Search

Objective: Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue are thought to influence the manifestations of COVID-19. We aimed to determine whether a previous history of tonsillectomy, as a surrogate indicator of a dysfunctional pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue, could predict the presentation and course of COVID-19., Methods: Multicentric cross-sectional observational study involving seven hospitals in Northern and Central Italy. Data on the clinical course and signs and symptoms of the infection were collected from 779 adults who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and analysed in relation to previous tonsillectomy, together with demographic and anamnestic data., Results: Patients with previous tonsillectomy showed a greater risk of fever, temperature higher than 39°C, chills and malaise. No significant differences in hospital admissions were found., Conclusions: A previous history of tonsillectomy, as a surrogate indicator of immunological dysfunction of the pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue, could predict a more intense systemic manifestation of COVID-19. These results could provide a simple clinical marker to discriminate suspected carriers and to delineate more precise prognostic models., (Copyright © 2021 Società Italiana di Otorinolaringoiatria e Chirurgia Cervico-Facciale, Rome, Italy.)

Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to estimate the survival trend of patients implanted with VDD pacemakers, and to compare it with the survival curve of the general population of the same region., Methods: Ninety-seven patients (65 male, mean age 78 +/- 6 years) with advanced atrioventricular block referred to our institution were implanted with single-lead VDD pacemakers. All patients were stimulated at the right ventricular apex. At each follow-up visit, a clinical examination was performed and telemetric data collected. In case of death, the family was contacted to record the cause of death. Data on the survival probability of the general population in the Marche Region were obtained from the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)., Results: During the follow-up (mean 7 +/- 6 years), 17 patients (17.5%) died and eight patients (8.2%) developed atrial fibrillation. Atrioventricular synchrony was 97 +/- 3% in the overall patient population, excluding patients with atrial fibrillation. Only one patient was upgraded to DDD pacing owing to symptomatic loss of atrial sensing; after the upgrading procedure symptoms disappeared. During the follow-up period, 19 pacemakers were replaced for end of life of the battery. Patients who died during follow-up were aged 80 +/- 7 years at implantation and 85 +/- 6 years at death. The comparison between the trend line simulating the patient survival probability of the studied VDD population, and the survival probability of males in the Marche Region did not show any significant difference., Conclusions: In patients chronically paced with a single-lead VDD system, survival probability seems to be similar to that of the general population.