Purpose This study aimed to determine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Materials and Methods This is an experimental study. Its data were collected in the infectious diseases clinic of a research hospital from May to August, 2020. This study was carried out with 67 COVID‐19 patients (33 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group). The data were collected using a personal information form, the state‐trait anxiety inventory, and the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. The progressive muscle relaxation exercises were performed twice a day for 5 days with the researcher's supervision. The data were analyzed using means, numbers, percentage distributions, the χ² test, the dependent t test, and the independent t test. Results Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups' mean posttest scores on the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (p < 0.05). The in‐group comparison of the experimental group found a statistically significant difference between their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p < 0.05). The in‐group comparison of the control group found no statistically significant changes in their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p > 0.05). Conclusion The progressive muscle relaxation exercises effectively reduced the anxiety and improved the sleep quality of patients with COVID‐19.

Background: Determining a relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the ECG findings of the patients with this disease can assist in early diagnosis and patient management based on these findings. This study aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 patients had characteristic ECG findings in the acute period. Methods: A total of 124 patients were divided into two groups as those diagnosed with COVID-19 and controls. The ECGs of these patients were evaluated in terms of rate, rhythm, presence of ST changes, PR interval, QRS width, QTc and QT interval, and presence of right and left bundle branch blocks. Results: On the ECG, the median heart rate of the COVID-19 patients was 104/min (IQR: 99–114), and there was a significant difference compared to the control group (P<0.001). The median PR interval was 157/ms, the QRS width was 86 ± 9/ms in the COVID-19 patients, with no significant difference compared to the controls (P = 0.161 and P = 0.631, respectively). The median QT interval of the COVID-19 patients was normal (400/ms), but a significant difference was detected compared to the controls (P = 0.005). The QTc, ST change, AF, and presence of right and left bundle branch blocks were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Considering the importance of ECG findings in order to diagnose COVID-19 disease early, we can state that sinus tachycardia is very common in COVID-19 patients, but there is no characteristic ECG finding for COVID-19, including tachycardia.

The population is aging, and cases of geriatric trauma are becoming increasingly common. Home accidents represent a significant public health problem for older individuals. It is imperative that we recognize the special considerations that must be taken into account to provide appropriate care. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with home accidents among individuals aged 60 and over in Türkiye. The study involved a descriptive and causal-comparative quantitative research design. Microdata obtained from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2019 and 2022 were used, with a sample size of 8,225 older adults. A stratified two-step cluster sampling method was employed. The study’s dependent variable was the occurrence of home accidents, measured by means of the question “Have you experienced a home accident resulting in injury in the last 12 months? (Yes, No).” The independent variables were those available in the Türkiye Health Survey. Frequencies and percentages were obtained considering the home accident occurrence and years among the older participants. Binary logistic regression (enter) analyses were then applied to identify the risk factors affecting home accidents in older individuals. The probability of home accidents in 2019 and 2022 was 50.2% and 50.4% higher, respectively, in women compared to men. The probability of home accidents among older individuals who were illiterate or had not completed any schooling was 67.4% lower than those educated to elementary school level or higher in 2019. Home accidents were 42% less likely among married older individuals, and 24.4% less probable among employed individuals, in 2022. The probability of home accidents among older individuals with arthrosis was 65.7% lower in 2019 compared to those without arthrosis. Individuals of advanced age are susceptible to accidents in their domestic environments. A wide spectrum of factors contributes to the occurrence of such accidents. The prevention of home accidents requires an awareness of the risk factors involved, an enhancement of programs designed to facilitate healthy aging, and an increased emphasis on preventive measures. Some lifestyle modifications (exercise, nutritional therapy, home design, and the use of assistive devices) can be employed to minimise the risk factors for falls in older individuals, and the medications they use for morbid conditions should be reviewed. Improving the self-care skills of the geriatric population, educating and supporting the older adult and their carers will reduce the number of traumatic injuries requiring hospitalisation.

Objective: Asymptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 can present with signs of various diseases to hospitals. We aimed to present patients who presented to the emergency department without any coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms and were incidentally diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 in addition to the diagnosis related to their complaints on presentation. Materials and Methods: The study included patients presented to the emergency department of a hospital in Erzurum (Turkey) with non-coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms and were incidentally diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 on the basis of their chest computed tomography findings. The patients’ primary diagnoses were evaluated, and a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the incidental coronavirus disease 2019 diagnoses. Results: The 42 patients included in the study had various complaints, and the most common complaint was abdominal pain in 8 patients (19%). The other complaints were at different rates. The most common diagnose was ST-elevated myocardial infarction in 6 patients (14.3%), and the other diagnoses were rib fracture in 3 patients (7.1%) and other similar diseases in the remaining patients. Conclusion: Patients with highly the contagious coronavirus disease 2019 can sometimes be asymptomatic and can be incidentally diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 after presenting to emergency departments with symptoms and manifestations other than those of coronavirus disease 2019. Therefore, healthcare professionals working in the emergency department should approach all patients who present to the emergency service as potential coronavirus disease 2019 carriers and wear their protective equipment and take necessary precautions. Cite this article as: Gur A, Tekin E, Ozlu I. Analysis of Incidentally Diagnosed Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 at the Emergency Department: Single-Center Clinical Experience. Eurasian J Med 2021; 53(2): 114-7.

Aim: Although the RT-PCR test of pharyngeal swabs is the gold standard for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19), radiological imaging techniques, particularly thoracic computerized tomography (CT) were also used frequently as needed during the pandemic. The aim of this study is to investigate thorax CT findings in patients with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR and to evaluate its relationship with clinical features. Methods: This study included 311 consecutive patients who were hospitalized between April 1, 2020, and June 1, 2020, with COVID 19 diagnosis based on RT-PCR (+) results and underwent a thorax CT within 24-48 hours of admission. Symptoms, clinical status, co-morbidities of the patients were evaluated. Thorax CT findings were assessed by the Department of Radiology and the results were analyzed in relation to clinical status of the PCR (+) patients. Results: The study group consisted of 170 male (57.7%) and 141 female (42.3%) patients with mean age 46.7 ± 33.7 years. Among the COVID 19 cases, 51 (16.4%) were asymptomatic, clinical course was mild-moderate in 197 (63.3%) and severe in 63(20.3%). During follow-up 21 (6.8%) required intensive care and 10 (3.2%) died. The most common symptoms observed were cough (33.4%), weakness (30.2%) and fever (28%). The most commonly encountered co-morbidity in COVID-19 patients was hypertension (10.3%) followed by diabetes mellitus (7.7%), coronary artery disease (5.1%). Thorax CT findings were assessed as normal in 21.9% of the patients; viral pneumonia was detected in 20.9% and 27.7% were reported as compatible with COVID 19. Bilateral involvement was seen on CT scan in 49.2% of the patients. In regard to thorax CT imaging characteristics that suggest COVID 19 disease, the most common was ground-glass opacities observed in 181 (27.2%) and the least common was vascular enlargement in 4(0.6%) of the patients. Conclusion: COVID 19 is an air-borne disease that primarily affects the lungs. Thus, it is essential to define radiological lung involvement. The common CT findings of COVID 19 disease are similar to other viral pulmonary infections. The clinicians being familiar with common imaging features of COVID 19 would contribute to earlier detection and thus reduced mortality associated with the disease.