Conjunctivitis is more frequent in severe COVID-19

Objectives:
There are sparse data in literature regarding conjunctivitis incidence in COVID-19 and its relationship with disease severity. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does conjunctivitis associate with severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)?

Study design:
This review article included 3 studies with 1,167 patients, reported the incidence of conjunctivitis at admission to the hospital.

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 and conclusions:
The investigators found the overall rate of conjunctivitis was 1.1%; it was 3% and 0.7% in severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients, respectively.

The investigators found patients with severe COVID-19 had an increased risk of 240% [OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.1 to 10.2, p = 0.030] of getting conjunctivitis

The investigators concluded conjunctivitis is more frequent in severe COVID-19 and may be a warning sign of poor outcomes.

Original title:
Conjunctivitis and COVID-19: a meta-analysis by Loffredo L, Pacella F, […], Violi F1.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32330304

Additional information of El Mondo:
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Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is the inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball. It's characterized by redness and a gritty sensation in your eye, along with itching.