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Conjunctivitis and COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
J Med Virol. 2020 Apr 24;:
Authors: Loffredo L, Pacella F, Pacella E, Tiscione G, Oliva A, Violi F
Abstract
There are sparse data in literature regarding conjunctivitis incidence in COVID-19 and its relationship with disease severity. The objective of this metanalysis was to assess the association between conjunctivitis and the severity of COVID-19 disease.
METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis with studies that included patients with severe vs non-severe form of COVID-19 infection. Severe COVID-19 infection was defined as severe pneumonia, mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), use of mechanical ventilation or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment.
RESULTS: Three studies, including 1167 patients, reported the incidence of conjunctivitis at admission to the hospital. The overall rate of conjunctivitis was 1.1%; it was 3% and 0.7% in severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients, respectively. Patients with severe COVID-19 had an increased incidence of conjunctivitis (O.R.:3.4; 95% C.I.:1.1-10.2; p=0.030).
CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctivitis is more frequent in severe COVID and may be a warning sign of poor outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 32330304 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]