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Purpose: Increased workload and inadequate working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, threaten the lives and physical well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs), and also their mental health, such as burnout, etc. which is often neglected. The aim of this review is to analyze published studies on the proportion of burnout among HCWs during the first wave of the COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies that reported burnout (measured by Maslach Burnout Inventory) among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and WOS of relevant articles up to Feb 25th, 2021. Out of 145 non-duplicate studies, 10 were included in the metaanalysis. Results: The overall estimated pooled proportion for emotional exhaustion (EE) was 31% (95% CI: 24%-40%), for depersonalization (DP) was 28% (95% CI: 23%-38%) and 22% (95% CI: 13%-34%) for personal accomplishment (PA). The results show that in countries where the number of cases is high and the number of beds and doctors is low, the level of EE appears to be slightly lower and PA is slightly higher. However, there were no significant differences according to subgroup analyses. Conclusion: Evidence from early studies highlight the fact that a significant proportion of HCWs suffers from burnout during this pandemic. It will be necessary to pay close attention to HCWs' mental health and identify ways to reduce risks and prepare a rehabilitation program for the HCWs during and after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated the effects of hypokalemia on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with Covid-19 pneumonia. Materials and Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we recorded characteristics of hospitalized covid-19 pneumonia patients and laboratory test results on the first hospital day. Duration of hospitalization, requiring intensive care including mechanical ventilation and survival, were determined. Results: Our study included 185 patients and of them 111 male (60% male) patients with mean age of 64 ± 14.5 (23- 90). Patients were grouped as hypokalemic (16.8%) and normokalemic patients (83.2%). The number of diabetic patients was higher in the normokalemic group. Serum total protein and albumin levels were lower in hypokalemic group, while alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, blood pH and bicarbonate level were higher. In multiple logistic regression analyses, alkalosis increased risk of hypokalemia 5.73 times. Duration of hospitalization, requirement of intensive care and hospital mortality were similar in hypokalemia and normokalemia patients. Conclusion: In patients with Covid-19 pneumonia, hypokalemia has been found to be quite common as high as 16.8% at the first presentation. Hypokalemia was related to metabolic alkalosis but unrelated to the duration of hospitalization, requirement of intensive care including mechanical ventilation and hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Periesophageal vagal plexus injury is a complication of cryoablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cryoablation on esophageal functions and to determine the relationship between esophageal temperature and esophageal motility. Methods: Twenty patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF who underwent cryoablation were included in this study. The lowest cryoballoon temperature for each pulmonary vein (PV) was recorded. Esophageal temperature was measured using an esophageal probe during each cryoapplication. Esophageal manometry was performed before the procedure and one day after the procedure for each patient in order to assess the esophageal functions. Results: During the procedure, the highest esophageal temperature change was found in the left-side PVs in 13 patients (65%) and in the rightside PVs in seven patients (35%). No correlation was found between the lowest cryoballoon temperature and esophageal temperature change (r=0.22, p=0.05). It was detected that the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and esophageal contraction amplitude pressure decreased after the procedure (before: 19.7±9.3 mm Hg, after: 14.3±4.9 mm Hg, p=0.001; before: 84.5±28.3 mm Hg, after: 72.7±34.3 mm Hg, p=0.005, respectively). Five patients (25%) developed gastrointestinal symptoms after the procedure. Conclusion: During cryoablation, esophageal temperature measurement can be performed to reduce the probability of esophageal injury. Cryoablation affects esophageal motility, and esophageal manometry can be performed to detect esophageal motility impairments in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]