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Colloca P, Roccato M, Russo S. Rally 'round the flag effects are not for all: Trajectories of institutional trust among populist and non-populist voters. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2024; 119:102986. [PMID: 38609304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.102986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Using the Consequences of COVID-19 (COCO) dataset (quota sample of the adult Italian population, surveyed seven times by email), we analysed the trend of trust in political (political parties, parliament and local administrations), super partes (president of the Republic, judiciary and police) and international (the European Union and the United Nations) institutions from June 2019 to October 2022. Three latent growth curve models showed that trust in political institutions increased between June 2019 and April 2020 and subsequently decreased below the pre-pandemic level. Trust in super partes institutions decreased slightly between June 2019 and April 2020, decreased from April 2020 to April 2022 and increased in the subsequent months. Trust in international institutions declined between June 2019 and April 2020 and then returned to pre-pandemic levels. Three piecewise decompositions showed different trends in trust for non-populist voters, populist voters and non-voters. Strengths, weaknesses and possible developments of the study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Colloca
- Department of Education Studies "Giovanni Maria Bertin", University of Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Russo
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Italy
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Khalil M, Bonfrate L, Di Ciaula A, Portincasa P. Self-reported symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination. Distinct sex, age, and geographical outcomes in Lebanese and Italian cohorts. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1463-1475. [PMID: 37322183 PMCID: PMC10412474 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Following the COVID-19 discovery in December 2019, different vaccines were authorized in 2021 in Italy and Lebanon, but side effects and the impact of sex and age remained partly explored. We designed a web-based "Google Form" questionnaire to record self-reported systemic and local side effects up to 7 days after 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine in two distinct Italian and Lebanese cohorts. Twenty-one questions in Italian and Arabic languages explored the prevalence and severity of 13 symptoms. Results were compared with respect to living country, timing, sex, and age classes. A total of 1,975 Italian subjects (age 42.9 ± SD16.8 years; 64.5% females) and 822 Lebanese subjects (age 32.5 ± SD15.9 years; 48.8% females) joined the study. The most common symptoms in both groups were injection site pain, weakness, and headache after the 1st and 2nd doses. The rate of post-vaccinal symptoms and the severity score were significantly higher in females than in males and progressively decreased with increasing age following both doses. We find that among two populations from the Mediterranean basin, the anti-COVID-19 vaccine generates mild age and sex-dependent adverse effects, with ethnic differences and prevalent symptoms rate and severity in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" & Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro", Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" & Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro", Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" & Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro", Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" & Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro", Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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3
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Buscemi S, Davoli C, Trecarichi EM, Morrone HL, Tassone B, Buscemi C, Randazzo C, Barile AM, Colombrita P, Soresi M, Giannitrapani L, Cascio A, Scichilone N, Cottone C, Sbraccia P, Guglielmi V, Leonetti F, Malavazos AE, Basilico S, Carruba M, Santini F, Antonelli A, Viola N, Romano M, Cesana BM, Torti C. The three facets of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic during the first two waves in the northern, central, and southern Italy. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:520-525. [PMID: 36801631 PMCID: PMC9902343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a scarcity of information in literature regarding the clinical differences and comorbidities of patients affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which could clarify the different prevalence of the outcomes (composite and only death) between several Italian regions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the heterogeneity of clinical features of patients with COVID-19 upon hospital admission and disease outcomes in the northern, central, and southern Italian regions. METHODS An observational cohort multicenter retrospective study including 1210 patients who were admitted for COVID-19 in Infectious diseases, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Units in Italian cities stratified between north (263 patients); center (320 patients); and south (627 patients), during the first and second pandemic waves of SARS-CoV-2 (from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021). The data, obtained from clinical charts and collected in a single database, comprehended demographic characteristics, comorbidities, hospital and home pharmacological therapies, oxygen therapy, laboratory values, discharge, death and Intensive care Unit (ICU) transfer. Death or ICU transfer were defined as composite outcomes. RESULTS Male patients were more frequent in the northern Italian region than in the central and southern regions. Diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, chronic pulmonary and chronic kidney diseases were the comorbidities more frequent in the southern region; cancer, heart failure, stroke and atrial fibrillation were more frequent in the central region. The prevalence of the composite outcome was recorded more frequently in the southern region. Multivariable analysis showed a direct association between the combined event and age, ischemic cardiac disease, and chronic kidney disease, in addition to the geographical area. CONCLUSIONS Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed in patients with COVID-19 characteristics at admission and outcomes from northern to southern Italy. The higher frequency of ICU transfer and death in the southern region may depend on the wider hospital admission of frail patients for the availability of more beds since the burden of COVID-19 on the healthcare system was less intense in southern region. In any case, predictive analysis of clinical outcomes should consider that the geographical differences that may reflect clinical differences in patient characteristics, are also related to access to health-care facilities and care modalities. Overall, the present results caution against generalizability of prognostic scores in COVID-19 patients derived from hospital cohorts in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Buscemi
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Davoli
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University - "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University - "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Helen Linda Morrone
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University - "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bruno Tassone
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University - "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carola Buscemi
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristiana Randazzo
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Barile
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Piero Colombrita
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- COVID Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- COVID Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine, and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro ", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Scichilone
- COVID Pneumology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Childhood, Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carlo Cottone
- COVID Internal Medicine Unit, Petralia Sottana Hospital, ASP 6, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Sbraccia
- Department of Systems Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit-Obesity Center, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Tor Vergata Polyclinic, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Guglielmi
- Department of Systems Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit-Obesity Center, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Tor Vergata Polyclinic, Rome, Italy
| | - Frida Leonetti
- Diabetes Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Alexis Elias Malavazos
- Endocrinology, Clinical Nutrition and Cardiovascular Prevention Service Unit, IRCCS Polyclinic San Donato, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedicine, Surgery and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Basilico
- Endocrinology, Clinical Nutrition and Cardiovascular Prevention Service Unit, IRCCS Polyclinic San Donato, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedicine, Surgery and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Carruba
- Center for Studies and Research on Obesity, Department of Biomedical Technologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Santini
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Viola
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Mario Cesana
- Medical Statistics Unit, Biometrics and Bioinformatics "Giulio A. Maccacaro", Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University - "Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
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Massone M, Barbera P, Bardi N, Sessarego M, Papalia R, Carbone F, Liberale L, Arboscello E, Montecucco F. Managing a SARS-CoV-2-free Hospital Unit of Internal Medicine to avoid in-hospital clusters. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13734. [PMID: 34957548 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Massone
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Barbera
- Emergency Department, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicholas Bardi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marta Sessarego
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Papalia
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Carbone
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy.,First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Liberale
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy.,First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Arboscello
- Emergency Department, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Montecucco
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa, Italy-IRCCS Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy.,First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Tortola D, Magnani E, Giorgini E, Zani MC, Pazzaglini C, Sambo P, Montaguti L. Managing Complexity: The Experience of an Italian Internal Medicine Unit During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic, Looking to the Future. SN COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL MEDICINE 2022; 4:233. [PMID: 36320815 PMCID: PMC9610320 DOI: 10.1007/s42399-022-01320-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic put the Italian health system into a test. In the period between September 2020 and June 2021, a weekly average of 114 SARS-CoV-2 infections were recorded in Forlì-Cesena province (north of Italy), with a maximum of 330 cases per week in March 2021; in the same months, the Internal Medicine Unit of Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital managed 954 COVID-19 patients. To allow the management of these patients, the ward was divided into areas at different intensity of care, with a maximum of 39-47 beds and 19-24 in ordinary and sub-intensive area, respectively. Patients had an average age of 66 years, and 62% of the total was female; prevalent comorbidities were arterial hypertension (53%), smoking habit (28.7%), obesity (27.9%), uncomplicated (10%), and complicated diabetes (9%). On the total, 339 patients were hospitalized in sub-intensive area, subjected to non-invasive ventilatory support. Hospitalization lasted about 7 days in the ordinary ward and 13 days in the sub-intensive area. One hundred six patients died. In the considered period, the mean percentage of deaths compared to hospitalizations in Italy was equal to 22.21%; in our experience, the overall mortality rate was 11%. Our organizational model, which included different intensity areas in the same ward and various specialist skills, as the ability to manage non-invasive ventilation and bedside ultrasound, allowed flexible management of the "complex" COVID patient. Even the mortality rate may be the result of this model. These features mark what modern Internal Medicine should be like.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Tortola
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Elena Magnani
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Enrico Giorgini
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Zani
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Pazzaglini
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Paola Sambo
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Luca Montaguti
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cesena M. Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Della Romagna: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
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Gambazza S, Bargeri S, Campanini I, Meroni R, Turolla A, Castellini G, Gianola S. Prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 across Italian regions: a secondary analysis from a national survey on physiotherapists. Arch Physiother 2021; 11:30. [PMID: 34915932 PMCID: PMC8677342 DOI: 10.1186/s40945-021-00125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out in China in December 2019 and now is a pandemic all around the world. In Italy, Northern regions were hit the hardest during the first wave. We aim to explore the prevalence and the exposure characteristics of physiotherapists (PTs) working in different Italian regions during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods Between April and May 2020 a structured anonymous online survey was distributed to all PTs registered in the National Professional Registry to collect prevalence data of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (i.e., nasopharyngeal swab and/or serological test). A bottom-up agglomerative nesting hierarchical clustering method was applied to identify groups of regions based on response rate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore personal and work-related factors associated with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Results A total of 15,566 PTs completed the survey (response rate 43.3%). The majority of respondents (57.7%) were from Northern regions. Considering all respondents, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Northern and Central Italy, was higher compared to those in Southern Italy (6.9% vs. 1.8%, P < 0.001); focusing the analysis on respondents who underwent nasopharyngeal swab and/or serological test led to similar findings (14.1% vs. 6.4%, P < 0.001). Working in Northern and Central regions was associated with a higher risk of confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to Southern regions (OR 3.4, 95%CI 2.6 to 4.3). PTs working in Northern and Central regions were more likely to be reallocated to a different unit and changing job tasks, compared to their colleagues working in the Southern regions (10.5% vs 3.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Work-related risk factors were differently distributed between Italian regions at the time of first pandemic wave, and PTs working in the Northern and Central regions were more at risk of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, especially when working in hospitals. Preventive and organizational measures should be applied to harmonize physiotherapy services in the national context. Registration https://osf.io/x7cha Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40945-021-00125-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Gambazza
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Direzione delle Professioni Sanitarie, Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bargeri
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Campanini
- LAM-Motion Analysis Laboratory, San Sebastiano Hospital, Correggio, Neuromotor and Rehabilitation Department, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberto Meroni
- Department of Physiotherapy, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Andrea Turolla
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technologies, Venice, Italy
| | - Greta Castellini
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Gianola
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Milan, Italy.
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Di Ciaula A, Krawczyk M, Filipiak KJ, Geier A, Bonfrate L, Portincasa P. Noncommunicable diseases, climate change and iniquities: What COVID-19 has taught us about syndemic. Eur J Clin Invest 2021; 51:e13682. [PMID: 34551123 PMCID: PMC8646618 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is generating clinical challenges, lifestyle changes, economic consequences. The pandemic imposes to familiarize with concepts as prevention, vulnerability and resilience. METHODS We analysed and reviewed the most relevant papers in the MEDLINE database on syndemic, noncommunicable diseases, pandemic, climate changes, pollution, resilience, vulnerability, health costs, COVID-19. RESULTS We discuss that comprehensive strategies must face multifactorial consequences since the pandemic becomes syndemic due to interactions with noncommunicable diseases, climate changes and iniquities. The lockdown experience, on the other hand, demonstrates that it is rapidly possible to reverse epidemiologic trends and to reduce pollution. The worst outcome is evident in eight highly industrialized nations, where 12% of the world population experienced about one-third of all COVID-19-deaths worldwide. Thus, a great economic power has not been fully protective, and a change of policy is obviously needed to avoid irreversible consequences. CONCLUSIONS We are accumulating unhealthy populations living in unhealthy environments and generating unhealthy offspring. The winning policy should tackle structural inequities through a syndemic approach, to protect vulnerable populations from present and future harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyClinica Medica ‘A. Murri’University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’ Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine IISaarland University Medical CenterSaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
- Laboratory of Metabolic Liver DiseasesDepartment of General, Transplant and Liver SurgeryCentre for Preclinical ResearchMedical University of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | | | - Andreas Geier
- Division of HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIUniversity Hospital WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyClinica Medica ‘A. Murri’University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’ Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyClinica Medica ‘A. Murri’University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’ Medical SchoolBariItaly
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8
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Savarese M, Castellini G, Leone S, Previtali E, Armuzzi A, Graffigna G. Psychological reaction to Covid-19 of Italian patients with IBD. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:115. [PMID: 34362456 PMCID: PMC8343359 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on disease management and psychological status. This study explored psychological reactions to the Covid-19 emergency and IBD disease management in a sample of Italian patients. Methods An online questionnaire was designed to assess general concerns, psychological reaction, disease management, socio-demographics, and clinical information with validated scales and ad hoc items. A non-probabilistic purposive sample was selected, comprised patients with IBD who belonged to the Italian Association for patients with IBD (AMICI Onlus) completed the questionnaire in April 2020. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, student’s T-test for independent groups, and one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Results One thousand fourteen eligible questionnaires were analyzed. Italian patients with IBD appeared to be very worried about the Covid-19 emergency (60.7%) and concerned about the risks of infection (59%). Half of the sample reported medium to high-perceived stress, and 74% had low-medium coping self-efficacy levels. One third was in a state of psychological arousal. Twenty-nine percent of patients had canceled hospital appointments for fear of contracting the virus. The majority of responders believed that belonging to the Italian Association for Patients with IBD - AMICI Onlus - is useful. Conclusions The results revealed that this sample of Italian patients with IBD lived with medium level of stress and with inadequate coping self-efficacy regarding disease management. Accordingly, Covid-19 may affect self-management behaviors. Therefore, national and regional associations for patients with IBD, should largely support these patients in this emergency. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-021-00622-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarosaria Savarese
- EngageMinds HUB - Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Milano, 24, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - Greta Castellini
- EngageMinds HUB - Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Milano, 24, 26100, Cremona, Italy.
| | | | | | - Alessandro Armuzzi
- Associazione AMICI Onlus, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Guendalina Graffigna
- EngageMinds HUB - Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Milano, 24, 26100, Cremona, Italy
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9
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Shanmugam H, Di Ciaula A, Di Palo DM, Molina‐Molina E, Garruti G, Faienza MF, vanErpecum K, Portincasa P. Multiplying effects of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic risk and fatty liver. Eur J Clin Invest 2021; 51:e13597. [PMID: 34032283 PMCID: PMC8209861 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social containment measures imposed in Europe during the lockdown to face COVID-19 pandemic can generate long-term potential threats for metabolic health. METHODS A cohort of 494 non-COVID-19 subjects living in 21 EU countries were interviewed by an anonymous questionnaire exploring anthropometric and lifestyle changes during 1-month lockdown. A subgroup of 41 overweight/obese Italian subjects with previously diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) joined the study following a 12-month follow-up period promoting weight loss by healthy lifestyle. RESULTS During the lockdown, body weight increased in 55% of subjects (average 2.4 ± 0.9 kg). Weight change increased with age, but not baseline body mass index. Subjects living in Italy had greater weight gain than those living in other European Countries. Weight gain during the lockdown was highest in subjects reporting no physical activity, and low adherence to Mediterranean diet. In the NAFLD group, weight gain occurred in 70% of cases. Subjects reporting weight loss during lockdown had decreased fatty liver score at 3 months before the lockdown, as compared with 1 year before. CONCLUSIONS Strict measures of social containment-even short-term-pave the way to the increased risk of metabolic abnormalities in the medium-long term. In this context, adherence to Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity play a protective role both in terms of weight gain and fatty liver development/progression, with implication for primary and secondary prevention. When adopting measures imposing social containment, intensive educational campaigns must increase public awareness about beneficial effects of healthy lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshitha Shanmugam
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Domenica Maria Di Palo
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Emilio Molina‐Molina
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Gabriella Garruti
- Section of EndocrinologyDepartment of Emergency and Organ TransplantationsUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Paediatric SectionDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Karel vanErpecum
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Medical CenterUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
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Montecucco F, Nathoe H. How to manage the abundant COVID-19 submissions to a peer-reviewed Scientific Journal. Eur J Clin Invest 2021; 51:e13569. [PMID: 33825197 PMCID: PMC8250307 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Montecucco
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa - Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy.,First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hendrik Nathoe
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Stella A, Lamkanfi M, Portincasa P. Familial Mediterranean Fever and COVID-19: Friends or Foes? Front Immunol 2020; 11:574593. [PMID: 33072117 PMCID: PMC7530822 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.574593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and COVID-19 show a remarkable overlap of clinical symptoms and similar laboratory findings. Both are characterized by fever, abdominal/chest pain, elevation of C-reactive protein, and leukocytosis. In addition, colchicine and IL-1 inhibitors treatments that are effective in controlling inflammation in FMF patients have recently been proposed for off-label use in COVID-19 patients. Thus, FMF may resemble a milder recapitulation of the cytokine storm that is a hallmark of COVID-19 patients progressing to severe disease. We analyzed the sequence of the MEFV-encoded Pyrin protein - whose mutations cause FMF- in mammals, bats and pangolin. Intriguingly, although Pyrin is extremely conserved in species that are considered either a reservoir or intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2, some of the most common FMF-causing variants in humans are present as wildtype residues in these species. We propose that in humans, Pyrin may have evolved to fight highly pathogenic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Stella
- Department of Human Oncology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohamed Lamkanfi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Division of Internal Medicine, Clinica Medica "A Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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