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Long Covid-19

Association between combination COVID-19-influenza vaccination and long COVID in middle-aged and older Europeans: A cross-sectional study
Wu W, Zheng X, Ding H, Miao T, Zang Y, Shen S and Gao Y
The potential impact of combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccination on long COVID remains uncertain. In the present cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the plausible association between them in middle-aged and older Europeans based on the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A total of 1910 participants were recruited in the analyses. The study outcome was long COVID. Participants were divided into 4 groups through the self-reported status of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. 1397 participants experienced long COVID. After multivariable adjustment, those vaccinated with neither COVID-19 nor influenza vaccine had higher risk of long COVID (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.26-2.35) compared to those vaccinated with both vaccines. Furthermore, adding the 4 statuses of COVID-19 vaccination/influenza vaccination to conventional risk model improved risk reclassification for long COVID (continuous net reclassification improvement was 16.26% [ = .003], and integrated discrimination improvement was 0.51% [ = .005]). No heterogeneity was found in the subgroup analyses (all -interaction ≥0.05). Our study might provide a strategy for people aged 50 and over to reduce the occurrence of long COVID, that is, to combine the use of the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccines.
Long-term stability and immunogenicity of lipid nanoparticle COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is affected by particle size
Shi R, Liu X, Wang Y, Pan M, Wang S, Shi L and Ni B
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology has been rapidly applied for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, naked mRNA itself is inherently unstable. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) protect mRNAs from extracellular ribonucleases and facilitate mRNA trafficking. For mRNA vaccines, antigen-presenting cells utilize LNPs through uptake to elicit antigen-specific immunity. There are reports on the impact of various physical characteristics of LNPs, particularly those with sizes less than 200 nm, especially 50 to 150 nm, on the overall stability and protective efficacy of mRNA vaccines. To address this, a single change in the size of LNPs using the same mRNA stock solution was assessed for the physicochemical characterization of the resulting mRNA-LNPs vaccine, along with the evaluation of their protective efficacy. Particles of smaller sizes generally disperse more effectively in solutions, with minimized occurrence of particle precipitation and aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that the vaccine containing 80-100 nm mRNA-LNPs showed the best stability and protection at 4°C and -20°C. Furthermore, we can conclude that freezing the vaccine at -20°C is more appropriate for maintaining stability over the long term. This effort is poised to provide a scientific basis for improving the quality of ongoing mRNA vaccine endeavors and providing information on the development of novel products.
Bidirectional relationships between nicotine vaping and maladaptive eating behaviors among young adults
Lanza HI, Waller K and Sevillano L
Past research indicates that young adult cigarette smokers are at risk of engaging in maladaptive eating behaviors (MEBs); however, whether this relationship extends to nicotine vaping is unclear. The current study assessed bidirectional associations between four types of MEBs and nicotine vaping among young adults.
Health Care Access and COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
De Guzman C, Thomas CA, Wiwanto L, Hu D, Henriquez-Rivera J, Gage L, Perreault JC, Harris E, Rastas C, McCormick D and Gaffney A
Although federal legislation made COVID-19 vaccines free, inequities in access to medical care may affect vaccine uptake.
Temporal shifts in 24 notifiable infectious diseases in China before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Li K, Rui J, Song W, Luo L, Zhao Y, Qu H, Liu H, Wei H, Zhang R, Abudunaibi B, Wang Y, Zhou Z, Xiang T and Chen T
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, along with the implementation of public health and social measures (PHSMs), have markedly reshaped infectious disease transmission dynamics. We analysed the impact of PHSMs on 24 notifiable infectious diseases (NIDs) in the Chinese mainland, using time series models to forecast transmission trends without PHSMs or pandemic. Our findings revealed distinct seasonal patterns in NID incidence, with respiratory diseases showing the greatest response to PHSMs, while bloodborne and sexually transmitted diseases responded more moderately. 8 NIDs were identified as susceptible to PHSMs, including hand, foot, and mouth disease, dengue fever, rubella, scarlet fever, pertussis, mumps, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. The termination of PHSMs did not cause NIDs resurgence immediately, except for pertussis, which experienced its highest peak in December 2023 since January 2008. Our findings highlight the varied impact of PHSMs on different NIDs and the importance of sustainable, long-term strategies, like vaccine development.
Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia detected after coronavirus disease 2019
Yamamoto K, Nakagawa K and Otsuka F
We present a 23-year-old woman with depression and long COVID in whom a diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) was made. Although the relationship between idiopathic VT and long COVID remains unknown, this is the first report of idiopathic VT detected in a patient with long COVID.
Work and vocational rehabilitation for people living with long covid
O'Connor RJ, Parkin A, Mir G, Mullard J, Baley S, Ceolta-Smith J and Rayner C
Corrigendum to "Systemic inflammation relates to neuroaxonal damage associated with long-term cognitive dysfunction in COVID-19 patients" [Brain Behav. Immun. 117 (2024) 510-520]
Duindam HB, Mengel D, Kox M, Göpfert JC, Kessels RPC, Synofzik M, Pickkers P and Abdo WF
Persistent differences in the immunogenicity of the two COVID-19 primary vaccines series, modulated by booster mRNA vaccination and breakthrough infection
Lee KY, Song KH, Lee KH, Baek JY, Kim ES, Song YG, Kim YC, Park YS, Ahn JY, Choi JY, Choi WS, Bae S, Kim SW, Kwon KT, Kang ES, Peck KR, Kim SH, Jeong HW and Ko JH
The long-term impact of initial immunogenicity induced by different primary COVID-19 vaccine series remains unclear.
The association between BNT162b2 vaccinations and incidence of immune-mediated comorbidities
Shani M, Hermesh I, Feldhamer I, Reges O, Lavie G, Arbel R and Sagy YW
A large vaccination campaign was initiated worldwide in December 2020 in order to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and severe Covid-19 disease. However, long-term adverse effects of vaccination remain unclear. Therefore, our objective was to examine the association between vaccination and the incidence of autoimmune diagnoses in the first year after vaccine uptake.
The long COVID evidence gap in England
Knuppel A, Boyd A, Macleod J, Chaturvedi N and Williams DM
Cohort profile: EFTER-COVID - a Danish nationwide cohort for assessing the long-term health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Sørensen AIV, Bager P, Nielsen NM, Koch A, Spiliopoulos L, Hviid A and Ethelberg S
To follow SARS-CoV-2-infected persons up to 18 months after a positive test in order to assess the burden and nature of post acute symptoms and health problems.
Autopsy-based all-cause unnatural mortality during pre-pandemic and pandemic of COVID-19 in Varanasi, India: a retrospective analysis
Singh J, Kumar A and Pandey SK
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in healthcare systems worldwide, with Varanasi, India, experiencing profound challenges in managing mortality rates. In order to inform public health initiatives, it is important to comprehend how the pandemic has affected all-cause unnatural death in comparison to pre-pandemic patterns. This retrospective study intended to investigate patterns of all-cause unnatural mortality employing autopsy records of cases from Varanasi's Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period (First and Second wave) of COVID-19. The analysis included 2694 cases of unnatural mortality, such as road traffic accident (RTA), poisoning, hanging and other causes. Demographic, clinical, and circumstantial data were collected and compared between the two time periods, that revealed significant as well as non-significant shifts in all-cause unnatural mortality rates. Whilst certain types of unnatural deaths, such as RTAs, witnessed a non-significant 2.03% (p = 0.34722) decrease, others like hanging exhibited an unexpected significant 3.17% (p = 0.01732) rise, burning and poisoning witnessed a significant 4.18% (p = 0.00026) and 2.37% (p = 0.0271) decline respectively. RTA was the leading cause of mortality both during and before pandemic. Male deaths (79.18%) outweighed female deaths (20.82%) by a more substantial amount throughout research periods. Additionally, variations in demographic characteristics, circumstances surrounding deaths, and healthcare utilization were observed during the pandemic period. The majority of unnatural fatalities occur in the age group of 21-30 years old in both pre-pandemic (22.62%) and pandemic conditions (26.65%). This study provides important insights into the secondary effects of the pandemic on unnatural mortality and emphasizes the need for individualized public health. Furthermore, research is warranted to explore the long-term implications and address the associated challenges for healthcare systems and public health initiatives.
Corrigendum to "Long-term transition of antibody titers in healthcare workers following the first to fourth doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: Comparison of two automated SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays" [J Infect Chemother 29 (2023) 534-538]
Taniguchi Y, Suemori K, Tanaka K, Okamoto A, Murakami A, Miyamoto H, Takasuka Y, Yamashita M and Takenaka K
Navigating Public Policy Responses to A Pandemic: The Balancing Act Between Physical Health, Mental Health and Household Income
Finkelstein EA, Ozdemir S, Huynh VA, Chay J, Mühlbacher A and Tan HK
During COVID-19, governments imposed restrictions that reduced pandemic-related health risks but likely increased personal and societal mental health risk, partly through reductions in household income. This study aims to quantify the public's willingness to accept trade-offs between pandemic health risks, household income reduction, and increased risk for mental illness that may result from future pandemic-related policies.
Reducing Transmission of Airborne Respiratory Pathogens: A New Beginning as the COVID-19 Emergency Ends
Marr LC and Samet JM
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, new evidence-based strategies have emerged for reducing transmission of respiratory infections through management of indoor air.
Giving a Voice to Patients With Smell Disorders Associated With COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Longitudinal Analysis Using Natural Language Processing of Self-Reports
Menger NS, Tognetti A, Farruggia MC, Mucignat C, Bhutani S, Cooper KW, Rohlfs Domínguez P, Heinbockel T, Shields VDC, D'Errico A, Pereda-Loth V, Pierron D, Koyama S and Croijmans I
Smell disorders are commonly reported with COVID-19 infection. The smell-related issues associated with COVID-19 may be prolonged, even after the respiratory symptoms are resolved. These smell dysfunctions can range from anosmia (complete loss of smell) or hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) to parosmia (smells perceived differently) or phantosmia (smells perceived without an odor source being present). Similar to the difficulty that people experience when talking about their smell experiences, patients find it difficult to express or label the symptoms they experience, thereby complicating diagnosis. The complexity of these symptoms can be an additional burden for patients and health care providers and thus needs further investigation.
Poland's first vascular access team 3-year analysis: Insights and learnings
Latos M, Kosson D and Zawadka M
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Poland saw a surge in interest in midline catheters (MCs) and Long Peripheral Catheters (LPCs) for intravenous therapy. Before this, MCs were not extensively utilised in the country, and there was no formally established Polish vascular access team. MCs, which have been used for years in many countries, are now becoming increasingly common in Poland. This study aimed to analyse the use of MCs in a 3-year perspective of their introduction in daily clinical practice based on a nurse-led Vascular Access Team (VAT).
[Breathless, without strength, forgetful: Long Covid, the pandemic within the pandemic.]
Rinnenburger D
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, a new disease has emerged: Long Covid syndrome, about which we know little and on which too little research is being done. It is a chronic disease, which is diagnosed when Covid symptoms last more than 12 weeks. To date, there is no pharmacological or other approach to Long Covid. The main symptoms of Long Covid are pain similar to those of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, headaches, concentration and memory disorders, sometimes also perceived as brain fog and fatigue. Research and education and sensible, bipartisan social policy, away from all ideologies, are needed to address this additional aspect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Assessment of the Impact of RNase in Patients With Severe Fatigue Related to Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC): A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of RSLV-132
Andrews JS, Boonyaratanakornkit JB, Krusinska E, Allen S and Posada JA
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and RNA debris persist in viral reservoirs for weeks to months following infection, potentially triggering interferon production and chronic inflammation. RSLV-132 is a biologic drug composed of catalytically active human RNase1 fused to human IgG1 Fc and is designed to remain in circulation and digest extracellular RNA. We hypothesized that removal of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA from latent reservoirs may improve inflammation, neuroinflammation, and fatigue associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
Lessons Learned from Model-based Economic Evaluations of COVID-19 Drug Treatments Under Pandemic Circumstances: Results from a Systematic Review
Veijer C, van Hulst MH, Friedrichson B, Postma MJ and van Asselt ADI
Following clinical research of potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatments, numerous decision-analytic models have been developed. Due to pandemic circumstances, clinical evidence was limited and modelling choices were made under great uncertainty. This study aimed to analyse key methodological characteristics of model-based economic evaluations of COVID-19 drug treatments, and specifically focused on modelling choices which pertain to disease severity levels during hospitalisation, model structure, sources of effectiveness and quality of life and long-term sequelae.
The association of COVID-19 pandemic with the increase of sinogenic and otogenic intracranial infections in children: a 10-year retrospective comparative single-center study
Issa M, Kalliri V, Euteneuer S, Krümpelmann A, Seitz A, Sommerburg O, Westhoff JH, Syrbe S, Lenga P, Grutza M, Scherer M, Neumann JO, Baumann I, Unterberg AW and El Damaty A
Otitis media and sinusitis are common childhood infections, typically mild with good outcomes. Recent studies show a rise in intracranial abscess cases in children, raising concerns about a link to COVID-19. This study compares a decade of data on these cases before and after the pandemic.
The impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health: a Systematic Review
Anastácio BM, Monteiro PB and Capelo MF
This systematic literature review aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility.
Functional availability of medical oxygen for the management of hypoxaemia in Cameroon: A nationwide facility-based cross-sectional survey
Saidu Y, Valirie Ndip A, Diaby O, Hollong B, Katz Z, Battu A, Nchinjoh SC, Balkissou AD and Wiwa O
Medical oxygen is essential for managing hypoxaemia, which has a multifactorial origin, including acute and chronic lung diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, and severe malaria. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) revealed substantial gaps in the availability and accessibility of safe medical oxygen, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the availability and sources, as well as the barriers to the availability of functional medical oxygen in hospitals in Cameroon.
Science of psychological phenomena and their testing
Iso-Ahola SE
There is no crisis of replication and generalizability in psychological science, only misunderstanding or forgetting the fundamental nature of psychological phenomena and resultant implications for empirical testing. Stability-variability is the central feature of every psychological phenomenon, meaning that brain-mind interactions can only create stable from which there will always be deviations. Psychological phenomena are not comparable to COVID-19 vaccines that were very effective (95%) initially for almost everyone for a long time. Replications cannot be the gatekeepers of scientific psychological knowledge, only constructive additions and explorations contributing to theory development and measurement improvement. Once a logically justified and theoretically well-developed hypothesis is presented, the phenomenon exists as long as one of the following conditions is true: (1) it has not been shown logically that the phenomenon exist or (2) it has not been shown empirically that the phenomenon exist. Like in physics and other sciences, generalization to theory is critical in psychological science, but less important relative to hypothetical (phantom) populations. Initial COVID-19 vaccines were effective because they worked for the right theoretical reason, the mRNA mechanism. This central principle holds true for psychological phenomena as well, with findings generalizing to the theoretical explanation regarding the presence and manifestations of behaviors brought about by the brain-mind interactions, or stated differently, as proposed by the theory. Instead of the narrow focus on generalization to hypothetical populations, psychological phenomena and associated generalization could more productively be examined from the nine proposed perspectives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical health amongst children: Difference-in-differences analyses of nationwide school health checkup database
Okubo Y, Ishitsuka K and Goto A
The COVID-19 pandemic posed tremendous challenges for children. However, the long-term effects of the pandemic on various aspects of physical health at a national level remain unclear.
Prior COVID-19 vaccination and reduced risk of cerebrovascular diseases among COVID-19 survivors
Chen SY, Hsieh TYJ, Hung YM, Oh JW, Chen SK, Wang SI, Chang R and Wei JC
The effects of COVID-19 vaccination on short-term and long-term cerebrovascular risks among COVID-19 survivors remained unknown. We conducted a national multi-center retrospective cohort study with 151 597 vaccinated and 151 597 unvaccinated COVID-19 patients using the TriNetX database, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. Patients baseline characteristics were balanced with propensity score matching (PSM). The outcomes were incident cerebrovascular diseases occurred between 1st and 30th days (short-term) after COVID-19 diagnosis. Nine subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifications. We performed six sensitivity analyses, including evaluation of outcomes between 1st to 180th days, accounting for competing risk, and incorporating different variant timeline to test the robustness of our results. Kaplan-Meier curves and Log-Rank tests were performed to evaluate survival difference. Cox proportional hazards regressions were adopted to estimate the PSM-adjusted hazard ratios (HR). The overall short-term cerebrovascular risks were lower in the vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56-0.77), specifically cerebral infarction (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48-0.79), occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.53-0.98), other cerebrovascular diseases (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42-0.77), and sequelae of cerebrovascular disease (HR: 0.39, 95% CI:0.23-0.68). Similarly, the overall cerebrovascular risks were lower in those vaccinated among most subgroups. The long-term outcomes, though slightly attenuated, were consistent (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73-0.87). Full 2-dose vaccination was associated with a further reduced risk of cerebrovascular diseases (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.50-0.80) compared to unvaccinated patients. Unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors have significantly higher cerebrovascular risks than their vaccinated counterparts. Thus, clinicians are recommended to monitor this population closely for stroke events during postinfection follow-up.
Characterizing the antigenic evolution of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 from 2009 to 2023
Cheng P, Zhai K, Han W, Zeng J, Qiu Z, Chen Y, Tang K, Tang J, Long H, Jiang T and Du X
The H1N1pdm09 virus has been a persistent threat to public health since the 2009 pandemic. Particularly, since the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 have been concurrently prevalent worldwide. To determine the antigenic evolution pattern of H1N1pdm09 and develop preventive countermeasures, we collected influenza sequence data and immunological data to establish a new antigenic evolution analysis framework. A machine learning model (XGBoost, accuracy = 0.86, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.89) was constructed using epitopes, physicochemical properties, receptor binding sites, and glycosylation sites as features to predict the antigenic similarity relationships between influenza strains. An antigenic correlation network was constructed, and the Markov clustering algorithm was used to identify antigenic clusters. Subsequently, the antigenic evolution pattern of H1N1pdm09 was analyzed at the global and regional scales across three continents. We found that H1N1pdm09 evolved into around five antigenic clusters between 2009 and 2023 and that their antigenic evolution trajectories were characterized by cocirculation of multiple clusters, low-level persistence of former dominant clusters, and local heterogeneity of cluster circulations. Furthermore, compared with the seasonal H1N1 virus, the potential cluster-transition determining sites of H1N1pdm09 were restricted to epitopes Sa and Sb. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of machine learning methods for characterizing antigenic evolution of viruses, developed a specific model to rapidly identify H1N1pdm09 antigenic variants, and elucidated their evolutionary patterns. Our findings may provide valuable support for the implementation of effective surveillance strategies and targeted prevention efforts to mitigate the impact of H1N1pdm09.
Rural Hospitals Experienced More Patient Volume Variability Than Urban Hospitals During The COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-21
Jiang HJ, Henke RM, Fingar KR, Liang L, Agniel D and Roemer MI
Fluctuations in patient volume during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been particularly concerning for rural hospitals. We examined hospital discharge data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases to compare data from the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 8, 2020-December 31, 2021) with data from the prepandemic period (January 1, 2017-March 7, 2020). Changes in average daily medical volume at rural hospitals showed a dose-response relationship with community COVID-19 burden, ranging from a 13.2 percent decrease in patient volume in periods of low transmission to a 16.5 percent increase in volume in periods of high transmission. Overall, about 35 percent of rural hospitals experienced fluctuations exceeding 20 percent (in either direction) in average daily total volume, in contrast to only 13 percent of urban hospitals experiencing similar magnitudes of changes. Rural hospitals with a large change in average daily volume were more likely to be smaller, government-owned, and critical access hospitals and to have significantly lower operating margins. Our findings suggest that rural hospitals may have been more vulnerable operationally and financially to volume shifts during the pandemic, which warrants attention because of the potential impact on these hospitals' long-term sustainability.
Impact of COVID-19 on celebration of death, mortuary, and funerary customs in Bangladesh: A qualitative study
Rahman MA, Islam MR, Chowdhury M, Asaduzzaman M, Barua P and Haque MA
During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions significantly impacted religious activities related to death celebrations, mortuary practices, and funerary rituals in Bangladesh. Bereaved families faced a harsh reality, unable to perform the full rituals for their loved ones due to the pandemic outbreak. This study explores the adjustments and modifications made in cultural rituals and how they affected bereaved families and close relatives.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Children With Long COVID: A Case-controlled Study
Baldi F, De Rose C, Mariani F, Morello R, Raffaelli F, Valentini P and Buonsenso D
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a noninvasive and nonexpensive diagnostic tool, that provides a comprehensive evaluation of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems' integrated reactions to exercise. CPET has been extensively used in adults with Long COVID (LC), while the evidence about its role in children with this condition is scarce.
Identification of the needs of individuals affected by COVID-19
Stanley HB, Pereda-Campos V, Mantel M, Rouby C, Daudé C, Aguera PE, Fornoni L, Hummel T, Weise S, Mignot C, Konstantinidis I, Garefis K, Ferdenzi C, Pierron D and Bensafi M
The optimal management of COVID-19 symptoms and their sequelae remains an important area of clinical research. Policy makers have little scientific data regarding the effects on the daily life of affected individuals and the identification of their needs. Such data are needed to inform effective care policy.
Psychometric analysis of the modified COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) in a prospective multicentre study
Smith A, Greenwood D, Horton M, Osborne T, Goodwin M, Lawrence RR, Winch D, Williams P, Milne R, and Sivan M
Long COVID (LC) is a novel multisystem clinical syndrome affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The modified COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) is a condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure designed for assessment and monitoring of people with LC.
Ultra-low-dose vs. standard-of-care-dose CT of the chest in patients with post-COVID-19 conditions-a prospective intra-patient multi-reader study
Wassipaul C, Kifjak D, Milos RI, Prayer F, Roehrich S, Winter M, Beer L, Watzenboeck ML, Pochepnia S, Weber M, Tamandl D, Homolka P, Birkfellner W, Ringl H, Prosch H and Heidinger BH
To conduct an intrapatient comparison of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) and standard-of-care-dose CT (SDCT) of the chest in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of ULDCT and intrareader agreement in patients with post-COVID conditions.
Brodalumab: 5-Year US Pharmacovigilance Report
Lebwohl MG, Koo JY, Armstrong AW, Strober BE, Martin GM, Rawnsley NN, Goehring EL and Jacobson AA
Brodalumab is a human interleukin-17 receptor A antagonist indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy and have failed to respond or have lost response to other systemic therapies. Although the US prescribing information for brodalumab includes a boxed warning regarding suicidal ideation and behavior, no causal association has been demonstrated. Here, we summarize 5 years of pharmacovigilance data, from August 15, 2017, through August 14, 2022, reported to Ortho Dermatologics by US patients and healthcare providers.
Cement production and CO emission cycles in the USA: evidence from MS-ARDL and MS-VARDL causality methods with century-long data
Bildirici ME and Ersin ÖÖ
The cement industry is among the top three polluters among all industries and the examination of the nonlinear and cointegration dynamics between cement production and CO emissions has not been explored. Focusing on this research gap, the study employs a novel Markov-switching autoregressive distributed lag (MS-ARDL) model and its generalization to vector error correction, the MS-VARDL model, for regime-dependent causality testing. The new method allows the determination of nonlinear long-run and short-run relations, regime duration, and cement-induced-CO emission cycles in the USA for a historically long dataset covering 1900-2021. Empirical findings point to nonlinearity in all series and nonlinear cointegration between cement production and cement-induced CO emissions. The phases of regimes coincide closely with NBER's official economic cycles for the USA. The second regime, characterized by expansions, lasts twice as long relative to the first, the contractionary regime, which contains severe economic recessions, as well as economic crises, the 1929 Great Depression, the 1973 Oil Crisis, the 2009 Great Recession, and the COVID-19 Shutdown and Wars, including WWI and II. In both regimes, the adverse effects of cement production on CO emissions cannot be rejected with varying degrees both in the long and the short run. Markov regime-switching vector autoregressive distributed lag (MS-VARDL) causality tests confirm unidirectional causality from cement production to CO emissions in both regimes. The traditional Granger causality test produces an over-acceptance of causality in a discussed set of cases. Industry-level policy recommendations include investments to help with the shift to green kiln technologies and energy efficiency. National-level policies on renewable energy and carbon capture are also vital considering the energy consumption of cement production.
Effects of Detraining on Physical Capacity and Its Relationship With Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life and Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Cassemiliano G, Farche ACS, Lee S, Rossi PG, Message LB, Dos Santos TR, Santos VRS and Takahashi ACM
Detraining is the partial or complete loss of physical training-induced adaptations as a result of exercise interruption or reduction. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the discontinuation of many older adult exercise programs and led to increased depressive symptoms (DS), increased sedentary behavior (SB), and decreased quality of life (QoL).
Predictors of somatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national longitudinal survey in Japan
Sugawara N, Tabuchi T, Tokumitsu K and Yasui-Furukori N
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, termed long COVID. However, in the absence of comparative groups, the differentiation of disease progression remains difficult, as COVID-19 symptoms become indistinguishable from symptoms originating from alternative etiologies. This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the association between COVID-19 exposure and the somatic symptoms in the Japanese general population.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infection and the evaluation of safety precaution practice before and after vaccination among healthcare workers in South West, Nigeria
Oni OI, Osho PO, Odesanmi TM, Raji HM, Oluranti FT and Ibina D
Worldwide, it has been reported that fully vaccinated people still die of COVID-19-associated symptoms, generating public uncertainty about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. Hence, this research is aimed at assessing the incidence of COVID-19 breakthrough infection among vaccinated Health Workers and the possible effect of changes in the practice of post-vaccination safety precautions.
Long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ART-mediated births in Lombardy, Italy
Esposito G, Somigliana E, Viganò P, Filippi F, Franchi M, Corrao G and Parazzini F
: Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Dysgeusia in Patients with Long COVID: Comment
Daungsupawong H and Wiwanitkit V
Targeting gut microbiota for immunotherapy of diseases
Yu YJ, Liu XD, Liao C, Yu R, Wang X, Li M and Wang Y
With advances in next-generation sequencing technology, there is growing evidence that the gut microbiome plays a key role in the host's innate and adaptive immune system. Gut microbes and their metabolites directly or indirectly regulate host immune cells. Crucially, dysregulation of the gut microbiota is often associated with many immune system diseases. In turn, microbes modulate disease immunotherapy. Data from preclinical to clinical studies suggest that the gut microbiota may influence the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition, the most critical issue now is a COVID-19 vaccine that generates strong and durable immunity. A growing number of clinical studies confirm the potential of gut microbes to enhance the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. However, it is still unclear how gut bacteria interact with immune cells and what treatments are based on gut microbes. Here, we outline recent advances in the effects and mechanisms of the gut microbiota and its metabolites (tryptophan metabolites, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and inosine) on different immune cells (dendritic cells, CD4T cells, and macrophages). It also highlights innovative intervention strategies and clinical trials of microbiota-based checkpoint blocking therapies for tumor immunity, and ongoing efforts to maintain the long-term immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. Finally, the challenges to be overcome in this area are discussed. These provide an important basis for further research and clinical translation of gut microbiota.
Association of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir with post-acute sequelae and mortality in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
Wang H, Wei Y, Hung CT, Lin G, Jiang X, Li C, Jia KM, Yam CHK, Chow TY, Ho JY, Wang Y, Zhao S, Guo Z, Li K, Yang A, Mok CKP, Hui DSC, Yeoh EK and Chong KC
Studies have established the short-term efficacy of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in managing COVID-19, yet its effect on post-COVID-19 condition, especially in patients admitted to hospital, remains understudied. This study aimed to examine the effect of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir on post-COVID-19 condition among patients admitted to hospital in Hong Kong.
Clinical characteristics, imaging, and lung function among patients with persistent dyspnea of COVID-19: a retrospective observational cohort study
Manglani R, Fenster M, Henson T, Jain A and Schluger N
The available medical literature on lung function and corresponding clinical characteristics among symptomatic survivors of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (long COVID) is sparse. Primary physicians referred patients who manifested persistent dyspnea months after their index case of infection to a designated clinic. Patients underwent symptom-driven, quality-of-life, physical, and focused respiratory [pulmonary function tests and computed tomography (CT) of the chest] evaluations and were followed over time. In this paper, we present our findings. Patients with abnormal CT imaging were more likely to be of advanced age and to have been hospitalized during their COVID-19 infection. Forced exhaled volume in the first second, forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity, and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide measurements were found to be significantly lower in patients with abnormal CT imaging. Multivariate regression of clinical characteristics uncovered a significant association between FVC, body mass index, history of hospitalization, and diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, longer-term studies will help further our understanding of the risk factors, disease course, and prognosis of long COVID patients.
Indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosing, monitoring, and prescribing in people with diabetes and strategies for diabetes service recovery internationally
Rutter MK, Carr MJ, Wright AK, Kanumilli N, Milne N, Jones E, Elton P, Ceriello A, Misra A, Del Prato S, Barron E, Hambling C, Sattar N, Khunti K, Valabhji J, Feldman EL and Ashcroft DM
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in clinical services for people with chronic long-term conditions. In this narrative review, we assess the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes services globally and the resulting adverse effects on rates of diagnosing, monitoring, and prescribing in people with type 2 diabetes. We summarise potential practical approaches that could address these issues and improve clinical services and outcomes for people living with diabetes during the recovery phase of the pandemic.
Mortalidad, Secuelas Clínicas y Calidad de Vida Luego del Alta de Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos en Pacientes con COVID-19: Estudio Multicéntrico Descriptivo en Argentina
Argento F, Donato M, Villalba D, Sarubbio MG, Giménez A, Ciapponi A and Augustovski F
Patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalization in an intensive care unit, in addition to being at risk of presenting premature death, have higher rates of complications. This study aimed to describe mortality, rehospitalizations, quality of life, and symptoms related to postintensive care syndrome (PICS) and prolonged COVID-19 in patients with COVID-19 discharged from the intensive care unit in hospitals in Argentina.
Clinical effectiveness of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir on the short- and long-term outcome in high-risk children with COVID-19
Wu JY, Chen CC, Liu MY, Hsu WH, Tsai YW, Liu TH, Pin-Chien S, Huang PY, Chuang MH, Lee MC, Hung KC, Yu T and Lai CC
This study investigated the clinical effectiveness of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (NMV-r) on short-term outcome and the risk of postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC) among pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX research network to identify pediatric patients between 12 and 18 years with COVID-19 between January 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to match patients receiving NMV-r (NMV-r group) with those who did not receive NMV-r (control group). Two cohorts comprising 633 patients each (NMV-r and control groups), with balanced baseline characteristics, were identified using the PSM method. During the initial 30 days, the NMV-r group showed a lower incidence of all-cause hospitalization, mortality, or ED visits (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.546, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.372-0.799, p = 0.002). Additionally, the NMV-r group had a significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization compared with the control group (HR = 0.463, 95% CI: 0.269-0.798), with no deaths occurring in either group. In the 30-180-day follow-up period, the NMV-r group exhibited a non-significantly lower incidence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), encompassing symptoms such as fatigue, cardiopulmonary symptoms, pain, cognitive impairments, headache, dizziness, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, compared to the control group. This study underscores the potential effectiveness of NMV-r in treating high-risk pediatric patients with COVID-19, demonstrating significant reductions in short-term adverse outcomes such as emergency department visits, hospitalization, or mortality within the initial 30-day period. Additionally, NMV-r shows promise in potentially preventing the development of PASC.
LSTM-Powered COVID-19 prediction in central Thailand incorporating meteorological and particulate matter data with a multi-feature selection approach
Winalai C, Anupong S, Modchang C and Chadsuthi S
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public health and necessitated urgent actions to mitigate its spread. Monitoring and predicting the outbreak's progression have become vital to devise effective strategies and allocate resources efficiently. This study presents a novel approach utilizing Multivariate Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to analyze and predict COVID-19 trends in Central Thailand, particularly emphasizing the multi-feature selection process. To consider a comprehensive view of the pandemic's dynamics, our research dataset encompasses epidemiological, meteorological, and particulate matter features, which were gathered from reliable sources. We propose a multi-feature selection technique to identify the most relevant and influential features that significantly impact the spread of COVID-19 in the region to enhance the model's performance. Our results highlight that relative humidity is the key factor driving COVID-19 transmission in Central Thailand. The proposed multi-feature selection technique significantly improves the model's accuracy, ensuring that only the most informative variables contribute to the predictions, avoiding the potential noise or redundancy from less relevant features. The proposed LSTM model demonstrates its capability to forecast COVID-19 cases, facilitating informed decision-making for public health authorities and policymakers.
Sexual behaviour and incidence of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) using daily and event-driven pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Four-year follow-up of the Amsterdam PrEP (AMPrEP) demonstration project cohort
van den Elshout MAM, Wijstma ES, Boyd A, Jongen VW, Coyer L, Anderson PL, Davidovich U, de Vries HJC, Prins M, Schim van der Loeff MF, Hoornenborg E and
An increasing number of countries are currently implementing or scaling-up HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care. With the introduction of PrEP, there was apprehension that condom use would decline and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) would increase. To inform sexual health counselling and STI screening programmes, we aimed to study sexual behaviour and STI incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who use long-term daily or event-driven PrEP.
Treatment of Patients After Lung Transplantation With Covid Infection During Long-Term Follow-Up
Żegleń S, Nagajewski A, Górski D, Wojarski J, Karlsen W, Akily L, Sunesson F, Sawczuk M, Nojek R, Lipka K, Gallas M, Dukat-Mazurek A and Karolak W
Patients undergoing lung transplantation are routinely managed with lifelong immunosuppression, which is associated with a heightened risk for infections. This study delves into the therapeutic challenges and strategies for managing lung transplant recipients (LTRs) infected with COVID-19 during long-term follow-up.
Nonlinear EEG Analysis During Motor and Cognitive Tasks in Patients With Long COVID: A Dynamic Systems Approach
Morais GD, Appelt PA, Neto EM, Bazan R, Cabral AM, Andrade AO, Luvizutto GJ and Sande de Souza LAP
Nonlinear EEG provides information about dynamic properties of the brain. This study aimed to compare nonlinear EEG parameters estimated from patients with Long COVID in different cognitive and motor tasks. This 12-month prospective cohort study included 83 patients with Long COVID: 53 symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic. Brain electrical activity was evaluated by EEG in 4 situations: (1) at rest, (2) during the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A), (3) during the TMT Part B (TMT-B), and (4) during a coordination task: the Box and Blocks Test (BBT). Nonlinear EEG parameters were estimated in the time domain (activity and complexity). Assessments were made at 0 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 12 months after inclusion. There was a decrease in activity and complexity during the TMT-A and TMT-B, and an increase of these parameters during the BBT in both groups. There was an increase in activity at rest and during the TMT-A in the COVID-19 group at 0 to 3 months compared to the control, an increase in activity in the TMT-B in the COVID-19 group at 3 to 6 months compared to the control, and reduced activity and complexity at rest and during the TMT-A at 6 to 12 months compared to the control. The tasks followed a pattern of increased activity and complexity in cognitive tasks, which decreased during the coordination task. It was also observed that an increase in activity at rest and during cognitive tasks in the early stages, and reduced activity and complexity at rest and during cognitive tasks in the late phases of Long COVID.
Long Term Impact of Adeno-tonsillectomy on Immunity Against Respiratory Viral Infections; Evidence Deduced During COVID-19 Pandemic
Murugesan R, Sagar P, Kumar R, Kabra SK, Chaturvedi PK, Khan MA, Singh CA, Kumar R and Thakar A
To evaluate the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection in patients who have undergone adeno-tonsillectomy (AT) as compared to their siblings.
A qualitative study of experiences with physical activity among people receiving opioid agonist therapy
Furulund E, Carlsen SL, Druckrey-Fiskaaen KT, Madebo T, Fadnes LT and Lid TG
Physical or mental health comorbidities are common among people with substance use disorders undergoing opioid agonist therapy. As both a preventive and treatment strategy, exercise offers various health benefits for several conditions. Exercise interventions to people with substance use disorders receiving opioid agonist therapy are limited. This study aims to explore experiences with physical activity, perceived barriers, and facilitators among people receiving opioid agonist therapy.
Laboratory parameters related to disease severity and physical performance after reconvalescence of acute COVID-19 infection
Gietl M, Burkert F, Hofer S, Gostner JM, Sonnweber T, Tancevski I, Pizzini A, Sahanic S, Schroll A, Brigo N, Egger A, Bellmann-Weiler R, Löffler-Ragg J, Weiss G and Kurz K
Research into the molecular basis of disease trajectory and Long-COVID is important to get insights toward underlying pathophysiological processes. The objective of this study was to investigate inflammation-mediated changes of metabolism in patients with acute COVID-19 infection and throughout a one-year follow up period. The study enrolled 34 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection admitted to the University Clinic of Innsbruck in early 2020. The dynamics of multiple laboratory parameters (including inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neopterin] as well as amino acids [tryptophan (Trp), phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr)], and parameters of iron and vitamin B metabolism) was related to disease severity and patients' physical performance. Also, symptom load during acute illness and at approximately 60 days (FU1), and one year after symptom onset (FU2) were monitored and related with changes of the investigated laboratory parameters: During acute infection many investigated laboratory parameters were elevated (e.g., inflammatory markers, ferritin, kynurenine, phenylalanine) and enhanced tryptophan catabolism and phenylalanine accumulation were found. At FU2 nearly all laboratory markers had declined back to reference ranges. However, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp) and the phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio (Phe/Tyr) were still exceeding the 95th percentile of healthy controls in about two thirds of our cohort at FU2. Lower tryptophan concentrations were associated with B vitamin availability (during acute infection and at FU1), patients with lower vitamin B12 levels at FU1 had a prolonged and more severe impairment of their physical functioning ability. Patients who had fully recovered (ECOG 0) presented with higher concentrations of iron parameters (ferritin, hepcidin, transferrin) and amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine) at FU2 compared to patients with restricted ability to work. Persistent symptoms at FU2 were tendentially associated with IFN-γ related parameters. Women were affected by long-term symptoms more frequently. Conclusively, inflammation-mediated biochemical changes appear to be related to symptoms of patients with acute and Long Covid.
Multi-cohort study on cytokine and chemokine profiles in the progression of COVID-19
Huang C, Hu X, Wang D, Gong R, Wang Q, Ren F, Wu Y, Chen J, Xiong X, Li H, Wang Q, Long G, Zhang D and Han Y
Various substances in the blood plasma serve as prognostic indicators of the progression of COVID-19. Consequently, multi-omics studies, such as proteomic and metabolomics, are ongoing to identify accurate biomarkers. Cytokines and chemokines, which are crucial components of immune and inflammatory responses, play pivotal roles in the transition from mild to severe illness. To determine the relationship between plasma cytokines and the progression of COVID-19, we used four study cohorts to perform a systematic study of cytokine levels in patients with different disease stages. We observed differential cytokine expression between patients with persistent-mild disease and patients with mild-to-severe transformation. For instance, IL-4 and IL-17 levels significantly increased in patients with mild-to-severe transformation, indicating differences within the mild disease group. Subsequently, we analysed the changes in cytokine and chemokine expression in the plasma of patients undergoing two opposing processes: the transition from mild to severe illness and the transition from severe to mild illness. We identified several factors, such as reduced expression of IL-16 and IL-18 during the severe phase of the disease and up-regulated expression of IL-10, IP-10, and SCGF-β during the same period, indicative of the deterioration or improvement of patients' conditions. These factors obtained from fine-tuned research cohorts could provide auxiliary indications for changes in the condition of COVID-19 patients.
Evaluation of blood pressure variation in recovered COVID-19 patients at one-year follow-up: a retrospective cohort study
Azami P, Vafa RG, Heydarzadeh R, Sadeghi M, Amiri F, Azadian A, Khademolhosseini A, Yousefi M, Montaseri M, Hosseini N, Hosseini SA and Kojuri J
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has various sequelae, one of which might be hypertension. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19's impact on blood pressure (BP) in non-hospitalized patients at one-year follow-up.
Longitudinal trends in uptake of hormonal long-acting reversible contraception devices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: an Australian population-based study
Stevenson TB, Rumbold AR, Moore V, Hall K, Ilomaki J, Mazza D, Bateson D and Grzeskowiak LE
Little is known about the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated restrictions and disruptions to health services, impacted the accessibility of hormonal long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) devices within Australia. Here, we explore longitudinal patterns of dispensing of the contraceptive implant and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) within Australia, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"": A qualitative exploration of the experiences of young people with Long COVID
Newlands F, Lewis C, d'Oelsnitz A, Pinto Pereira SM, Stephenson T, Chalder T, Coughtrey A, Dalrymple E, Heyman I, Harnden A, Ford T, Ladhani SN, Powell C, McOwat K, Bhopal R, Dudley J, Kolasinska P, Muhid MZ, Nugawela M, Rojas NK, Shittu A, Simmons R and Shafran R
Young people living with Long COVID are learning to navigate life with a constellation of poorly understood symptoms. Most qualitative studies on experiences living with Long COVID focus on adult populations. This study aimed to understand the experiences of young people living with Long COVID. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted ( = 16); 11 young people (aged 13-19) and five parents were recruited from the Children and Young People with Long COVID (CLoCk) study ( = 11) or its patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) group ( = 5). Thematic analysis generated four themes: (i) Unravelling Long COVID: Exploring Symptom Journeys and Diagnostic Dilemmas; (ii) Identity Disruption and Adjustment; (iii) Long COVID's Ripple Effect: the impact on Mental Health, Connections, and Education; and (iv) Navigating Long COVID: barriers to support and accessing services. Treatment options were perceived as not widely available or ineffective, emphasising the need for viable and accessible interventions for young people living with Long COVID.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A review
Benvenuto S, Avcin T and Taddio A
To comprehensively review the literature on multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
Analysis of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care facilities in the pre-vaccination period
Carvalho JFMG, Santos RRD, Couto AMD, Neves JS, Moraes FL, Deslandes CC, Jardim VR, Tavares TJPDC, Azevedo RS and Moraes EN
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected individuals residing in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), necessitating tailored strategies to manage outbreaks. This study examines the outcomes of the ILPI BH project, a collaborative effort between the Municipal Health Department and the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, designed to mitigate COVID-19 spread within LTCFs.
Small fibre neuropathy frequently underlies the painful long-COVID syndrome
Falco P, Litewczuk D, Di Stefano G, Galosi E, Leone C, De Stefano G, Di Pietro G, Tramontana L, Ciardi MR, Pasculli P, Zingaropoli MA, Arendt-Nielsen L and Truini A
Approximately 10% to 20% of individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection may develop long-COVID syndrome, characterized by various physical and mental health issues, including pain. Previous studies suggested an association between small fibre neuropathy and pain in long-COVID cases. In this case-control study, our aim was to identify small fibre neuropathy in patients experiencing painful long-COVID syndrome. Clinical data, quantitative sensory testing, and skin biopsies were collected from 26 selected patients with painful long-COVID syndrome. We also examined 100 individuals with past COVID-19 infection, selecting 33 patients with painless long-COVID syndrome, characterized mainly by symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue, and 30 asymptomatic post-COVID-19 controls. Demographic and clinical variables were compared among these groups. Among the 26 patients with painful long-COVID syndrome, 12 had skin biopsy and/or quantitative sensory testing abnormalities compatible with small fibre neuropathy. Demographic and clinical data did not differ across patients with small fibre neuropathy, patients with painless long-COVID syndrome, and asymptomatic post-COVID-19 controls. This case-control study showed that approximately 50% of patients experiencing painful long-COVID syndrome had small fibre neuropathy. However, in our patient cohort, this specific post-COVID-19 complication was unrelated to demographic and COVID-19 clinical variables. Approximately half of our sample of patients with painful long-COVID symptoms met diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy.
Frontline health workers' experiences of providing care for people living with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a qualitative study
Baatiema L, de-Graft Aikins A, Koram KK, Kunfah SMP, Allen LN, Abimbola S and Kruk M
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted frontline health workers. However, a neglected dimension of this discourse was the extent to which the pandemic impacted frontline healthcare workers providing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) care. This study aims to understand the experiences of healthcare workers with no prior exposure to pandemics who provided care to people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs).
Two-Year-Span Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Japan after the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Association with the COVID-19 Vaccination
Abubakar AK, Kaneda Y, Ozaki A, Saito H, Murakami M, Hori D, Gonda K, Tsubokura M and Tabuchi T
There is limited information on whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreased breast cancer screening uptake and if COVID-19 vaccination was associated with an increase in screening uptake. Our study explored the uptake of breast cancer screening in Japan after the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed its association with the COVID-19 vaccination. We analyzed data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), a web-based prospective cohort survey, and we included 6110 women without cancer history who were aged 40 to 74 years that participated in the 2012 and 2022 surveys. We examined the regular breast cancer screening uptake before and after the pandemic and employed a multivariable Poisson regression model to seek any association between COVID-19 vaccination and screening uptake. Of 6110, 38.2% regularly participated in screening before the pandemic and 46.9% did so after the pandemic. Individuals unvaccinated due to health reasons (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77, = 0.003) and for other reasons (IRR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.86, < 0.001) were less likely to undergo screening compared to fully vaccinated individuals. There was no long-term decrease in breast cancer screening uptake after the pandemic in Japan. Vaccination was linked to increased uptake, but there was no dose relationship.
Long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury requiring kidney replacement therapy
Godi I, Pasin L, Ballin A, Martelli G, Bonanno C, Terranova F, Tamburini E, Simoni C, Randon G, Franchetti N, Cattarin L, Nalesso F, Calò L and Tiberio I
Limited data existed on the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) renal complications and the outcomes of the most critical patients who required kidney replacement therapy (KRT) during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. We aimed to describe mortality and renal function at 90 days in patients admitted for COVID-19 and KRT.
Understanding pathways from implementation to sustainment: a longitudinal, mixed methods analysis of promising practices implemented in the Veterans Health Administration
Nevedal AL, Widerquist MAO, Reardon CM, Arasim M, Jackson GL, White B, Burns M, Fix GM, DeLaughter K, Cutrona SL, Gifford AL, Jasuja GK, Hogan TP, King HA, Henderson B and Damschroder LJ
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the United States largest learning health system. The Diffusion of Excellence (DoE) program is a large-scale model of diffusion that identifies and diffuses evidence-informed practices across VHA. During the period of 2016-2021, 57 evidence-informed practices were implemented across 82 VHA facilities. This setting provides a unique opportunity to understand sustainment determinants and pathways. Our objective was to characterize the longitudinal pathways of practices as they transition from initial implementation to long-term sustainment at each facility.
Wastewater tiling amplicon sequencing in sentinel sites reveals longitudinal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants prevalence
Wang Y, Ni G, Tian W, Wang H, Li J, Thai P, Choi PM, Jackson G, Hu S, Yang B and Guo J
The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is a significant concern, especially with the decrease in clinical sequencing efforts, which impedes the ability of public health sectors to prepare for the emergence of new variants and potential COVID-19 outbreaks. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been proposed as a surveillance program to detect and monitor the SARS-CoV-2 variants being transmitted in communities. However, research is limited in evaluating the effectiveness of wastewater collection at sentinel sites for monitoring disease prevalence and variant dynamics, especially in terms of inferring the epidemic patterns on a broader scale, such as at the state/province level. This study utilized a multiplexed tiling amplicon-based sequencing (ATOPlex) to track the longitudinal dynamics of variant of concern (VOC) in wastewater collected from municipalities in Queensland, Australia, spanning from 2020 to 2022. We demonstrated that wastewater epidemiology measured by ATOPlex exhibited a strong and consistent correlation with the number of daily confirmed cases. The VOC dynamics observed in wastewater closely aligned with the dynamic profile reported by clinical sequencing. Wastewater sequencing has the potential to provide early warning information for emerging variants. These findings suggest that WBE at sentinel sites, coupled with sensitive sequencing methods, provides a reliable and long-term disease surveillance strategy.
A longitudinal qualitative exploration of victorian healthcare workers' and organisations' evolving views and experiences during COVID-19
McGuinness SL, Eades O, Zhong S, Clifford S, Fisher J, Kelsall HL, Kirkman M, Russell G, Skouteris H, Leder K and
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted individuals, society, and healthcare organisations worldwide. Recent international research suggests that concerns, needs, and experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) have evolved throughout the pandemic. This longitudinal qualitative study explored the evolving views and experiences of Victorian healthcare workers (HCWs) and organisational key personnel during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Author Correction: Precision nutrition to reset virus-induced human metabolic reprogramming and dysregulation (HMRD) in long-COVID
Naidu AS, Wang CK, Rao P, Mancini F, Clemens RA, Wirakartakusumah A, Chiu HF, Yen CH, Porretta S, Mathai I and Naidu SAG
Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 colonization and high expression of inflammatory factors in cardiac tissue 6 months after COVID-19 recovery: a prospective cohort study
Yu S, Xu J, Yu C, Zhang X, Cheng Y, Lin D, Yan C, Guo M, Li J, He P and Cheng W
The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in myocardial autopsy tissues has been observed in certain individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the duration of cardiac involvement remains uncertain among recovered COVID-19 patients. Our study aims to evaluate the long-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 within cardiac tissue.
The Long-Term Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Body Composition
Atieh O, Durieux JC, Baissary J, Mouchati C, Labbato D, Thomas A, Merheb A, Ailstock K, Funderburg N and McComsey GA
The effect of COVID-19 infection versus the indirect effect of the pandemic on body composition remains unclear. This study investigates the long-term changes in body composition in COVID-19 survivors compared to a contemporary control group.
The Efficacy of Multivitamin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D Supplements in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 and Long-COVID: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Sinopoli A, Sciurti A, Isonne C, Santoro MM and Baccolini V
This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of any vitamin administration(s) in preventing and managing COVID-19 and/or long-COVID. Databases were searched up to May 2023 to identify randomized clinical trials comparing data on the effects of vitamin supplementation(s) versus placebo or standard of care on the two conditions of interest. Inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality between supplemented and non-supplemented individuals. Overall, 37 articles were included: two regarded COVID-19 and long-COVID prevention and 35 records the COVID-19 management. The effects of vitamin D in preventing COVID-19 and long-COVID were contrasting. Similarly, no conclusion could be drawn on the efficacy of multivitamins, vitamin A, and vitamin B in COVID-19 management. A few positive findings were reported in some vitamin C trials but results were inconsistent in most outcomes, excluding all-cause mortality (RR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72-0.97). Vitamin D results were mixed in most aspects, including mortality, in which benefits were observed in regular administrations only (RR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49-0.91). Despite some benefits, results were mostly contradictory. Variety in recruitment and treatment protocols might explain this heterogeneity. Better-designed studies are needed to clarify these vitamins' potential effects against SARS-CoV-2.
Immediate and long-term effects of COVID-19 on antibiotic dispensing: increasing use of Watch antibiotics
Tomic T, Henman M, Tadic I, Antic Stankovic J, Santric Milicevic M, Bukumiric Z, Lakic D and Odalovic M
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected antibiotic usage worldwide. However, there is limited data from Serbia. Dispensing of oral antibiotics in Serbian pharmacies was analyzed to calculate monthly and yearly changes between 2018-2021, and to explore immediate and long-term effects of COVID-19 on antibiotic dispensing during this period.
Effect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Negative Affect, and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder during COVID-19 Pandemic
Malas O and Gómez-Domenech A
: This study investigated the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing negative affect, depression, and anxiety levels as indicators of health. : A total of 287 participants were recruited, including BPD patients at different stages of treatment and the general population without a diagnosis of BPD. Questionnaires were used to assess the fear of COVID-19 and the referenced health indicators. : No differences were observed between groups in levels of fear of COVID-19, but there were differences in the health indicators studied. BPD patients in long-term treatment showed levels of negative affect similar to those of the general population, while those in early treatment stages exhibited significantly higher levels. However, no significant improvements were observed in levels of depression and anxiety in the long-term treatment group compared to those who underwent the initial treatment phase. : These findings underscore the importance of effectively intervening in BPD, especially in stress-inducing situations such as the pandemic, and suggest the need to explore complementary approaches to addressing depression and anxiety in this clinical context.
Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vasculopathy in Acute and Long-Term COVID-19: A Review
Riou M, Coste F, Meyer A, Enache I, Talha S, Charloux A, Reboul C and Geny B
Despite the end of the pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a major public health concern. The first waves of the virus led to a better understanding of its pathogenesis, highlighting the fact that there is a specific pulmonary vascular disorder. Indeed, COVID-19 may predispose patients to thrombotic disease in both venous and arterial circulation, and many cases of severe acute pulmonary embolism have been reported. The demonstrated presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the endothelial cells suggests that direct viral effects, in addition to indirect effects of perivascular inflammation and coagulopathy, may contribute to pulmonary vasculopathy in COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the pathological mechanisms leading to pulmonary vascular damage during acute infection, which appear to be mainly related to thromboembolic events, an impaired coagulation cascade, micro- and macrovascular thrombosis, endotheliitis and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. As many patients develop post-COVID symptoms, including dyspnea, we also discuss the hypothesis of pulmonary vascular damage and pulmonary hypertension as a sequela of the infection, which may be involved in the pathophysiology of long COVID.
[Rehabilitation program of post-COVID-19 syndrome with the use of nitric oxide and molecular hydrogen]
Pozdnyakova DD, Bakhareva TА, Baranova IA, Selemir VD and Chuchalin AG
Рost-COVID-19 syndrome (PS) is one of the medical and social problem. According to WHO, 10-20% of COVID-19 patients suffer from PS. The use of medical gases - inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and molecular hydrogen (iH) - may influence on the mechanisms of development PC.
The Maternal Psychic Impact of Infection by SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy: Results from a Preliminary Prospective Study
Benzakour L, Gayet-Ageron A and Epiney M
Due to a higher risk of maternal complications during pregnancy, as well as pregnancy complications such as stillbirth, SARS-CoV-2 contamination during pregnancy is a putative stress factor that could increase the risk of perinatal maternal mental health issues. We included women older than 18 years, who delivered a living baby at the Geneva University Hospitals' maternity wards after 29 weeks of amenorrhea (w.a.) and excluded women who did not read or speak fluent French. We compared women who declared having had COVID-19, confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, during pregnancy with women who did not, both at delivery and at one month postpartum. We collected clinical data by auto-questionnaires between time of childbirth and the third day postpartum regarding the occurrence of perinatal depression, peritraumatic dissociation, and peritraumatic distress during childbirth, measured, respectively, by the EPDS (depression is score > 11), PDI (peritraumatic distress is score > 15), and PDEQ (scales). At one month postpartum, we compared the proportion of women with a diagnosis of postpartum depression (PPD) and birth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD), using PCL-5 for CB-PTSD and using diagnosis criteria according DSM-5 for both PPD and CB-PTSD, in the context of a semi-structured interview, conducted by a clinician psychologist. Off the 257 women included, who delivered at the University Hospitals of Geneva between 25 January 2021 and 10 March 2022, 41 (16.1%) declared they had a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 during their pregnancy. Regarding mental outcomes, except birth-related PTSD, all scores provided higher mean values in the group of women who declared having been infected by SARS-CoV-2, at delivery and at one month postpartum, without reaching any statistical significance: respectively, 7.8 (±5.2, 8:4-10.5) versus 6.5 (±4.7, 6:3-9), = 0.139 ***, for continuous EPDS scores; 10 (25.0) versus 45 (21.1), = 0.586 *, for dichotomous EPDS scores (≥11); 118 (55.7) versus 26 (63.4), = 0.359 *, for continuous PDI scores; 18.3 (±6.8, 16:14-21) versus 21.1 (±10.7, 17:15-22), 0.231 ***, for dichotomous PDI scores (≥15); 14.7 (±5.9, 13:10-16) versus 15.7 (±7.1, 14:10-18), = 0.636 ***, for continuous PDEQ scores; 64 (30.0) versus 17 (41.5), = 0.151 *, for dichotomous PDEQ scores (≥15); and 2 (8.0) versus 5 (3.6), = 0.289 *, for postpartum depression diagnosis, according DSM-5. We performed Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests, depending on applicability for the comparison of categorical variables and Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests for continuous variables; < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Surprisingly, we did not find more birth-related PTSD as noted by the PCL-5 score at one month postpartum in women who declared a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2:15 (10.6) versus no case of birth related PTSD in women who were infected during pregnancy ( = 0.131 *). Our study showed that mental outcomes were differently distributed between women who declared having been infected by SARS-CoV-2 compared to women who were not infected. However, our study was underpowered to explore all the factors associated with psychiatric issues during pregnancy, postpartum, depending on the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Future longitudinal studies on bigger samples and more diverse populations over a longer period are needed to explore the long-term psychic impact on women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy.
[Pulmonary fibrosis after a new coronavirus infection - versions and controversies: A review]
Shchepikhin EI, Shmelev EI and Ergeshov AE
Fibrosis is a dynamic process characterized by a typical cascade of events as a result of overexpressed repair of connective tissue in response to injury, and manifested by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. The development of fibrosis is a determining factor in the pathogenesis, clinical course and prognosis of many diseases, among which interstitial lung diseases occupy a special place. According to a large Russian registry (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04492384), in a third of patients with COVID-19, the volume of lung parenchyma involvement exceeds 50% (CT 3-4). The rapid growth in the number of patients who have had a coronavirus infection with lung damage has raised the issues of its long-term consequences to the number of the most relevant in internal medicine of the current time. Often, in the outcome of a coronavirus infection, patients retain clinical and functional changes that are similar to interstitial lung diseases of a different origin, the prognosis of which is determined by the development of interstitial fibrosis and the rate of its progression. This article is an attempt to consider topical issues of fibrogenesis in patients who have undergone a new coronavirus infection through the prism of polar data on immunobiology, clinical course and prognosis.
Elevated Troponins after COVID-19 Hospitalization and Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: Incidence, Prognosis, and Clinical Outcomes-Results from a Multi-Center International Prospective Registry (HOPE-2)
Vazirani R, Feltes G, Hoyo RS, Viana-Llamas MC, Raposeiras-Roubín S, Romero R, Alfonso-Rodríguez E, Uribarri A, Santoro F, Becerra-Muñoz V, Pepe M, Castro-Mejía AF, Signes-Costa J, Gonzalez A, Marín F, Lopez-País J, Cerrato E, Vázquez-Cancela O, Espejo-Paeres C, López Masjuan Á, Velicki L, El-Battrawy I, Ramakrishna H, Fernandez-Ortiz A, Nuñez-Gil IJ and
: Acute cardiac injury (ACI) after COVID-19 has been linked with unfavorable clinical outcomes, but data on the clinical impact of elevated cardiac troponin on discharge during follow-up are scarce. Our objective is to elucidate the clinical outcome of patients with elevated troponin on discharge after surviving a COVID-19 hospitalization. : We conducted an analysis in the prospective registry HOPE-2 (NCT04778020). Only patients discharged alive were selected for analysis, and all-cause death on follow-up was considered as the primary endpoint. As a secondary endpoint, we established any long-term COVID-19 symptoms. HOPE-2 stopped enrolling patients on 31 December 2021, with 9299 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, of which 1805 were deceased during the acute phase. Finally, 2382 patients alive on discharge underwent propensity score matching by relevant baseline variables in a 1:3 fashion, from 56 centers in 8 countries. : Patients with elevated troponin experienced significantly higher all-cause death during follow-up (log-rank = 27.23, < 0.001), and had a higher chance of experiencing long-term COVID-19 cardiovascular symptoms. Specifically, fatigue and dyspnea (57.7% and 62.8%, with -values of 0.009 and <0.001, respectively) are among the most common. After surviving the acute phase, patients with elevated troponin on discharge present increased mortality and long-term COVID-19 symptoms over time, which is clinically relevant in follow-up visits.
[Clinical and morphological features of lung injury long-term after SARS-CoV-2 recovery]
Baimakanova GE, Samsonova M, Chernyaev AL, Kontorschikov AS and Belevskiy AS
To study the clinical and histological profile of lung tissue in patients with persistent pulmonary disease, respiratory symptoms and CT findings after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Correlation of Age, Gender, ABO Blood Group and Rh Factor in COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jahagirdar PB, Vaishnav K, Sarathy NA, Singh H, Nimbulkar G and Ramalingam K
The ABO blood group has long been recognized as a significant factor influencing susceptibility to infectious diseases. Numerous studies have explored the links between ABO blood types and both the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and the severity of the infection, yielding conflicting results.
Cohort profile: the Johns Hopkins COVID Long Study (JHCLS), a United States Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study
Wentz E, Ni Z, Yenokyan K, Vergara C, Pahwa J, Kammerling T, Xiao P, Duggal P, Lau B and Mehta SH
COVID-19 disease continues to affect millions of individuals worldwide, both in the short and long term. The post-acute complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, referred to as long COVID, result in diverse symptoms affecting multiple organ systems. Little is known regarding how the symptoms associated with long COVID progress and resolve over time. The Johns Hopkins COVID Long Study aims to prospectively examine the short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 disease in individuals both with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection using self-reported data collected in an online survey.
Change in the Proportion of Death at Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Associated Factors in the Municipality Level: A Nationwide Study in Japan
Sun Y, Iwagami M, Inokuchi R, Sakata N, Ito T, Taniguchi Y, Yoshie S and Tamiya N
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have led to an increase in home deaths due to hospital bed shortage and hospital visitation restrictions. This study aimed to examine changes in the proportion of home deaths before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated factors.
A Comparison of Sensorimotor Integration and Motor Fitness Components between Collegiate Athletes with and without Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pair-Matched Controls
Moustafa IM, Ahbouch A, Kader RP, Shousha TM and Alrahoomi A
Long COVID presents a concern for collegiate athletes, potentially impacting sensorimotor processing and motor fitness. This study aimed to assess these effects. This cross-sectional study involved 60 athletes diagnosed with Long COVID and 60 controls. Sensorimotor processing and integration were evaluated using neurophysiological variables (N13, P14, N20, P27, and N30), while motor fitness was assessed through balance, agility, and vertical jump testing. T-tests compared groups, and Pearson's correlations explored relationships. Significant differences ( < 0.001) were observed in neurophysiological variables and motor fitness between Long COVID and control groups. Fatigue correlated positively ( < 0.001) with neurophysiological variables in Long COVID cases but not with motor fitness ( = 0.08, = 0.07, = 0.09). Collegiate athletes with Long COVID exhibit abnormal sensorimotor processing, integration, and diminished motor fitness compared to uninfected peers. The fatigue severity of Long COVID correlates with neurophysiological changes, suggesting a link between sensorimotor deficits and fatigue. Targeted interventions for sensorimotor deficits and fatigue management are crucial for athletes recovering from Long COVID. This study underscores the importance of addressing these issues to optimize the recovery and performance of collegiate athletes affected by Long COVID.
The pan - COVID - AGICT study. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgically treated pancreatic cancer patients. A multicentric Italian study
Dorma MPF, Giuliani G, Guerra F, Santelli F, Esposito A, De Pastena M, Turri G, Pedrazzani C, Kauffmann EF, Boggi U, Solaini L, Ercolani G, Mastrangelo L, Jovine E, Di Franco G, Morelli L, Mazzola M, Ferrari G, Langella S, Ferrero A, La Mendola R, Abu Hilal M, Depalma N, D'Ugo S, Spampinato MG, Frisini M, Brolese A, Palaia R, Belli A, Cillara N, Deserra A, Cannavera A, Sagnotta A, Mancini S, Pinotti E, Montuori M, Coppola A, Di Benedetto F, Coratti A and
In this article we aimed to perform a subgroup analysis using data from the COVID-AGICT study, to investigate the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancers (PC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Incidence of New-onset Hypertension and New-onset Type 2 Diabetes during or after SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Gupta A and Duggal R
: Considering the potential clinical and therapeutic implications, there is a need to determine whether or not COVID infection induces or unmasks new-onset/newly diagnosed hypertension/diabetes during the acute phase and post-COVID-19. : In the current article, we discuss the current data at the intersection of COVID, hypertension, and COVID and diabetes, from prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms during an acute and post-COVID phase; focusing on new-onset hypertension and new onset type 2 diabetes. : We have performed a literature search via online databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar from December 2019-August 2022. The data from various studies and review articles have been included. : Current evidence suggests the occurrence of new-onset hypertension and new onset type 2 diabetes in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Data also indicate a higher risk of negative outcomes in these patients. : It is evident that the tenacity of these new-onset diseases post-COVID-19 is likely to have huge implications in terms of unexpected morbidity. Therefore, screening and follow-up of these patients seems reasonable. Clinicians shall have to deal with this evolving challenge and adequately equip themselves to address this facet of COVID-19 as well. Further data from various follow-up studies and registries like the CoviDIAB Project is required to be better equipped to propose exact recommendations for patients with NOD. On the contrary, more evidence is required for incidence and long-term sequelae for patients with new-onset hypertension. : Gupta A, Duggal R. Incidence of New-onset Hypertension and New-onset Type 2 Diabetes during or after SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(10):78-82.
Determination of COVID-19 Late Disorders as Possible Long-COVID and/or Vaccination Consequences
Sadat Larijani M, Bavand A, Banifazl M, Ashrafian F, Moradi L and Ramezani A
In this era in which the vast majority of the global population have developed COVID-19 infection and/or got vaccinated against it, identification of the late disorders as the vaccines' side effect or long-COVID manifestation seems essential. This study included the vaccinated individuals of 4 different vaccine regimens including inactivated virus-based, subunit protein, and adenovirus-based vaccines in a follow-up schedule 6-month post the booster shot. All the documented vaccine adverse events were thoroughly assessed considering the cases' medical history by Adverse Events Committee of Pasteur Institute of Iran. Totally 329 individuals who got 3 doses of vaccination were followed 6 months after the booster shots among whom 41 (12.4%) cases with the mean age of 40.9 ± 10.48 years had a type of disorder. Gynecological and osteoarticular involvements were the most common recorded disorders of which 73.1% were possibly linked to vaccination outcomes and the rest were affected by both long-COVID-19 and vaccination. Notably, the average time of symptoms persistence was 155 ± 10.4 days. This study has the advantage of long-term follow-up which presents various forms of late events in each episode of COVID-19 infection and vaccination. About 26.8% of people with persistent complications suffered from both long-COVOD/ vaccination in whom the differentiation between the vaccine side effect and long-COVID manifestation was quite challenging. Long-term follow-up studies in large population seems essential to outline the role of long-COVID and vaccination regarding persistent complications.
Determinants of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome among hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients: A 2-year follow-up study
Elias TP, Gebreamlak TW, Gebremeskel TT, Adde BL, Abie AS, Elias BP, Argaw AM, Tenaw AA and Belay BM
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome is a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms after the acute phase of the COVID-19 infection has resolved, which lowers their quality of life and ability to return to work. This study assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) among severe COVID-19 patients who were discharged from Millennium COVID-19 Care Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Psychophysiological Adaptations to Exercise Training in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review
Al-Mhanna SB, Batrakoulis A, Hofmeister M, Drenowatz C, Ghazali WSW, Badicu G, Afolabi HA, Gülü M, Wada Y, Aldhahi MI and Nikolaidis PT
Many COVID-19 patients display adverse symptoms, such as reduced physical ability, poor quality of life, and impaired pulmonary function. Therefore, this systematic review is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of physical exercise on various psychophysiological indicators among COVID-19 patients who may be at any stage of their illness (i.e., critically ill, hospitalized, postdischarge, and recovering).
Community interventions for pandemic preparedness: A scoping review of pandemic preparedness lessons from HIV, COVID-19, and other public health emergencies of international concern
Hafez S, Ismail SA, Zibwowa Z, Alhamshary N, Elsayed R, Dhaliwal M, Samuels F and Fakoya A
Community action is broadly recognised as central to comprehensive and effective system responses to pandemics. However, there is uncertainty about how and where communities can be best supported to bolster long-term resilience and preparedness. We applied a typology of community interventions (Community Informing, Consulting, Involving, Collaborating or Empowering-or CICICE) to cover the diverse range of interventions identified across the literature and used this to structure a scoping review addressing three linked topics: (i) how CICICE interventions have been understood and applied in the literature on epidemic and pandemic preparedness; (ii) the spectrum of interventions that have been implemented to strengthen CICICE and (iii) what evidence is available on their effectiveness in influencing preparedness for current and future emergencies. We drew on peer-reviewed and grey literature from the HIV (from 2000) and COVID-19 pandemics and recent public health emergencies of international concern (from 2008), identified through systematic searches in MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Collaboration database, supplemented by keyword-structured searches in GoogleScholar and websites of relevant global health organisations. Following screening and extraction, key themes were identified using a combined inductive/deductive approach. 130 papers met the criteria for inclusion. Interventions for preparedness were identified across the spectrum of CICICE. Most work on COVID-19 focused on informing and consulting rather than capacity building and empowerment. The literature on HIV was more likely to report interventions emphasising human rights perspectives and empowerment. There was little robust evidence on the role of CICICE interventions in building preparedness. Evidence of effect was most robust for multi-component interventions for HIV prevention and control. Much of the reporting focused on intermediate outcomes, including measures of health service utilisation. We put forward a series of recommendations to help address evidence shortfalls, including clarifying definitions, organising and stratifying interventions by several parameters and strengthening evaluation methods for CICICE.
ACE2: the node connecting the lung cancer and COVID-19
Liao Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Hu H, Li M and Liao C
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) collaborates with Angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 and Mas receptors to establish the ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas receptor axis. ACE2 impacts lung function and can cause lung injury due to its inflammatory effects. Additionally, ACE2 contributes to pulmonary vasculature dysfunction, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. In addition, ACE2 is a receptor for coronavirus entry into host cells, leading to coronavirus infection. Lung cancer, one of the most common respiratory diseases worldwide, has a high rate of infection. Elevated levels of ACE2 in lung cancer patients, which increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease, have been demonstrated in clinical studies and by molecular mechanisms. The association between lung cancer and SARS-CoV-2 is closely linked to ACE2. This review examines the basic pathophysiological role of ACE2 in the lung, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on lung function, the development of pulmonary fibrosis, chronic inflammation in long-term COVID patients, and the clinical research and mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of lung cancer patients to the virus. Possible mechanisms of lung cancer in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and the potential role of ACE2 in this process are also explored in this review. The role of ACE2 as a therapeutic target in the novel coronavirus infection process is also summarized. This will help to inform prevention and treatment of long-term pulmonary complications in patients.
COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination experiences and perceptions among health workers during the pandemic in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: An analytical cross-sectional study
Omale UI, Ikegwuonu CO, Nkwo GE, Nwali UIA, Nnachi OO, Ukpabi OO, Okeke IM, Ewah RL, Iyare O, Amuzie CI, Oka OU, Uduma VU and Adeke AS
COVID-19 continues to be a disease of global public health importance and requires long-term management and control. Health workers' (previous) experiences and perceptions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination/vaccination process will influence not only their subsequent use of control measures but also public experiences/perceptions. We explored the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions, and their predictors, among the health workers in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
The dynamic nature of parenting practices: a qualitative enquiry of parenting adolescents during COVID-19
Babu N, Fatima M and Arora M
Parenting practices are known to be dynamic, evolving in response to various factors such as societal changes, cultural norms, and individual circumstances. Understanding the dynamic nature of parenting is essential for comprehending its influence on children's development. This study aimed to explore the adaptive nature of parenting practices amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global event that provided a unique context for examining these dynamics.
A virtually supervised exercise program improved fitness and mental wellness in healthy and comorbidity older adult individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Canton-Martínez E, Rentería I, Machado-Parra JP, Reyes RA, Moncada-Jiménez J, Johnson DK, Gonzalez OM, Del Valle AS and Jiménez-Maldonado A
The COVID-19 pandemic affected older adults worldwide. Sedentary older adults experienced more severe adverse health effects due to their shelter-in-place. Physical activity was strongly recommended during periods of social distancing. The present study evaluated the impact of a virtually supervised exercise program on the physical fitness and mental health of Mexican older adults during the pandemic's lockdown.
Lessons learned: overcoming common challenges in reconstructing the SARS-CoV-2 genome from short-read sequencing data via CoVpipe2
Lataretu M, Drechsel O, Kmiecinski R, Trappe K, Hölzer M and Fuchs S
Accurate genome sequences form the basis for genomic surveillance programs, the added value of which was impressively demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic by tracing transmission chains, discovering new viral lineages and mutations, and assessing them for infectiousness and resistance to available treatments. Amplicon strategies employing Illumina sequencing have become widely established for variant detection and reference-based reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and are routine bioinformatics tasks. Yet, specific challenges arise when analyzing amplicon data, for example, when crucial and even lineage-determining mutations occur near primer sites.
Late Tuberculosis Reactivation After Severe Covid-19
Dormans T, Zandijk E and Stals F
Although there is no specific therapy for COVID-19, it is recommended that patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are treated with corticosteroids and anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies. Both COVID-19 itself and the treatment modalities mentioned above have suppressive effects on the immune system which may lead to an increased susceptibility to other infections. In patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) reactivation of TB infection after recovery from severe COVID-19 has been described. Most of these cases have occurred in parts of the world where tuberculosis is endemic.
Tracts in the limbic system show microstructural alterations post COVID-19 recovery
Mishra SS, Pedersini CA, Misra R, Gandhi TK, Rokers B and Biswal BB
Delirium, memory loss, attention deficit and fatigue are frequently reported by COVID survivors, yet the neurological pathways underlying these symptoms are not well understood. To study the possible mechanisms for these long-term sequelae after COVID-19 recovery, we investigated the microstructural properties of white matter in Indian cohorts of COVID-recovered patients and healthy controls. For the cross-sectional study presented here, we recruited 44 COVID-recovered patients and 29 healthy controls in New Delhi, India. Using deterministic whole-brain tractography on the acquired diffusion MRI scans, we traced 20 white matter tracts and compared fractional anisotropy, axial, mean and radial diffusivity between the cohorts. Our results revealed statistically significant differences ( < 0.01) in the uncinate fasciculus, cingulum cingulate, cingulum hippocampus and arcuate fasciculus in COVID survivors, suggesting the presence of microstructural abnormalities. Additionally, in a subsequent subgroup analysis based on infection severity (healthy control, non-hospitalized patients and hospitalized patients), we observed a correlation between tract diffusion measures and COVID-19 infection severity. Although there were significant differences between healthy controls and infected groups, we found no significant differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID patients. Notably, the identified tracts are part of the limbic system and orbitofrontal cortex, indicating microstructural differences in neural circuits associated with memory and emotion. The observed white matter alterations in the limbic system resonate strongly with the functional deficits reported in Long COVID. Overall, our study provides additional evidence that damage to the limbic system could be a neuroimaging signature of Long COVID. The findings identify targets for follow-up studies investigating the long-term physiological and psychological impact of COVID-19.
Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pediatric study protocol: Rationale, objectives and design
Gross RS, Thaweethai T, Rosenzweig EB, Chan J, Chibnik LB, Cicek MS, Elliott AJ, Flaherman VJ, Foulkes AS, Gage Witvliet M, Gallagher R, Gennaro ML, Jernigan TL, Karlson EW, Katz SD, Kinser PA, Kleinman LC, Lamendola-Essel MF, Milner JD, Mohandas S, Mudumbi PC, Newburger JW, Rhee KE, Salisbury AL, Snowden JN, Stein CR, Stockwell MS, Tantisira KG, Thomason ME, Truong DT, Warburton D, Wood JC, Ahmed S, Akerlundh A, Alshawabkeh AN, Anderson BR, Aschner JL, Atz AM, Aupperle RL, Baker FC, Balaraman V, Banerjee D, Barch DM, Baskin-Sommers A, Bhuiyan S, Bind MC, Bogie AL, Bradford T, Buchbinder NC, Bueler E, Bükülmez H, Casey BJ, Chang L, Chrisant M, Clark DB, Clifton RG, Clouser KN, Cottrell L, Cowan K, D'Sa V, Dapretto M, Dasgupta S, Dehority W, Dionne A, Dummer KB, Elias MD, Esquenazi-Karonika S, Evans DN, Faustino EVS, Fiks AG, Forsha D, Foxe JJ, Friedman NP, Fry G, Gaur S, Gee DG, Gray KM, Handler S, Harahsheh AS, Hasbani K, Heath AC, Hebson C, Heitzeg MM, Hester CM, Hill S, Hobart-Porter L, Hong TKF, Horowitz CR, Hsia DS, Huentelman M, Hummel KD, Irby K, Jacobus J, Jacoby VL, Jone PN, Kaelber DC, Kasmarcak TJ, Kluko MJ, Kosut JS, Laird AR, Landeo-Gutierrez J, Lang SM, Larson CL, Lim PPC, Lisdahl KM, McCrindle BW, McCulloh RJ, McHugh K, Mendelsohn AL, Metz TD, Miller J, Mitchell EC, Morgan LM, Müller-Oehring EM, Nahin ER, Neale MC, Ness-Cochinwala M, Nolan SM, Oliveira CR, Osakwe O, Oster ME, Payne RM, Portman MA, Raissy H, Randall IG, Rao S, Reeder HT, Rosas JM, Russell MW, Sabati AA, Sanil Y, Sato AI, Schechter MS, Selvarangan R, Sexson Tejtel SK, Shakti D, Sharma K, Squeglia LM, Srivastava S, Stevenson MD, Szmuszkovicz J, Talavera-Barber MM, Teufel RJ, Thacker D, Trachtenberg F, Udosen MM, Warner MR, Watson SE, Werzberger A, Weyer JC, Wood MJ, Yin HS, Zempsky WT, Zimmerman E, Dreyer BP and
The prevalence, pathophysiology, and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 [PASC] or "Long COVID") in children and young adults remain unknown. Studies must address the urgent need to define PASC, its mechanisms, and potential treatment targets in children and young adults.
Long-term health conditions and UK labour market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Webb EJD, Conaghan PG, Henderson M, Hulme C, Kingsbury SR, Munyombwe T, West R and Martin A
Long-term health conditions can affect labour market outcomes. COVID-19 may have increased labour market inequalities, e.g. due to restricted opportunities for clinically vulnerable people. Evaluating COVID-19's impact could help target support.
Assessment of the characteristics of COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel working in long-term care facilities
Mansoor AE, O'Neil CA, McDonald D, Fraser VJ, Babcock HM, Kwon JH and
Between May and June 2021, healthcare personnel at two long-term care facilities underwent SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin G testing and completed a survey on COVID-19 exposures and symptoms. Antibody positivity rate was 8.9%. Similar rates of COVID-19 exposure occurred in non-occupational and occupational settings, with high self-reported adherence to workplace infection prevention practices.
Management of cognitive impairment associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome: recommendations for primary care
Zifko U, Guendling K, Seet R and Kasper S
Although post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with cognitive impairment is increasingly encountered in primary care, evidence-based recommendations for its appropriate management are lacking. A systematic literature search evaluating the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment associated with PCS was conducted. Practical recommendations for the management of PCS-associated cognitive impairment in primary care are summarized, based on an evaluation of pharmacological plausibility and clinical applications. Currently, the pathology of cognitive impairment associated with PCS remains unclear with no high-quality data to support targeted interventions. Existing treatment approaches are directed towards symptom relief where counseling on the chronicity of the disease and regular reassessments at 4- to 8-week intervals is considered reasonable. Patients should be informed and encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle that centers around balanced nutrition and appropriate physical activities. They may also benefit from the intake of vitamins, micronutrients, and probiotics. The administration of extract could offer a safe and potentially beneficial treatment option. Other non-pharmacological measures include physiotherapy, digitally supported cognitive training, and, if indicated, ergotherapy or speech therapy. In most patients, symptoms improve within 8 weeks. If serious, ambiguous, or when new symptoms occur, specialized diagnostic measures such as comprehensive neurocognitive testing or neuroimaging should be initiated. Very few patients would require inpatient rehabilitation. PCS with cognitive impairment is a debilitating condition that could affect daily functioning and reduce work productivity. Management in primary care should adopt a multidisciplinary approach, centering around physical, cognitive, and pharmacological therapies.

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