Evaluation of Bleeding Risk by Hemostatic Parameters in Hemodialysis at the Douala General Hospital: Comparison between Patients on Hemodialysis before 3 Months and after 12 Months

Background: Bleeding disorders are common and may be a life-threating complication among patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), especially for those in hemodialysis (HD). Bleeding risk can be evaluated by hemostatic parameter such as platelet count, prothrombine time (PT) or activated prothromplastin time (aPTT) and may be influenced by duration in HD. Objective: Evaluate bleeding risk in HD patients by analyzing some hemostatic parameters according to duration in dialysis. Patients and methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of 3 months (March to May 2022) in the HD center of the Douala General Hospital. All consenting adult patients with ESKD admitted in HD for less than 3 months or more than 12 months were included. Bleeding risk was evaluated by platelet count, PT, aPTT and fibrinogen. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to compare data and evaluate association with hemostatic disorder. Results: A total of 80 (60% male) patients were included;30 patients were on HD for less than 3 months and 50 for more than 12 months. Median age was 45 [30 - 60] years in the first group and 43 [30 - 55] years in the second group. Increased bleeding risk was noted in 50% (n = 40) of patients and was similar in both groups. Thrombocytopenia was more common in patients on HD ≥ 12 months (20% (n = 6) vs 44% (n = 22), p = 0.02). Prolong aPTT was more common in HD patients ≥ 3 months (OR = 6.6 [1.88 - 23.5], p = 0.0013) and those with HD catheter (OR = 21.3 [4.6 - 45.7], p < 0.001). Fibrinogen and PT were comparable in both groups. HD catheter was associated with prolong PT (OR = 5.3 CI [1.5 - 8.9], p = 0.03). Conclusion: Increased bleeding risk is common in HD patients. Thrombocytopenia is common in HD patients ≥ 12 months, while prolong aPTT are mainly found in HD patients ≤ 3 months with catheter and may reflect heparin overdose.

Electrocardiographic Safety of Daily Hydroxychloroquine 400 mg Plus Azithromycin 250 mg as an Ambulatory Treatment for COVID-19 Patients in Cameroon

Objective: To determine the early electrocardiographic changes in a cohort of ambulatory cameroonian COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychlo- roquine and Azithromycin. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Treatment centres of the city of Yaounde, Cameroon, from May 7th to 24th 2020. Participants: We enrolled 51 consecutive confirmed COVID-19 on RT-PCR who having mild forms of COVID-19 and treated by hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice daily during seven #days plus Azithromycin 500 mg the first day and 250 mg the remaining 4 days as per national standard. Main Outcomes Measures: The primary end-point was the change in QTc interval between day 0 (D0), day 3 (D3) and day 7 (D7). Secondary endpoints were changes in all other cardiac electrical conductivity patterns and the occurrence of clinical arrhythmic events during the course of treatment. Results: The population (29 men and 22 women) was aged 39 ± 11 years (range 17 to 61 years). Mean Tisdale score was 3.35 ± 0.48. No significant change from baseline (D0) of QTc was observed at D7 (429 ± 27 ms at D0 versus 396 ± 26 ms at D7;p = 0.27). A reduction of heart rate was observed between the D0 and D7 (75 ± 13 bpm versus 70 ± 13 bpm, p = 0.02) with increased QRS duration between D0 and D7 (95 ± 10 ms versus 102 ± 17 ms, p = 0.004). No symptomatic arrhythmic events occurred during the treatment course. Conclusions: No life-threatening modification of the QT interval was observed in non-severe COVID-19 patients treated ambulatory with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Studies are needed in critical-ill and older patients.