safety measures do you plan to institute? What's your best guess on a timeline for a vaccine?
It's Official: COVID-19 Was Bad for the Healthcare Business
A new study evaluating the economic pain associated with COVID-19 for clinicians finds the pandemic took a huge cut out of clinicians' bottom lines in March and April.
During those 2 months alone, use of medical professional services dropped by 65% to 68% compared with last year, and estimated revenue fell by 45% to 48%, according to a nonprofit organization that manages a database of 31 billion claim records.
When COVID-19 Disparities and Racial Injustice Collide
If black Americans had died of COVID-19 at the same rate as white Americans, about 13,000 more black Americans would still be alive. The same metric would be 1300 more Latino Americans and 300 more Asian Americans, Clyde Yancy, MD, said during a webinar on healthcare disparities and COVID-19 sponsored by the American College of Cardiology.
"I hope this is a pause moment for everyone. [These numbers] really help us understand the disproportional burden of deaths due to COVID-19 that aligns with race and ethnicity," added Yancy, vice dean for diversity and inclusion, and chief of cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
FDA Revokes COVID-19 Antibody Test Emergency Use Authorization
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked the emergency use authorization (EUA) for one of the first antibody tests authorized during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Concerns over test performance emerged based on data from the manufacturer, Chembio Diagnostic System, and an independent evaluation by the National Cancer Institute.
The agency announced that the DPP COVID-19 IgM/IgG System SARS-CoV-2 antibody test generates a higher than expected rate of false results and higher than that reflected in the authorized labeling for the device.
The move is the second EUA revocation by the FDA this week. On June 15, the agency took similar action regarding treatment of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine.
In Memoriam
As frontline healthcare workers care for patients with COVID-19, they commit themselves to difficult, draining work and also put themselves at risk of infection. More than 1500 throughout the world have died.
Medscape has published a memorial list to commemorate them. We will continue updating this list as, sadly, needed. Please help us ensure this list is complete by submitting names with an age, profession or specialty, and location through this form.
If you would like to share any other experiences, stories, or concerns related to the pandemic, please join the conversation here.
Follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Here's how to send Medscape a story tip.
"type" - Google News
June 18, 2020 at 03:44AM
https://ift.tt/3ea4ejC
COVID-19 Update: Blood Type Link, Comorbidities and Mortality - Medscape
"type" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WhN8Zg
https://ift.tt/2YrjQdq
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "COVID-19 Update: Blood Type Link, Comorbidities and Mortality - Medscape"
Post a Comment