1
|
Lilov A, Palaveev K, Mitev V. High Doses of Colchicine Act As "Silver Bullets" Against Severe COVID-19. Cureus 2024; 16:e54441. [PMID: 38510906 PMCID: PMC10951753 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A 48-year-old patient with a weight of 120 kg with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gout was hospitalized on the third day of the COVID-19 diagnosis. His general condition is relatively good, oxygen saturation is 89%. Despite starting standard treatment, on the seventh day from the onset of symptoms, the patient deteriorated sharply (oxygen saturation dropped to 74%). The negative development of the disease is interrupted with a loading dose of colchicine of 6 mg. This is a typical case of the life-saving effect of high but safe doses of colchicine in high-risk COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lilov
- Pulmonology, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment Pneumo-Pneumonia-Phthisiatric Diseases (SHATPPD) "Sofia District" Hospital, Sofia, BGR
| | - Kiril Palaveev
- Pulmonology, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment Pneumo-Pneumonia-Phthisiatric Diseases (SHATPPD) "Sofia District" Hospital, Sofia, BGR
| | - Vanyo Mitev
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, BGR
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Socolovsky M, Lu JCY, Zarra F, Wei CK, Chang TNJ, Chuang DCC. Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with a Previous Phrenic Nerve Transfer for a Traumatic Brachial Plexus Palsy. J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2024; 19:e20-e26. [PMID: 38868462 PMCID: PMC11168810 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background With the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some doubts have been raised regarding the potential respiratory problems that patients who previously underwent a phrenic nerve transfer could have. Objectives To analyze the effects of the coronavirus infection on two populations, one from Argentina and another from Taiwan. Specific objectives were: (1) to identify the rate of COVID in patients with a history of phrenic nerve transfer for treatment of palsy; (2) to identify the overall symptom profile; (3) to compare Argentinian versus Taiwanese populations; and (4) to determine if any phrenic nerve transfer patients are at particular risk of more severe COVID. Methods A telephonic survey that included data regarding the number of episodes of acute COVID-19 infection, the symptoms it caused, the presence or absence of potential or life-threatening complications, and the status of COVID-19 vaccination were studied. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, with categorical variables conducted using either the Pearson χ2 analysis or the Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. Results A total of 77 patients completed the survey, 40 from Taiwan and 37 from Argentina. Fifty-five (71.4%) developed a diagnosis of COVID. However, among these, only four had any level of dyspnea reported (4/55 = 7.3%), all mild. There were also no admissions to hospital or an intensive care unit, no intubations, and no deaths. All 55 patients isolated themselves at home. Conclusions It can be concluded that an acute COVID-19 infection was very well tolerated in our patients. (Level of evidence 3b, case reports).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Socolovsky
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Johnny Chuieng-Yi Lu
- Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Francisco Zarra
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanatorio Guemes, University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chen Kuan Wei
- Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tommy Nai-Jen Chang
- Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - David Chwei-Chin Chuang
- Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Eltaybani S, Igarashi A, Cal A, Lai CKY, Carrasco C, Sari DW, Cho E, Haugan G, Bravo JD, Abouzeid NA, Wachholz PA, Isaramalai SA, Dawood SS, Pappas Y, Abd El Moneam AAEG, Rodríguez AB, Alqahtani BA, Pereira CLN, Jenssen CRS, Yu DSF, Ahmed FR, Mendes FRP, Randhawa G, Ahmed HAESH, Suzuki H, Prambudi H, Avci IA, Waluyo I, Nurbaeti I, Vseteckova J, Horne JK, Liu JY, Ingstad K, Kashiwabara K, Grant L, Abd El Moniem MM, Sakka M, Abdelgawad ME, Subu MA, Kentzer N, Almadani NA, Tomas-Carus P, Rodrigues Garcia RCM, Indarwati R, Maneerat S, Chien WT, Amamiya Y, Cavalcanti YW, Yamamoto-Mitani N. Long-term care facilities' response to the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, cross-sectional survey. J Adv Nurs 2024; 80:350-365. [PMID: 37452500 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To (i) assess the adherence of long-term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre-pandemic in-service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work-life imbalance. CONCLUSIONS Pre-pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks. IMPACT This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre-pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No Patient or Public Contribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sameh Eltaybani
- Global Nursing Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Igarashi
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayse Cal
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Claudia K Y Lai
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Cristina Carrasco
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | - Eunhee Cho
- Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University, College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gørill Haugan
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Public Health Nursing, Trondheim, Norway
- Nord University, Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Levanger, Norway
| | - Jorge D Bravo
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre(CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Nesreen A Abouzeid
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | - Shaimaa Samir Dawood
- Gerontological nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yannis Pappas
- Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, luton, UK
| | | | - Ana Beatriz Rodríguez
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | - Catarina Lino Neto Pereira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Doris S F Yu
- School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Fatma Refaat Ahmed
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Felismina Rosa P Mendes
- Departamento de Enfermagem, Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Gurch Randhawa
- Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, luton, UK
| | | | - Haruno Suzuki
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hery Prambudi
- An Nasher Institute of Healh Sciences, Cirebon, Cirebon West Java, Indonesia
| | - Ilknur Aydin Avci
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Imam Waluyo
- Padma Kumara Foundation and Consultant International, Collaboration Physiotherapy School YAB, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Irma Nurbaeti
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Jitka Vseteckova
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | | | - Justina Yw Liu
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kari Ingstad
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | | | - Louise Grant
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
| | | | - Mariko Sakka
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Muhammad Arsyad Subu
- University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Universitas Binawan, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nichola Kentzer
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Noura A Almadani
- Community health nursing department, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pablo Tomas-Carus
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Retno Indarwati
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Sonthaya Maneerat
- Prapokklao Nursing College, Faculty of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Chantaburi, Thailand
| | - Wai Tong Chien
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yuko Amamiya
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Healthcare Sciences, Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Noriko Yamamoto-Mitani
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Koziol JA, Schnitzer JE. Worldwide Regional Differences in Obesity, Elderly, and COVID-19 Mortality: Do the Exceptions Prove the Rule? MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2023; 11:4248. [PMID: 37674672 PMCID: PMC10482002 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v11i8.4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Obesity and old age are commonly assumed to be risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. On a worldwide basis, we examine quantitative measures of obesity and elderly in the populations of individual countries and territories, and investigate whether these measures are predictive of COVID-19 mortality in those countries. In particular, we highlight regional differences relative to obesity and elderly metrics, and how these relate to COVID-19 mortality. Methods In this retrospective, population-based study, we obtained data relating to percentages of obese or elderly individuals in 199 countries, as well as COVID-19 mortality rates in these countries. We used negative binomial regression analyses to assess associations between COVID-19 mortality rates and the putative risk factors, in six regions - Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. Results We found significant differences between regions relative to COVID-19 mortality, as well as obesity and elderly population proportions. There were also substantial differences between countries within regions relative to proportions of obesity and elderly individuals, and COVID-19 mortality. Conclusions There are significant differences both between regions and within regions relative to COVID-19 mortality rates, as well as proportions of obese or elderly individuals. A global pronouncement that obesity and elderly constitute definitive risk factors for COVID-19 mortality masks the subtleties engendered by these intra- and inter-regional differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Koziol
- Proteogenomics Research Institute for Systems Medicine La Jolla, California USA
| | - Jan E Schnitzer
- Proteogenomics Research Institute for Systems Medicine La Jolla, California USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Biadgilign S, Hailu A, Gebremichael B, Letebo M, Berhanesilassie E, Shumetie A. The role of universal health coverage and global health security nexus and interplay on SARS-CoV-2 infection and case-fatality rates in Africa : a structural equation modeling approach. Global Health 2023; 19:46. [PMID: 37415196 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-00949-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infections remains a significant health challenge worldwide. There is paucity of evidence on the influence of the universal health coverage (UHC) and global health security (GHS) nexus on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UHC and GHS nexus and interplay on SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and case-fatality rates (CFR) in Africa. METHODS The study employed descriptive methods to analyze the data drawn from multiple sources as well used structural equation modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation to model and assess the relationships between independent and dependent variables by performing path analysis. RESULTS In Africa, 100% and 18% of the effects of GHS on SARS-CoV-2 infection and RT-PCR CFR, respectively were direct. Increased SARS-CoV-2 CFR was associated with median age of the national population (β = -0.1244, [95% CI: -0.24, -0.01], P = 0.031 ); COVID-19 infection rate (β = -0.370, [95% CI: -0.66, -0.08], P = 0.012 ); and prevalence of obesity among adults aged 18 + years (β = 0.128, [95% CI: 0.06,0.20], P = 0.0001) were statistically significant. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were strongly linked to median age of the national population (β = 0.118, [95% CI: 0.02,0.22 ], P = 0.024); population density per square kilometer, (β = -0.003, [95% CI: -0.0058, -0.00059], P = 0.016 ) and UHC for service coverage index (β = 0.089, [95% CI: 0.04,0.14, P = 0.001 ) in which their relationship was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The study shade a light that UHC for service coverage, and median age of the national population, population density have significant effect on COVID-19 infection rate while COVID-19 infection rate, median age of the national population and prevalence of obesity among adults aged 18 + years were associated with COVID-19 case-fatality rate. Both, UHC and GHS do not emerge to protect against COVID-19-related case fatality rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sibhatu Biadgilign
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O.BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Alemayehu Hailu
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care Medicine, Bergen Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, The University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, United States of America
| | | | - Mekitew Letebo
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O.BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Etsub Berhanesilassie
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O.BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gebremichael B, Hailu A, Letebo M, Berhanesilassie E, Shumetie A, Biadgilign S. Impact of good governance, economic growth and universal health coverage on COVID-19 infection and case fatality rates in Africa. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:130. [PMID: 36437476 PMCID: PMC9702649 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00932-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted lives across all countries and communities. It significantly reduced the global economic output and dealt health systems across the world a serious blow. There is growing evidence showing the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has on health systems, which should help to draw lessons for further consolidating and realizing universal health coverage (UHC) in all countries, complemented by more substantial government commitment and good governance, and continued full implementation of crucial policies and plans to avert COVID-19 and similar pandemic threats in the future. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the impact of good governance, economic growth and UHC on the COVID-19 infection rate and case fatality rate (CFR) among African countries. METHODS We employed an analytical ecological study design to assess the association between COVID-19 CFR and infection rate as dependent variables, and governance, economic development and UHC as independent variables. We extracted data from publicly available databases (i.e., Worldometer, Worldwide Governance Indicators, Our World in Data and WHO Global Health Observatory Repository). We employed a multivariable linear regression model to examine the association between the dependent variables and the set of explanatory variables. STATA version 14 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS All 54 African countries were covered by this study. The median observed COVID-19 CFR and infection rate were 1.65% and 233.46%, respectively. Results of multiple regression analysis for predicting COVID-19 infection rate indicated that COVID-19 government response stringency index (β = 0.038; 95% CI 0.001, 0.076; P = 0.046), per capita gross domestic product (GDP) (β = 0.514; 95% CI 0.158, 0.87; P = 0.006) and infectious disease components of UHC (β = 0.025; 95% CI 0.005, 0.045; P = 0.016) were associated with COVID-19 infection rates, while noncommunicable disease components of UHC (β = -0.064; 95% CI -0.114; -0.015; P = 0.012), prevalence of obesity among adults (β = 0.112; 95% CI 0.044; 0.18; P = 0.002) and per capita GDP (β = -0.918; 95% CI -1.583; -0.254; P = 0.008) were associated with COVID-19 CFR. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that good governance practices, favourable economic indicators and UHC have a bearing on COVID-19 infection rate and CFR. Effective health system response through a primary healthcare approach and progressively taking measures to grow their economy and increase funding to the health sector to mitigate the risk of similar future pandemics would require African countries to move towards UHC, improve governance practices and ensure economic growth in order to reduce the impact of pandemics on populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alemayehu Hailu
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Bergen Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, United States of America
| | - Mekitew Letebo
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O. BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Etsub Berhanesilassie
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O. BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Sibhatu Biadgilign
- Independent Public Health Analyst and Research Consultant, P.O. BOX 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stein RM, Katz DL. Interpreting global variations in the toll of COVID-19: The case for context and nuance in hypothesis generation and testing. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1010011. [PMID: 36339130 PMCID: PMC9627160 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Key points As of January 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic was on-going, affecting populations worldwide. The potential risks of the Omicron variant (and future variants) still remain an area of active investigation. Thus, the ultimate human toll of SARS-CoV-2, and, by extension, the variations in that toll among diverse populations, remain unresolved. Nonetheless, an extensive literature on causal factors in the observed patterns of COVID-19 morbidity and cause-specific mortality has emerged-particularly at the aggregate level of analysis. This article explores potential pitfalls in the attribution of COVID outcomes to specific factors in isolation by examining a diverse set of potential factors and their interactions. Methods We sourced published data to establish a global database of COVID-19 outcomes for 68 countries and augmented these with an array of potential explanatory covariates from a diverse set of sources. We sought population-level aggregate factors from both health- and (traditionally) non-health domains, including: (a) Population biomarkers (b) Demographics and infrastructure (c) Socioeconomics (d) Policy responses at the country-level. We analyzed these data using (OLS) regression and more flexible non-parametric methods such as recursive partitioning, that are useful in examining both potential joint factor contributions to variations in pandemic outcomes, and the identification of possible interactions among covariates across these domains. Results Using the national obesity rates of 68 countries as an illustrative predictor covariate of COVID-19 outcomes, we observed marked inconsistencies in apparent outcomes by population. Importantly, we also documented important variations in outcomes, based on interactions of health factors with covariates in other domains that are traditionally not related to biomarkers. Finally, our results suggest that single-factor explanations of population-level COVID-19 outcomes (e.g., obesity vs. cause-specific mortality) appear to be confounded substantially by other factors. Conclusions/implications Our methods and findings suggest that a full understanding of the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, as would be central to preparing for similar future events, requires analysis within and among diverse variable domains, and within and among diverse populations. While this may seem apparent, the bulk of the recent literature on the pandemic has focused on one or a few of these drivers in isolation. Hypothesis generation and testing related to pandemic outcomes will benefit from accommodating the nuance of covariate interactions, in an epidemiologic context. Finally, our results add to the literature on the ecological fallacy: the attempt to infer individual drivers and outcomes from the study of population-level aggregates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger M. Stein
- NYU Center for Data Science and Stern School of Business, New York University, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Roger M. Stein
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Characteristics and mortality of 561,379 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Germany until December 2021 based on real-life data. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11116. [PMID: 35778464 PMCID: PMC9247915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is characterized by poor outcome and a high mortality especially in the older patient cohort. Up to this point there is a lack of data characterising COVID-19 patients in Germany admitted to intensive care (ICU) vs. non-ICU patients. German Reimbursement inpatient data covering the period in Germany from January 1st, 2020 to December 31th, 2021 were analyzed. 561,379 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19. 24.54% (n = 137,750) were admitted to ICU. Overall hospital mortality was 16.69% (n = 93,668) and 33.36% (n = 45,947) in the ICU group. 28.66% (n = 160,881) of all patients suffer from Cardiac arrhythmia and 17.98% (n = 100,926) developed renal failure. Obesity showed an odds-ratio ranging from 0.83 (0.79-0.87) for WHO grade I to 1.13 (1.08-1.19) for grade III. Mortality-rates peaked in April 2020 and January 2021 being 21.23% (n = 4539) and 22.99% (n = 15,724). A third peak was observed November and December 2021 (16.82%, n = 7173 and 16.54%, n = 9416). Hospitalized COVID-19 patient mortality in Germany is lower than previously shown in other studies. 24.54% of all patients had to be treated in the ICU with a mortality rate of 33.36%. Congestive heart failure was associated with a higher risk of death whereas low grade obesity might have a protective effect on patient survival. High admission numbers are accompanied by a higher mortality rate.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wei Y, Dong Z, Fan W, Xu K, Tang S, Wang Y, Wu F. A narrative review on the role of temperature and humidity in COVID-19: Transmission, persistence, and epidemiological evidence. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:73-85. [PMID: 38013745 PMCID: PMC9181277 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Since December 2019, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic. Understanding the role of environmental conditions is important in impeding the spread of COVID-19. Given that airborne spread and contact transmission are considered the main pathways for the spread of COVID-19, this narrative review first summarized the role of temperature and humidity in the airborne trajectory of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Meanwhile, we reviewed the persistence of the virus in aerosols and on inert surfaces and summarized how the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 is affected by temperature and humidity. We also examined the existing epidemiological evidence and addressed the limitations of these epidemiological studies. Although uncertainty remains, more evidence may support the idea that high temperature is slightly and negatively associated with COVID-19 growth, while the conclusion for humidity is still conflicting. Nonetheless, the spread of COVID-19 appears to have been controlled primarily by government interventions rather than environmental factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhong Fan
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kaiqiang Xu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Impact of prior bariatric surgery on risk and severity of COVID-19 infection: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Obes Res Clin Pract 2022; 16:439-446. [PMID: 36471505 PMCID: PMC9574468 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of prior bariatric surgery (BS) with infection rate and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to address this issue. METHODS We searched databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to May, 2022. The primary outcome was risk of mortality, while secondary outcomes included risk of hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury (AKI), and infection rate. RESULTS Eleven studies involving 151,475 patients were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed lower risks of mortality [odd ratio (OR)= 0.42, 95% CI: 0.27-0.65, p < 0.001, I2 = 67%; nine studies; 151,113 patients, certainty of evidence (COE):moderate], hospital admission (OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.36-0.85, p = 0.007, I2 =74.6%; seven studies; 17,810 patients; COE:low), ICU admission (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.37-0.67, p < 0.001, I2 =0%; six studies; 17,496 patients, COE:moderate), mechanical ventilation (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.37-0.72, p < 0.001, I2 =57.1%; seven studies; 137,992 patients, COE:moderate) in patients with prior BS (BS group) than those with obesity without surgical treatment (non-BS group). There was no difference in risk of AKI (OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.41-1.32, p = 0.304, I2 =83.6%; four studies; 129,562 patients, COE: very low) and infection rate (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.89-1.22, p = 0.572, I2 =0%; four studies; 12,633 patients, COE:low) between the two groups. Subgroup analysis from matched cohort studies demonstrated associations of prior BS with lower risks of mortality, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and AKI. CONCLUSION Our results showed a correlation between prior BS and less severe COVID-19, which warrants further investigations to verify.
Collapse
|