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Chew CC, Lim XJ, Letchumanan P, George D, Rajan P, Chong CP. The effectiveness of pharmacist-led educational model in adult patients with allergic rhinitis: a single-center randomized control trial protocol (AR-PRISE RCT). Trials 2024; 25:279. [PMID: 38664701 PMCID: PMC11044482 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08111-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis is a chronic respiratory disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL) and work performance. Pharmacists are recognized as suitable professionals to provide patient education and pharmaceutical care for managing allergic rhinitis patients. However, local clinical practice guidelines, particularly regarding pharmaceutical care in public healthcare institutions, are lacking. This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led educational model (AR-PRISE Model) in managing allergic rhinitis in adult patients compared to standard pharmaceutical care. The AR-PRISE model delivers patient educational material and a pharmaceutical care algorithm. METHOD This is a 6-month, single-center, prospective, randomized, two-arm, and parallel-group controlled trial. The trial recruits patients attending the otorhinolaryngology clinics of a tertiary referral hospital. Participants are randomized into control or intervention groups in a 1:1 ratio using permuted block randomization. The total number of participants estimated is 154, with each group requiring 77 participants. The control group receives standard pharmaceutical care, while the intervention group receives pharmacist-led education according to the AR-PRISE model. Both groups are assessed for middle turbinate endoscopy findings, disease severity, knowledge level, symptom control, medication adherence, and QoL at baseline and the end-of-study follow-up (day 180 ± 7). Depending on feasibility, intermediate follow-ups are conducted on days 60 ± 7 and 120 ± 7, either virtually or face-to-face. During intermediate follow-ups, participants are assessed for symptom control, medication adherence, and QoL. The intention-to-treat analysis includes all participants assigned to each group. An independent T-test compares the mean difference in knowledge level between the two groups. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA analysis is employed to determine between-group differences for scores of symptom control, adherence rate, and QoL. A P-value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. DISCUSSION This study protocol will provide a framework for conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist-led education intervention in managing allergic rhinitis within public healthcare settings. The parameters measured in this trial will quantify outcomes associated with improvements in symptoms and QoL. By systematically assessing these outcomes, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the role of pharmacist-led interventions in enhancing the management of allergic rhinitis in public healthcare settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06027736 . Registered on 9 July 2023-retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chii-Chii Chew
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, 11800, Malaysia
| | - Xin-Jie Lim
- Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health, Level 4, Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC), Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia.
| | - Pathma Letchumanan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Doris George
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Taiping, Ministry of Health, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Philip Rajan
- Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health, Level 4, Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC), Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Chee Ping Chong
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, 11800, Malaysia
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Sun D, Zhu X, Bao Z, Lin X. Association between healthy lifestyles and post-COVID-19 syndrome among college students. Ann Thorac Med 2024; 19:139-146. [PMID: 38766372 PMCID: PMC11100468 DOI: 10.4103/atm.atm_219_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-COVID-19 syndrome still occurs in some populations. A healthy lifestyle is widely recognized as a first-line treatment to increase the body's antiviral resistance and tissue repair, but it is unclear whether a healthy lifestyle can promote or alleviate the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS A stratified random sampling method was used to select 498 participants from three universities in Fujian as the target of the questionnaire survey. The survey focused on students' healthy lifestyles and the symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression that are common in post-COVID-19 syndrome. RESULTS Two months after developing COVID-19, some students continued to experience fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression, with fatigue being the most prominent symptom. The results of the study showed that there was a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between a healthy lifestyle and fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression among university students. Furthermore, when analyzing the different subdimensions of healthy lifestyles among university students, it was found that all dimensions showed varying degrees of negative correlation with fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression, except for health-related behaviors and interpersonal behaviors, which showed no relationship with fatigue (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS By improving healthy lifestyles, long-term COVID-19 symptoms can be reduced and improved and contribute positively to patient recovery, providing a viable rehabilitation option for long-term COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhuo Sun
- Department of Recreation Tourism and Sports Management, Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Xiangfei Zhu
- Department of Recreation Tourism and Sports Management, Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Zhonghan Bao
- Department of Recreation Tourism and Sports Management, Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Xiaoping Lin
- Department of Recreation Tourism and Sports Management, Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Sommen SL, Zhao Z, Segtnan S, Stiansen-Sonerud T, Selvakumar J, Beier Havdal L, Gjerstad J, Wyller VBB, Lund Berven L. Bulk RNA sequencing for analysis of post COVID-19 condition in adolescents and young adults. J Transl Med 2024; 22:312. [PMID: 38532465 PMCID: PMC10964710 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05117-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a complication of SARS-COV-2 infection and can lead to long-term disability. METHODS The present study was designed to analyse the gene expression patterns of PCC through bulk RNA sequencing of whole blood and to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of PCC. Whole blood was collected from 80 participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study following SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals for 6 months after recruitment and was used for bulk RNA sequencing. Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEG), pathway enrichment and immune cell deconvolution was performed to explore potential biological pathways involved in PCC. RESULTS We have found 13 differentially expressed genes associated with PCC. Enriched pathways were related to interferon-signalling and anti-viral immune processes. CONCLUSION The PCC transcriptome is characterized by a modest overexpression of interferon-stimulated genes, pointing to a subtle ongoing inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lauren Sommen
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Zhi Zhao
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Tonje Stiansen-Sonerud
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Joel Selvakumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Beier Havdal
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Johannes Gjerstad
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Lund Berven
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
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Takács J, Deák D, Koller A. Higher level of physical activity reduces mental and neurological symptoms during and two years after COVID-19 infection in young women. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6927. [PMID: 38519586 PMCID: PMC10960016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies found that regular physical activity (PA) can lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), yet its specific effects in young women have not yet been investigated. Thus, we aimed to examine whether regular physical activity reduces the number of symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection among young women aged between 18 and 34 (N = 802), in which the confounding effect of other morbidities could be excluded. The average time since infection was 23.5 months. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on the reported minutes per week of moderate and vigorous PA. Using the Post-COVID-19 Case Report Form, 50 different symptoms were assessed. Although regular PA did not decrease the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and PCC but significantly reduced the number of mental and neurological symptoms both in acute COVID-19 and PCC. Importantly, the high level of PA had a greater impact on health improvements. In addition, the rate of reinfection decreased with an increased level of PA. In conclusion, a higher level of regular PA can reduce the risk of reinfection and the number of mental and neurological symptoms in PCC underlying the importance of regular PA, even in this and likely other viral disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Takács
- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Darina Deák
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Akos Koller
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, HUN-REN-SE Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disease Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Research Center for Sport Physiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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Kanauchi O, Low ZX, Jounai K, Tsuji R, AbuBakar S. Overview of anti-viral effects of probiotics via immune cells in pre-, mid- and post-SARS-CoV2 era. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1280680. [PMID: 38116008 PMCID: PMC10728489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1280680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant global changes and increased public awareness of SARS-CoV-2. Substantial progress in developing vaccines, enhancing sanitation practices, and implementing various measures to combat the virus, including the utilization of probiotics has been made. This comprehensive review examined the medical impact of clinically proven probiotics on infectious diseases, considering three crucial time periods: before (pre-), during (mid-), and after (post-) COVID-19 pandemic era. This review also showed a perspective on the use of probiotics to stimulate the innate immune system and prevent infectious diseases. In pre-COVID-19 era, several probiotic strains were found to be clinically effective in addressing gastrointestinal infectious diseases, the common cold and flu. However, the mechanism by which probiotics exerted their antiviral effects remained relatively unclear during that period. Nevertheless, probiotics, Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma), and others have gained attention for their unique ability to modulate the immune system and demonstrate antiviral properties. While some probiotics have shown promise in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms linked to COVID-19, their direct effectiveness in treating or preventing COVID-19 progression has not yet been conclusively established. As we transition into the post-COVID-19 era, the relationship between COVID-19 and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a vital component of the innate immune system, has been gradually elucidated. These findings are now being applied in developing novel vaccines and treatments involving interferons and in immune activation research using probiotics as adjuvants, comparable to CpG-DNA through TLR9. The role of the local innate immune system, including pDCs, as the first line of defense against viral infections has gained increasing interest. Moving forward, insight of the immune system and the crosstalk between probiotics and the innate immune system is expected to highlight the role of probiotics in adjunctive immunoregulatory therapy. In combination with drug treatments, probiotics may play a more substantial role in enhancing immune responses. The immunoregulatory approach using probiotics such as LC-Plasma, which can induce anti-infectious factors such as interferons, holds promise as a viable therapeutic and prophylactic option against viral infectious diseases due to their good safety profile and protective efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Kanauchi
- Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Institute of Health Sciences, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Zhao Xuan Low
- Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kenta Jounai
- Institute of Health Sciences, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Ryohei Tsuji
- Institute of Health Sciences, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Körner RW, Bansemir OY, Franke R, Sturm J, Dafsari HS. Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1598. [PMID: 37892261 PMCID: PMC10605545 DOI: 10.3390/children10101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes transient cardiorespiratory and neurological disorders, and severe acute illness is rare among children. Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) may cause profound, persistent phenotypes with increasing prevalence. Its manifestation and risk factors remain elusive. In this monocentric study, we hypothesized that atopy, the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response, is a risk factor for the manifestation of pediatric PCC. We present a patient cohort (n = 28) from an early pandemic period (2021-2022) with comprehensive evaluations of phenotypes, pulmonary function, and molecular investigations. PCC predominantly affected adolescents and presented with fatigue, dyspnea, and post-exertional malaise. Sensitizations to aeroallergens were found in 93% of cases. We observed elevated IgE levels (mean 174.2 kU/L, reference < 100 kU/L) regardless of disease severity. Concurrent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) was found in 29% of patients that also faced challenges in school attendance. ME/CFS manifestation was significantly associated with elevated immunoglobulin G subclasses IgG3 (p < 0.05) and IgG4 (p < 0.05). A total of 57% of patients showed self-limiting disease courses with mean recovery at 12.7 months (range 5-25 months), 29% at 19.2 months (range 12-30 months), and the rest demonstrated overall improvement. These findings offer additional insights into immune dysregulation as a risk factor for pediatric PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Walter Körner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ole Yannick Bansemir
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosa Franke
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Julius Sturm
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hormos Salimi Dafsari
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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