Top-Viewed JAMA Network Articles of 2020

These are the top-viewed research articles from JAMA Network journals published September 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020.

In JAMA, this case series from Wuhan, China, described the clinical course of patients hospitalized for novel coronavirus pneumonia in January, and described presumed human-to-human hospital-associated transmission.

This study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported a relative 28% increase in all-cause deaths in the US in March-May 2020 vs previous years, suggesting an underestimate of pandemic-associated deaths in official tallies.

This case series in JAMA Cardiology reported myocardial involvement and inflammation in convalescing COVID-19 patients, indicating the need for ongoing clinical monitoring.

In JAMA Neurology, this case series from Wuhan, China, characterized neuromuscular manifestations seen in COVID-19 patients, including CNS symptoms, taste, smell, and vision impairment, and skeletal muscle symptoms.

In JAMA Ophthalmology, this cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Suizhou, China, reported a lower proportion of daily eyeglass wearers compared to the local population, hinting at a possible protective effect of eyeglass wearing.

This randomized trial published in JAMA Network Open reported higher mortality and QTc interval prolongation with 600 vs 450 mg of chloroquine diphosphate in critically ill COVID-19 patients in Brazil.

This case series in JAMA Pediatrics, published early in the pandemic, described the clinical course of children hospitalized in ICUs for COVID-19, confirming that severe COVID-19 was less frequent and fatal in children vs adults.

In JAMA Health Forum, this Viewpoint discussed clinical evidence and legal standards to guide clinician responses to patient requests for medical exemptions from wearing face masks.

In JAMA Oncology, this study characterized shifts in the global epidemiology of cancer in 1990-2017, including rises in incidence of liver and pancreatic cancer.

This consensus statement in JAMA Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery issued recommendations for safe conduct of head and neck examinations and procedures, including use of PAPR vs N95 respirators and negative-pressure rooms for high-risk operations.

This US cohort study in JAMA Psychiatry reported associations between extraversion and calm and mature personality traits among adolescents and lower dementia risk 5 decades later.

In JAMA Dermatology, this case series of Belgian patients referred for chilblains during 1 week in April reported none had exposure to SARS-CoV-2 based on PCR testing or serology, raising questions about "COVID toes” as a specific sign of infection.

In JAMA Surgery, this cohort study of surgical patients with COVID-19 and matched controls in Italy reported higher risk of pulmonary and thrombotic complications, and higher 30-day mortality among infected patients.