Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular testing in Asia: the IAEA INCAPS-COVID study

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected management of cardiovascular disease around the world. The effect of the pandemic on volume of cardiovascular diagnostic procedures is not known. OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate the effects of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diagnostic procedures and safety practices in Asia. METHODS The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey to assess changes in cardiovascular procedure volume and safety practices caused by COVID-19. Testing volumes were reported for March 2020 and April 2020 and were compared to those from March 2019. Data from 180 centers across 33 Asian countries were grouped into 4 subregions for comparison. RESULTS Procedure volumes decreased by 47% from March 2019 to March 2020, showing recovery from March 2020 to April 2020 in Eastern Asia, particularly in China. The majority of centers cancelled outpatient activities and increased time per study. Practice changes included implementing physical distancing and restricting visitors. Although COVID testing was not commonly performed, it was conducted in one-third of facilities in Eastern Asia. The most severe reductions in procedure volumes were observed in lower-income countries, where volumes decreased 81% from March 2019 to April 2020. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia caused significant reductions in cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, particularly in low-income countries. Further studies on effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes and changes in care delivery are warranted

Radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism in the male patient

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Palliative treatment of metastatic bone pain: An overview

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Characteristics and Determinants of Patients Discontinuation of Breast Cancer Follow-Up Care at the Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Objectives. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics and predictors of discontinuation during follow-up care among breast cancer patients at the Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. Methodology. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 504 patients with histological diagnosis of breast cancer referred for radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall. Data extraction form was used to obtain information on sociodemographic and disease related variables and time to discontinuation of care. Discontinuation rates and its predictors were estimated using Kaplan-Meier, Log rank test, and Cox’s regression method of analyses. Results. Five hundred and four breast cancer patients were studied. The mean age was 47.7years, 58.2% presented late with advanced stage disease, and 40% and 39% had metastasis and anaemia, respectively. Seventy-seven percent of patients discontinued follow-up care before completion of ten-year period. The 5-year and 10-year discontinuation rates were 69.8% and 92.6%, respectively. The median discontinuation time was 44 months. Discontinuers were more likely to be older than the age of 45years HR=1.415; 95% CI= 1.044 - 1.917, have metastasis HR=1.793; 95% CI=1.396 - 2.302, be anaemic HR=1.404; 95% CI = 1.120 - 1.760), and have late-stage disease HR=1.310; 95% CI = 1.407-1.639). Conclusion. Breast cancer care discontinuation is associated with late presentation and advanced stage of disease. Therefore a system of community follow-up care and public awareness about breast cancer symptoms is recommended to reduce late presentation and discontinuity of care

Assessment of the attitude of nuclear medicine staff towards patient care at a nuclear medicine centre in Nigeria

Introduction: The mutual relationship between health care providers and their clients (patients) is very important in achieving the desired result in seeking health care services by the patients. The crucial qualities in the patientpersonnel relationship are effective communication, care, empathy, respect and trust. These are major components of attitude of personnel towards patients but there is a strong widespread negative attitude of health care providers towards patients. While it had also been shown that the level of knowledge of healthcare providers (healthcare workers) significantly determines their attitudes towards their clients, the attitude of medical professionals towards patient care has largely been ignored in studies so we decided to assess the attitude of medical personnel in nuclear medicine. Methods: A self applied structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from the research population of patients who came to access nuclear medicine services in the department. Data were collected using the research instrument and were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (SPSS, Inc. Chicago Ill) using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis respectively. Results: Majority of respondents rated the attitude of Nuclear Medicine staff in this department as positive. The result also showed that the attitude of health care providers (or health care professionals) correlates positively with clients’ satisfaction. Conclusion: We conclude that majority of the Patients were satisfied with the attitude of Nuclear Medicine Staff towards Patients Care and hence, were satisfied with the health services provide