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Bayuo J, Agbeko AE, Wong AKC, Wong FKY, Baafi EO, Baffour PK, Naw HE, Agbenorku P. Global epidemiology of geriatric burns, capacities of care, and injury outcomes: Perspectives from the World Health Organization global burn registry. Burns 2023; 49:1796-1807. [PMID: 37945508 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing aging population alongside a potentially increasing injury risk emphasizes a critical need for evidence-based burn care regarding preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to the unique needs of older adults. However, we note a critical gap in understanding geriatric burn trends on a global scale and the care capacity across settings. Thus, this study sought to ascertain the global trend of geriatric burns with a focus on patient demographics, injury characteristics, capacities of care, and injury outcomes. METHODS A retrospective design focusing on older adults aged ≥ 60 years with burns recorded in the World Health Organization Global Burn Registry as of 31st May 2023 was employed. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. RESULTS Of the 9277 records obtained from the Global Burn Registry, 849 participants (9.2%) were aged ≥ 60 years with the majority of these reported from the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) and Southeast Asia (SEARO) regions. More females than males were involved in burn injuries with the most common aetiological factor being flame. Most burns occurred in the home/ domestic setting with a seasonal variation (more injuries occurred in December and January). In terms of burn care capacity, the data suggest the availability of specialized services in most settings albeit the AFRO and SEARO regions still lacked the resources to offer specialized burn care. While most injured older adults were discharged home with no physical impairment (395, 46.5%), a substantial number died (250, 29.4%) during hospitalization, particularly in the African (AFRO) region and 111 (11.1%) left the facility against medical advice with the majority from the SEARO region (88). CONCLUSION Burn injuries in older adults remain a public health issue. On the preventive aspect, the results demonstrate a need to intensify safety in the home or domestic setting, and during festive seasons. Therapeutically, the findings underscore a need to consider the inclusion of more specialist geriatric and palliative care services in the burn management process. Additionally, we identified a need to strengthen burn care capacity in the AFRO and SEARO regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bayuo
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; Department of Nursing, Presbyterian University, Ghana.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hser Eh Naw
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Pius Agbenorku
- Directorate of Surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana; School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
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Dorobantu M, Cojocaru C, Stanciulescu L, Pop C, Bala C, Benedek T, Parepa I, Lighezan D, Darabont R, Darabantiu D, Mitu F, Gheorghita V, Scafa-Udriste A, Gheorghe-Fronea OF. Ups and downs of conducting a national representative survey on hypertension during pandemic time: main results of SEPHAR IV. J Hypertens 2023; 41:1271-1280. [PMID: 37195226 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This national representative survey sought to assess hypertension's prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in Romania. METHODS A representative sample (by age, sex and residence) of 1477 Romanian adults (51.19 ± 16.61 years, range 18-80 years, 59.9% women) was multimodally evaluated during two study visits. Hypertension was defined as SBP at least 140 mmHg and/or DBP at least 90 mmHg or previously diagnosed hypertension, regardless of BP. Awareness was defined by knowledge of previous hypertension diagnosis or of current use of antihypertensive treatment. Treatment was defined by antihypertensive medication taken at least 2 weeks prior to enrolment. Control was defined as SBP less than 140 mmHg and DBP less than 90 mmHg at both visits in treated hypertensive patients. RESULTS Hypertension prevalence was 46% ( n = 680) consisting of 81.02% ( n = 551) known hypertensive patients and 18.98% ( n = 129) newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were: 81% ( n = 551), 83.8% ( n = 462) and 39.2% ( n = 181). CONCLUSION Despite numerous pandemic-related obstacles in conducting a national survey, SEPHAR IV updates hypertension epidemiological data of a high-cardiovascular-risk Eastern-European population. This study confirms previous predictions of hypertension prevalence, treatment and control, which remain unfavourable because of unsatisfactory control of promoting factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dorobantu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Romanian Academy
| | - Cosmin Cojocaru
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Cardiology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bucharest
| | | | - Calin Pop
- Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Baia Mare, Baia Mare
| | - Cornelia Bala
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hateganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca
| | - Theodora Benedek
- Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Targu Mures
| | - Irinel Parepa
- Cardiology Department, "Ovidius" University Constanta, Constanta
| | - Daniel Lighezan
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
| | - Roxana Darabont
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Cardiology Department, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Bucharest
| | | | - Florin Mitu
- Cardiology Department, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, Iaşi
| | - Valeriu Gheorghita
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Central Military Emergency University Hospital Dr Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Scafa-Udriste
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Cardiology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bucharest
| | - Oana-Florentina Gheorghe-Fronea
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Cardiology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bucharest
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Hambleton IR, Caixeta R, Jeyaseelan SM, Luciani S, Hennis AJ. The rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the Americas and the impact of population aging: a secondary analysis of available data. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH - AMERICAS 2023; 21:100483. [PMID: 37065858 PMCID: PMC10090658 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Public health progress in the Americas has reduced the burden of many infectious diseases, helping more people live longer lives. At the same time, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. NCD prevention rightly focuses on lifestyle risk factors, social, and economic determinants of health. There is less published information on the importance of population growth and aging to the regional NCD burden. Methods For 33 countries in the Americas, we used United Nations population data to describe rates of population growth and aging over two generations (1980-2060). We used World Health Organization estimates of mortality and disability (disability-adjusted life years, DALYs) to describe changes in the NCD burden between 2000 and 2019. After combining these data resources, we decomposed the change in the number of deaths and DALYs to estimate the percentage change due to population growth, due to population aging, and due to epidemiological advances, measured by changing mortality and DALY rates. In a supplement, we provide a summary briefing for each country. Findings In 1980, the proportion of the regional population aged 70 and older was 4.6%. It rose to 7.8% by 2020 and is predicted to rise to 17.4% by 2060. Across the Americas, DALY rate reductions would have decreased the number of DALYs by 18% between 2000 and 2019 but was offset by a 28% increase due to population aging and a 22% increase due to population growth. Although the region enjoyed widespread reductions in rates of disability, these improvements have not been sufficiently large to offset the pressures of population growth and population aging. Interpretation The region of the Americas is aging and the pace of this aging is predicted to increase. The demographic realities of population growth and population aging should be factored into healthcare planning, to understand their implications for the future NCD burden, the health system needs, and the readiness of governments and communities to respond to those needs. Funding This work was funded in part by the Pan American Health Organization, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
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Yousefi M, Fazaeli S, Mohammad-pour S. Years of life lost (YLL) associated with COVID-19 deaths in Khorasan-RAZAVI province, Iran. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:259-266. [PMID: 34927698 PMCID: PMC8754705 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of deaths among people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) does not show the true impact of the disease on communities. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death in patients with COVID-19. METHODS We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study based on data from one of the largest provinces of Iran, in the period 13 February 2020 to 17 May 2021. We used WHO proposed guidelines for the calculation of the burden of diseases to calculate the YLL among patients with COVID-19, taking into consideration gender in different age groups. RESULTS Findings showed that 13 628 deaths were due to COVID-19 with associated 249 309 YLL. The study reported higher mortality among men (1222 cases) in the age group over 85 years than in women (840) of the same age group. The minimum number of YLL for men was 1749 in the 5-9 years age group and that for women was 1551 years in the 14-10 years age group. CONCLUSION The high number of deaths due to COVID-19 has led to high YLL due to premature death. The provision of adequate health care and appropriate policies will bring about a decrease in YLL due to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Yousefi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9137673119, Iran
| | - Somayeh Fazaeli
- School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9177648964, Iran
| | - Saeed Mohammad-pour
- School of Management and Medical Information, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1996713883, Iran
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Al-Dahery ST, Alsharif WM, Alamri FH, Nawawi SA, Mofti WK, Alhazmi FH, Alshamrani KM, Suliman AG, Qurashi AA. The role of teleradiology during COVID-19 outbreak: Saudi radiologists' perspectives. Saudi Med J 2023; 44:202-210. [PMID: 36773982 PMCID: PMC9987691 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2023.44.2.20220793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of teleradiology during the COVID-19 pandemic from Saudi radiologists' perspectives to improve the radiology quality service. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia among radiologists working at local hospitals from October to November 2021. It contains 21 questions involved demographic information; general information on teleradiology services; and the impact of teleradiology during COVID-19. One-way ANOVA was used to compare demographic groups. Chi-square test was used to compare demographic groups regarding their distribution of responses. All tests were carried out <0.05 level of significance. RESULTS A total of 102 radiologists participated in this study (56% males, 44% females), 58.8% of them were sub-specialized in chest radiology. Regarding the general status of teleradiology, 69.6% of participants believed that teleradiology is a helpful tool for imaging interpretation. However, 44% of them were uncertain on the impact of teleradiology on patients' confidentiality. Approximately 87% of participants agreed that there is a positive contribution of teleradiology during COVID-19, which enables decreasing risk of infection and workload. There was a significant difference between professional degrees and overall participant responses (p<0.05). Academicians agreed that it enhances radiology departments' work (mean=17.78, SD=1.86). CONCLUSION Concerns raised on complicated cases that require physical presence of patients, cannot be performed by teleradiology. Additionally, it might provide insufficient communication with other professionals to discuss images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrooq T. Al-Dahery
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Address correspondence and reprint request to: Dr. Shrooq T. Al-Dahery, Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail: ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-0011
| | - Walaa M. Alsharif
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fatima H. Alamri
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shahad A. Nawawi
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Wed K. Mofti
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fahad H. Alhazmi
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Khalid M. Alshamrani
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Awadia G. Suliman
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdulaziz A. Qurashi
- From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Hvalič-Touzery S, Trkman M, Dolničar V. Caregiving Situation as a Predictor of Subjective Caregiver Burden: Informal Caregivers of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14496. [PMID: 36361373 PMCID: PMC9655837 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created and exacerbated emotional, financial, and technical challenges for informal caregivers of older people. The aim of this study was to explore the caregiving situation and subjective burden of informal caregivers of older family members during COVID-19, and to investigate how a caregiving situation's characteristics predict the subjective burden of care in times of COVID-19. The study was conducted in April and May 2021 via an online access panel. The sample (n = 612) was determined using a screening test that enabled us to focus on a Slovenian population of informal caregivers aged 40+ caring for a person aged 65+ for at least four hours/week on average. Our findings reveal that the subjective burden of care was high among informal caregivers during COVID-19. Multiple regression analysis showed that the provision of activities of daily living, care duration, average hours of care per week, formal care status, and recipients' health problems related to dementia or other memory problems significantly predicted the subjective burden of caregivers. These findings call for better recognition of the role of informal caregivers. The time and effort devoted to informal care should be supported by legislation and social security.
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Ng JS, Hamilton DG. Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening and diagnosis rates: A rapid review and meta-analysis. J Med Screen 2022; 29:209-218. [PMID: 35593115 DOI: 10.1177/09691413221101807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused an indefinite delay to cancer screening programs worldwide. This study aims to explore the impact on breast cancer screening outcomes such as mammography and diagnosis rates. METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, medRxiv and bioRxiv between January 2020 to October 2021 to identify studies that reported on the rates of screening mammography and breast cancer diagnosis before and during the pandemic. The effects of 'lockdown' measures, age and ethnicity on outcomes were also examined. All studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Rate ratios were calculated for all outcomes and pooled using standard inverse-variance random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS We identified 994 articles, of which 7 registry-based and 24 non-registry-based retrospective cohort studies, including data on 4,860,786 and 629,823 patients respectively across 18 different countries, were identified. Overall, breast cancer screening and diagnosis rates dropped by an estimated 41-53% and 18-29% respectively between 2019 and 2020. No differences in mammogram screening rates depending on patient age or ethnicity were observed. However, countries that implemented lockdown measures were associated with a significantly greater reduction in mammogram and diagnosis rates between 2019 and 2020 in comparison to those that did not. CONCLUSION The pandemic has caused a substantial reduction in the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer, with reductions more pronounced in countries under lockdown restrictions. It is early yet to know if delayed screening during the pandemic translates into higher breast cancer mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Shen Ng
- Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, 569586The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Malacca General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Daniel G Hamilton
- Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, 569586The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,MetaMelb Research Group, School of BioSciences, 2281The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Deiner MS, Seitzman GD, Kaur G, McLeod SD, Chodosh J, Lietman TM, Porco TC. Sustained Reductions in Online Search Interest for Communicable Eye and Other Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Infodemiology Study. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:e31732. [PMID: 35320981 PMCID: PMC8931841 DOI: 10.2196/31732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background In a prior study at the start of the pandemic, we reported reduced numbers of Google searches for the term “conjunctivitis” in the United States in March and April 2020 compared with prior years. As one explanation, we conjectured that reduced information-seeking may have resulted from social distancing reducing contagious conjunctivitis cases. Here, after 1 year of continued implementation of social distancing, we asked if there have been persistent reductions in searches for “conjunctivitis,” and similarly for other communicable disease terms, compared to control terms. Objective The aim of this study was to determine if reduction in searches in the United States for terms related to conjunctivitis and other common communicable diseases occurred in the spring-winter season of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare this outcome to searches for terms representing noncommunicable conditions, COVID-19, and to seasonality. Methods Weekly relative search frequency volume data from Google Trends for 68 search terms in English for the United States were obtained for the weeks of March 2011 through February 2021. Terms were classified a priori as 16 terms related to COVID-19, 29 terms representing communicable conditions, and 23 terms representing control noncommunicable conditions. To reduce bias, all analyses were performed while masked to term names, classifications, and locations. To test for the significance of changes during the pandemic, we detrended and compared postpandemic values to those expected based on prepandemic trends, per season, computing one- and two-sided P values. We then compared these P values between term groups using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher exact tests to assess if non-COVID-19 terms representing communicable diseases were more likely to show significant reductions in searches in 2020-2021 than terms not representing such diseases. We also assessed any relationship between a term’s seasonality and a reduced search trend for the term in 2020-2021 seasons. P values were subjected to false discovery rate correction prior to reporting. Data were then unmasked. Results Terms representing conjunctivitis and other communicable conditions showed a sustained reduced search trend in the first 4 seasons of the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic compared to prior years. In comparison, the search for noncommunicable condition terms was significantly less reduced (Wilcoxon and Fisher exact tests, P<.001; summer, autumn, winter). A significant correlation was also found between reduced search for a term in 2020-2021 and seasonality of that term (Theil-Sen, P<.001; summer, autumn, winter). Searches for COVID-19–related conditions were significantly elevated compared to those in prior years, and searches for influenza-related terms were significantly lower than those for prior years in winter 2020-2021 (P<.001). Conclusions We demonstrate the low-cost and unbiased use of online search data to study how a wide range of conditions may be affected by large-scale interventions or events such as social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings support emerging clinical evidence implicating social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic in the reduction of communicable disease and on ocular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Deiner
- Francis I Proctor Foundation University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
| | - Gerami D Seitzman
- Francis I Proctor Foundation University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
| | - Gurbani Kaur
- School of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
| | - Stephen D McLeod
- Francis I Proctor Foundation University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
| | - James Chodosh
- Department of Ophthalmology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Harvard Medical School Boston, MA United States
| | - Thomas M Lietman
- Francis I Proctor Foundation University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Global Health Sciences University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
| | - Travis C Porco
- Francis I Proctor Foundation University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Global Health Sciences University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA United States
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