The Perspective of Covid-19 Vaccines: What Needs to Be Known and Its Expected Effect on the Human Population?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a devastating blow to the entire world community and changes the order of human life. Purpose: All efforts and strategies are being carried out to contain and reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by tightening the health protocol and using vaccines for the public. Currently, several vaccines are available and have passed phase 3 clinical trials, such as vector vaccines (Gamaleya Sputnik V Russia, University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, CanSino, and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies), mRNA-based vaccines (Moderna/BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer), inactivated vaccines (Sinovac and Sinopharm from China, Covaxin from Bharat Biotech India) and adjuvanted recombinant protein nanoparticles (Novavax from the USA), which are expected to be able to suppress the spread of the virus and produce a minimum of 70% herd immunity in a population. This study uses a narrative review from reputable publications and is closely related to the topic. Result: Each vaccine’s efficacy varies from the lowest, namely, the Sinovac vaccine (CoronaVac) 50%, to the highest the Novavax vaccine (NVX-Cov2373) 96% effectivity value. However, further rigorous research is still being carried out to develop an effective and efficient vaccine. Health workers are the last bastion to handle COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The primary purpose of the present immunization is to prevent and minimize the spread of COVID-19. At this time, the availability of a variety of vaccines is expected to provide strategic answers to the pandemic scenario that has afflicted countries all over the world.

Clinical critics in the management of diabetes mellitus

There is a global epidemic of diabetes with its prevalence expected to increase from 5.1% in 2003 to 6.3% in 2025. This increase in diabetes is occurring in all nations, however, developing nations are particularly at risk. It spares no group and affects men, women, the elderly, young and people from very racial and socio-economic background. Nevertheless, certain ethnic groups including Asians are affected more than Caucasians. Large randomized clinical trials have shown that improvement in glycaemic control, together with management of diabetes-related risk factors like blood pressure and lipid control significantly reduce the micro and macro complications in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Patient education plays a crucial role in the prevention of diabetic fool problems. In Geneva, the rate of lower limb amputations was reduced by almost 75% after an educational intervention. People with diabetes must acquire the knowledge and skills through education to provide daily self-care in diabetes management which involves maintenance of healthy living, recognition and management of diabetes problems when they arise and taking preventive measures. Some factors include patients’ biomedical variables, the psychosocial environment, the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of patients themselves, home careers and health care providers, healthcare systems’ accessibility and availability and even the national political context may influence these self-care behaviors.

Prediction and rate of infections in diabetes mellitus patients with diabetes ketoacidosis in Penang, Malaysia

Study aimed to determine the rate and prediction of infection in diabetes mellitus patients ≥18 year, with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Retrospective cohort study design was adopted to achieve the objectives. Universal sampling technique was employed for data collection among Diabetes ketoacidosis patients, over a period of 3 years (Jan 2008-Dec 2010). Statistical package for social sciences used to analyze data. Over a 3-year period, total of 967 admissions were identified. Of it, 112 (11.6%) with no infection, 679 (70.2%) with bacterial infection and 176 (18.2%) with presumed viral infection. The mean WBC for all the patients was 18,177 (±9431). 721 (74.6%) had leukocytosis, as defined by a WBC ≥ 15,000/mm3. WBC, differential, leukocytosis, as well as sex, temperature were not significant predictors (p > 0.05) of bacterial infection. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference of age between the 3 groups, age above 57 years have high rate of infection as compared to age below and equal 57 years. The infection rate in elderly patients with DKA was high and majority of them had lack of clinical evidence. Major bacterial infections with potential serious sequel were particularly common (33.3%), among every third patient being presumed to have serious consequences.

Pharmacist intervention in home care program for diabetes patients

Majority of research reports identified moderate reduction in glycated haemoglobin with education interventions regardless of age group. Our study objective was to evaluate the pharmacist interventions in providing patient home care. A 24-week longitudinal quasi-experimental—pre-test/post-test study design was used to assess the effectiveness of a diabetes education program to enhance self-care practices. A double-blinded randomized study design was considered but was not feasible as the investigator was responsible for implementing the intervention and collecting data on outcomes. Since this was a longitudinal study a 25% attrition rate was included in the calculation of sample size. Hence the sample size for the proposed study was 106 subjects with 53 subjects in each group. All analyses were done using SPSS version 18?. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The Research Ethics Committee of hospital and the Malaysian Medical Research and Ethics Committee approved the study. Of the 109 subject who met the study-entry criteria, 3 subjects declined to participate due to lack of time and interest. There was no significant relationship between the demographic and clinical characteristic of participants who completed the study. No significant relationship between the intervention and control groups who completed the study in demographic, clinical and psychosocial contexts. Of the 47 subjects from the intervention group who reported adherent to their daily medication intake after the education intervention, 51 subjects (31.9%) reported taking their medication at the wrong time. The recommended times for oral anti-hyperglycemic medication (OAM) are: sulphonylureas 30 minutes before food, acarbose with food, metformin with or within 30 minutes after food. This research has shown a brief structured education program that incorporated behavior science specifically self-efficacy was effective in enhancing self-care practices (SMBG and medication adherence) and improving glycaemic control in the intervention group.