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Sun Z, Pan L, Tian A, Chen P. Critically-ill COVID-19 susceptibility gene CCR3 shows natural selection in sub-Saharan Africans. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 121:105594. [PMID: 38636619 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105594] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of COVID-19 critical illness varies across ethnicities, with recent studies suggesting that genetic factors may contribute to this variation. The aim of this study was to investigate natural selection signals of genes associated with critically-ill COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africans. Severe COVID-19 SNPs were obtained from the HGI website. Selection signals were assessed in 661 sub-Sahara Africans from 1000 Genomes Project using integrated haplotype score (iHS), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH), and fixation index (Fst). Allele frequency trajectory analysis of ancient DNA samples were used to validate the existing of selection in sub-Sahara Africans. We also used Mendelian randomization to decipher the correlation between natural selection and critically-ill COVID-19. We identified that CCR3 exhibited significant natural selection signals in sub-Sahara Africans. Within the CCR3 gene, rs17217831-A showed both high iHS (Standardized iHS = 2) and high XP-EHH (Standardized XP-EHH = 2.5) in sub-Sahara Africans. Allele frequency trajectory of CCR3 rs17217831-A revealed natural selection occurring in the recent 1,500 years. Natural selection resulted in increased CCR3 expression in sub-Sahara Africans. Mendelian Randomization provided evidence that increased blood CCR3 expression and eosinophil counts lowered the risk of critically ill COVID-19. Our findings suggest that sub-Saharan Africans are resistant to critically ill COVID-19 due to natural selection and identify CCR3 as a potential novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Sun
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Pan
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Aowen Tian
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Prediger L, Jälkö J, Honkela A, Kaski S. Collaborative learning from distributed data with differentially private synthetic data. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:167. [PMID: 38877563 PMCID: PMC11179391 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02563-7] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consider a setting where multiple parties holding sensitive data aim to collaboratively learn population level statistics, but pooling the sensitive data sets is not possible due to privacy concerns and parties are unable to engage in centrally coordinated joint computation. We study the feasibility of combining privacy preserving synthetic data sets in place of the original data for collaborative learning on real-world health data from the UK Biobank. METHODS We perform an empirical evaluation based on an existing prospective cohort study from the literature. Multiple parties were simulated by splitting the UK Biobank cohort along assessment centers, for which we generate synthetic data using differentially private generative modelling techniques. We then apply the original study's Poisson regression analysis on the combined synthetic data sets and evaluate the effects of 1) the size of local data set, 2) the number of participating parties, and 3) local shifts in distributions, on the obtained likelihood scores. RESULTS We discover that parties engaging in the collaborative learning via shared synthetic data obtain more accurate estimates of the regression parameters compared to using only their local data. This finding extends to the difficult case of small heterogeneous data sets. Furthermore, the more parties participate, the larger and more consistent the improvements become up to a certain limit. Finally, we find that data sharing can especially help parties whose data contain underrepresented groups to perform better-adjusted analysis for said groups. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results we conclude that sharing of synthetic data is a viable method for enabling learning from sensitive data without violating privacy constraints even if individual data sets are small or do not represent the overall population well. Lack of access to distributed sensitive data is often a bottleneck in biomedical research, which our study shows can be alleviated with privacy-preserving collaborative learning methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joonas Jälkö
- Aalto University, Espoo, 00076, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | | | - Samuel Kaski
- Aalto University, Espoo, 00076, Finland
- University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9Pl, UK
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3
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Amboise Y, Yaya I, Yombo-Kokule L, Roucoux G, Ossima AN, Preau M, Griffith JW, Marcellin F, Chassany O, Cheret A, Duracinsky M. Perceived health-related quality of life in people living with HIV co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 in France. Qual Life Res 2024:10.1007/s11136-024-03701-4. [PMID: 38865069 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03701-4] [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] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) and its correlates among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 in France. METHODS This cross-sectional was study conducted among PLWHA co-infected with SARS-CoV-2. HRQL was measured using the four dimensions of the PROQOL-HIV scale. Factors associated with each dimension were identified using linear regression. RESULTS mean (SD) scores for HRQL dimensions: 76.7 (± 21.1) for Physical Health and Symptoms (PHS), 79.2 (± 23.6) for Social Relationships (SR), 67.3 (± 27.4) for Mental and Cognitive (MC), and 83.9 (± 16.5) for Treatment Impact (TI). Employment status and COVID-19 knowledge were associated with higher PHS score, while blood transfusion-acquired HIV, CDC HIV, hospital discharge instructions, and self-reported symptoms were associated with lower PHS score. Couple status was associated with higher SR score, whereas, hospital discharge instructions, CDC HIV stage C, drug injection-acquired HIV, self-reported symptoms, and COVID-19 vulnerability perception were associated with lower SR score. Employment status and French birth were associated with higher MC score, while female sex, detectable HIV viral load, hospital discharge instructions, COVID-19 vulnerability perception, smoking, and self-reported symptoms were associated with lower MC score. French birth and homosexual/bisexual relationships-acquired HIV were associated with higher TI score, while detectable HIV viral load, psychiatric disorders, and self-reported symptoms were associated with lower TI score CONCLUSION: Among PLWHA co-infected with SARS-CoV-2, the scores of HRQL were impaired, particularly in the MC dimension. Findings underscore the multidimensional nature of HRQL, with notable variations across different dimensions. Understanding these correlates is crucial for tailored interventions aimed at improving the well-being of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvenie Amboise
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Issifou Yaya
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France.
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France.
| | - Lisa Yombo-Kokule
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Roucoux
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Nze Ossima
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marie Preau
- Lyon 2 Lumière University, Inserm Unit 1296 Radiations : Defense, Health, Environment, Lyon, France
| | - James W Griffith
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago Illinois, USA
| | - Fabienne Marcellin
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Chassany
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Cheret
- Plateforme de Diagnostic et de Thérapeutique Pluridisciplinaire, CHU Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, France
- INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Martin Duracinsky
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Research (PROQOL), Health Economics Clinical Trial Unit (URC- ECO), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- ECEVE, UMR-S 1123, Paris Cité University, Inserm, Paris, France
- Département de Médecine Interne et d'Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Bicêtre, AP-HP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Porter AK, Kleinschmidt SE, Andres KL, Reusch CN, Krisko RM, Taiwo OA, Olsen GW, Longnecker MP. Occurrence of COVID-19 and serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A case-control study among workers with a wide range of exposures. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 7:100137. [PMID: 38293561 PMCID: PMC10826147 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2024.100137] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic chemicals; some are present in most humans in developed countries. Some studies suggest that certain PFAS may have immunotoxic effects in humans, which could put individuals with high levels of exposure at increased risk for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We conducted a case-control study to examine the association between COVID-19 diagnosis and PFAS serum concentrations among employees and retirees from two 3 M facilities, one of which historically generated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Participants completed enrollment and follow-up study visits in the Spring of 2021. Participants were categorized as cases if they reported a COVID-19 diagnosis or became sick with at least one symptom of COVID-19 when someone else in their household was diagnosed, otherwise they were categorized as a control. COVID-19 diagnosis was modeled in relation to concentration of serum PFAS measured at enrollment after adjusting for covariates. The analytic sample comprised 573 individuals, 111 cases (19.4%) and 462 controls (80.6%). In adjusted models, the odds ratio of COVID-19 was 0.94 per interquartile range (14.3 ng/mL) increase in PFOS (95% confidence interval 0.85, 1.04). Results for PFOA, PFHxS, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were similar. Other PFAS present at lower concentrations were examined as categorical variables (above the limit of quantification [LOQ], yes vs. no [referent category]), and also showed no positive associations. In our study, which used individual-level data and included people with high occupational exposure, the serum concentrations of all PFAS examined were not associated with an increased odds ratio for COVID-19. At this point, the epidemiologic data supporting no association of COVID-19 occurrence with PFAS exposure are stronger than those suggesting a positive association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Porter
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, 3214 Charles B. Root Wynd, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States of America
| | - Sarah E. Kleinschmidt
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Kara L. Andres
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Courtney N. Reusch
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Ryan M. Krisko
- 3M Company, Environment, Health, Safety and Product Stewardship, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Oyebode A. Taiwo
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Geary W. Olsen
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Longnecker
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, 3214 Charles B. Root Wynd, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States of America
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Güler A, Bush HM, Schill K, Kussainov N, Coker AL. Association Between Lifetime Interpersonal Violence and Post-COVID-19 Condition Among Women in Kentucky, 2020-2022. Public Health Rep 2024:333549241236638. [PMID: 38785343 DOI: 10.1177/00333549241236638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of interpersonal violence. We investigated the association between lifetime interpersonal violence experience and risk of post-COVID-19 condition (the persistence of symptoms of COVID-19 and severity of health problems associated with COVID-19 that last a few weeks, months, or years) among women with lifetime interpersonal violence experience. METHODS Women participants aged ≥18 years in Kentucky's Wellness, Health & You-COVID-19 study completed online quantitative surveys about the impacts of the pandemic, developing COVID-19, and symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition. We conducted cross-sectional analyses estimating rate ratios of developing COVID-19 and symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition during the pandemic (October 13, 2020-February 28, 2022). RESULTS Of the analytic sample (N = 938), 342 (36.5%) disclosed a history of lifetime interpersonal violence. Compared with women with no lifetime interpersonal violence experience, women with lifetime interpersonal violence experience had significantly more distress because of the pandemic, defined as family financial challenges (P = .001), symptoms of mental health challenges (P < .001), and negative coping behaviors (P < .001). While experiencing lifetime interpersonal violence was not significantly associated with either receiving COVID-19 vaccinations (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.75-1.61) or developing COVID-19 (aRR = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.92-1.44), experiencing lifetime interpersonal violence was associated with an increased rate of developing symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition (aRR = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.19-3.65). CONCLUSION Symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition may be linked to lifetime interpersonal violence experience, possibly through stress or violence-associated trauma. Future research is needed to assess the negative effects of the pandemic, prioritizing people with lifetime interpersonal violence experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Güler
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Center for Research on Violence Against Women, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Heather M Bush
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Center for Research on Violence Against Women, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Katie Schill
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Nurlan Kussainov
- The Southeast Center for Agricultural Health & Injury Prevention, College of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ann L Coker
- Center for Research on Violence Against Women, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Hunter PR, Brainard J. Changing risk factors for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection from Delta to Omicron. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299714. [PMID: 38748651 PMCID: PMC11095668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the few studies to estimate infection risk with SARS-CoV-2 in the general population was the UK Office of National Statistics Infection Survey. This survey provided data that allowed us to describe and interpret apparent risk factors for testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a period when variants and COVID-19 controls experienced large changes. METHOD The ONS published estimates of likelihood of individuals testing positive in two week monitoring periods between 21st November 2021 and 7th May 2022, relating this positivity to social and behavioural factors. We applied meta-regression to these estimates of likelihood of testing positive to determine whether the monitored potential risk factors remained constant during the pandemic. RESULTS Some risk factors had consistent relationship with risk of infection (always protective or always linked to higher risk, throughout monitoring period). Other risk factors had variable relationship with risk of infection, with changes seeming to especially correlate with the emergence of Omicron BA.2 dominance. These variable factors were mask-wearing habits, history of foreign travel, household size, working status (retired or not) and contact with children or persons age over 70. CONCLUSION Relevance of some risk factors to likelihood of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 may relate to reinfection risk, variant infectiousness and status of social distancing regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R. Hunter
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Julii Brainard
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Chávez-Vélez E, Álvarez-Nava F, Torres-Vinueza A, Balarezo-Díaz T, Pilataxi K, Acosta-López C, Peña IZ, Narváez K. Single nucleotide variants in the CCL2, OAS1 and DPP9 genes and their association with the severity of COVID-19 in an Ecuadorian population. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1322882. [PMID: 38694517 PMCID: PMC11061356 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1322882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic-mild form to severe phenotype. The severity of COVID-19 is a complex trait influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Ethnic differences have been observed in relation to COVID-19 severity during the pandemic. It is currently unknown whether genetic variations may contribute to the increased risk of severity observed in Latin-American individuals The aim of this study is to investigate the potential correlation between gene variants at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes and the severity of COVID-19 in a population from Quito, Ecuador. This observational case-control study was conducted at the Carrera de Biologia from the Universidad Central del Ecuador and the Hospital Quito Sur of the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (Quito-SUR-IESS), Quito, Ecuador. Genotyping for gene variants at rs1024611 (A>G), rs10774671 (A>G), and rs10406145 (G>C) of CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes was performed on 100 COVID-19 patients (43 with severe form and 57 asymptomatic-mild) using RFLP-PCR. The genotype distribution of all SNVs throughout the entire sample of 100 individuals showed Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (P=0.53, 0.35, and 0.4 for CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9, respectively). The HWE test did not find any statistically significant difference in genotype distribution between the study and control groups for any of the three SNVs. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with the GG of the CCL2 rs1024611 gene variant had an increased association with the severe COVID-19 phenotype in a recessive model (P = 0.0003, OR = 6.43, 95% CI 2.19-18.89) and for the OAS1 rs10774671 gene variant, the log-additive model showed a significant association with the severe phenotype of COVID-19 (P=0.0084, OR=3.85, 95% CI 1.33-11.12). Analysis of haplotype frequencies revealed that the coexistence of GAG at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 variants, respectively, in the same individual increased the presence of the severe COVID-19 phenotype (OR=2.273, 95% CI: 1.271-4.068, P=0.005305). The findings of the current study suggests that the ethnic background affects the allele and genotype frequencies of genes associated with the severity of COVID-19. The experience with COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to identify an ethnicity-based approach to recognize genetically high-risk individuals in different populations for emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Chávez-Vélez
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Francisco Álvarez-Nava
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Alisson Torres-Vinueza
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Thalía Balarezo-Díaz
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Kathya Pilataxi
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Camila Acosta-López
- Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ivonne Z. Peña
- Unidad de Cuidados Críticos de Adultos, Hospital Quito Sur del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Securidad Social, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Katherin Narváez
- Unidad de Cuidados Críticos de Adultos, Hospital Quito Sur del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Securidad Social, Quito, Ecuador
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8
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Morrow AJ, Sykes R, Saleh M, Zahra B, MacIntosh A, Kamdar A, Bagot C, Bayes HK, Blyth KG, Bulluck H, Carrick D, Church C, Corcoran D, Findlay I, Gibson VB, Gillespie L, Grieve D, Barrientos PH, Ho A, Lang NN, Lowe DJ, Lennie V, Macfarlane PW, Mayne KJ, Mark PB, McConnachie A, McGeoch R, Nordin S, Payne A, Rankin AJ, Robertson K, Ryan N, Roditi G, Sattar N, Stobo D, Allwood-Spiers S, Touyz RM, Veldtman G, Weeden S, Weir R, Watkins S, Welsh P, Mangion K, Berry C. Socioeconomic deprivation and illness trajectory in the Scottish population after COVID-19 hospitalization. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:32. [PMID: 38418616 PMCID: PMC10901805 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00455-5] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The associations between deprivation and illness trajectory after hospitalisation for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are uncertain. METHODS A prospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted on post-COVID-19 patients, enrolled either in-hospital or shortly post-discharge. Two evaluations were carried out: an initial assessment and a follow-up at 28-60 days post-discharge. The study encompassed research blood tests, patient-reported outcome measures, and multisystem imaging (including chest computed tomography (CT) with pulmonary and coronary angiography, cardiovascular and renal magnetic resonance imaging). Primary and secondary outcomes were analysed in relation to socioeconomic status, using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The EQ-5D-5L, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) for Anxiety and Depression, and the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) were used to assess health status. RESULTS Of the 252 enrolled patients (mean age 55.0 ± 12.0 years; 40% female; 23% with diabetes), deprivation status was linked with increased BMI and diabetes prevalence. 186 (74%) returned for the follow-up. Within this group, findings indicated associations between deprivation and lung abnormalities (p = 0.0085), coronary artery disease (p = 0.0128), and renal inflammation (p = 0.0421). Furthermore, patients with higher deprivation exhibited worse scores in health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, p = 0.0084), illness perception (BIPQ, p = 0.0004), anxiety and depression levels (PHQ-4, p = 0.0038), and diminished physical activity (DASI, p = 0.002). At the 3-month mark, those with greater deprivation showed a higher frequency of referrals to secondary care due to ongoing COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.0438). However, clinical outcomes were not influenced by deprivation. CONCLUSIONS In a post-hospital COVID-19 population, socioeconomic deprivation was associated with impaired health status and secondary care episodes. Deprivation influences illness trajectory after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Morrow
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Sykes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Merna Saleh
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Baryab Zahra
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Anna Kamdar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Catherine Bagot
- Department of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hannah K Bayes
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kevin G Blyth
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - David Carrick
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, UK
| | - Colin Church
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Regional Heart and Lung Centre, NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, UK
| | - David Corcoran
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Iain Findlay
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - Vivienne B Gibson
- Department of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lynsey Gillespie
- Project Management Unit, Glasgow Clinical Research Facility, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Douglas Grieve
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Antonia Ho
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ninian N Lang
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Vera Lennie
- Department of Cardiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Peter W Macfarlane
- Electrocardiology Core Laboratory, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kaitlin J Mayne
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Patrick B Mark
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alex McConnachie
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ross McGeoch
- Regional Heart and Lung Centre, NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, UK
| | - Sabrina Nordin
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alexander Payne
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, UK
| | - Alastair J Rankin
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Keith Robertson
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - Nicola Ryan
- Department of Cardiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Giles Roditi
- Department of Radiology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Naveed Sattar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David Stobo
- Department of Radiology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Rhian M Touyz
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gruschen Veldtman
- Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service, NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, UK
| | - Sarah Weeden
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robin Weir
- Regional Heart and Lung Centre, NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, UK
| | - Stuart Watkins
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - Paul Welsh
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kenneth Mangion
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin Berry
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
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9
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Elenis E, Kallner HK, Karalexi MA, Hägg D, Linder M, Fall K, Papadopoulos FC, Skalkidou A. Estrogen-modulating treatment among mid-life women and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality: a multiregister nationwide matched cohort study in Sweden. BMC Med 2024; 22:84. [PMID: 38414048 PMCID: PMC10898018 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03297-z] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been repeatedly shown that men infected by SARS-CoV-2 face a twofold higher likelihood of dying, being hospitalized or admitted to the intensive care unit compared to women, despite taking into account relevant confounders. It has been hypothesized that these discrepancies are related to sex steroid hormone differences with estrogens being negatively correlated with disease severity. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity among peri- and postmenopausal women in relation to estrogen-containing menopause hormonal treatments (MHT). METHODS This is a national register-based matched cohort study performed in Sweden between January 1 to December 31, 2020. Study participants comprised women over the age of 53 years residing in Sweden. Exposure was defined as prescriptions of local estrogens, systemic estrogens with and without progestogens, progestogens alone, or tibolone. MHT users were then compared with a matched cohort of non-users. The primary outcome consisted of COVID-19 mortality, whereas the secondary outcomes included inpatient hospitalizations/outpatient visits and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multivariable adjusted Cox regression-derived hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. RESULTS Use of systemic estrogens alone is associated with increased COVID-19 mortality among older women (aHR 4.73, 1.22 to 18.32), but the association is no longer significant when discontinuation of estrogen use is accounted for. An increased risk for COVID-19 infection is further observed for women using combined systemic estrogens and progestogens (aHR 1.06, 1.00 to 1.13) or tibolone (aHR 1.21, 1.01 to 1.45). Use of local estrogens is associated with an increased risk for COVID-19-related death (aHR 2.02,1.45 to 2.81) as well as for all secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Systemic or local use of estrogens does not decrease COVID-19 morbidity and mortality to premenopausal background levels. Excess risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality was noted among older women and those discontinuing systemic estrogens. Higher risk for death was also noted among women using local estrogens, for which non-causal mechanisms such as confounding by comorbidity or frailty seem to be the most plausible underlying explanations. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Elenis
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Reproduction Center, Women's Clinic, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Helena Kopp Kallner
- Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria A Karalexi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Hägg
- Department of Medicine Solna, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Linder
- Department of Medicine Solna, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Fall
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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10
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Su D, Yang H, Chen Z, Kong Y, Na X, Lin Q, Zhao A, Zheng Y, Ma Y, Li X, Li Z. Ethnicity-specific blood pressure thresholds based on cardiovascular and renal complications: a prospective study in the UK Biobank. BMC Med 2024; 22:54. [PMID: 38317131 PMCID: PMC10845677 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03259-5] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The appropriateness of hypertension thresholds for triggering action to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications among non-White populations in the UK is subject to question. Our objective was to establish ethnicity-specific systolic blood pressure (SBP) cutoffs for ethnic minority populations and assess the efficacy of these ethnicity-specific cutoffs in predicting adverse outcomes. METHODS We analyzed data from UK Biobank, which included 444,418 participants from White, South Asian, Black Caribbean, and Black African populations with no history of cardiorenal complications. We fitted Poisson regression models with continuous SBP and ethnic groups, using Whites as the referent category, for the composite outcome of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. We determined ethnicity-specific thresholds equivalent to the risks observed in Whites at SBP levels of 120, 130, and 140 mm Hg. We adjusted models for clinical characteristics, sociodemographic factors, and behavioral factors. The performance of ethnicity-specific thresholds for predicting adverse outcomes and associated population-attributable fraction (PAF) was assessed in ethnic minority groups. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 12.5 years (interquartile range, 11.7-13.2), 32,662 (7.4%) participants had incident composite outcomes. At any given SBP, the predicted incidence rate of the composite outcome was the highest for South Asians, followed by White, Black Caribbean, and Black African. For an equivalent risk of outcomes observed in the White population at an SBP level of 140 mm Hg, the SBP threshold was lower for South Asians (123 mm Hg) and higher for Black Caribbean (156 mm Hg) and Black African (165 mm Hg). Furthermore, hypertension defined by ethnicity-specific thresholds was a stronger predictor and resulted in a larger PAF for composite outcomes in South Asians (21.5% [95% CI, 2.4,36.9] vs. 11.3% [95% CI, 2.6,19.1]) and Black Africans (7.1% [95% CI, 0.2,14.0] vs. 5.7 [95% CI, -16.2,23.5]) compared to hypertension defined by guideline-recommended thresholds. CONCLUSIONS Guideline-recommended blood pressure thresholds may overestimate risks for the Black population and underestimate risks for South Asians. Using ethnicity-specific SBP thresholds may improve risk estimation and optimize hypertension management toward the goal of eliminating ethnic disparities in cardiorenal complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghan Su
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huanhuan Yang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zekun Chen
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhao Kong
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaona Na
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Queran Lin
- Clinical Research Design Division, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai Zhao
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Ma
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Sociology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Wypych-Ślusarska A, Krupa-Kotara K, Oleksiuk K, Głogowska-Ligus J, Słowiński J, Niewiadomska E. Socioeconomic and Health Determinants of the Prevalence of COVID-19 in a Population of Children with Respiratory Diseases and Symptoms. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:88. [PMID: 38255401 PMCID: PMC10814875 DOI: 10.3390/children11010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most epidemiological studies indicate that bronchial asthma is not a risk factor for COVID-19, but previous analyses have not additionally focused on the socioeconomic determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms. AIMS This research aimed to investigate the correlation between the socioeconomic status of families and the prevalence of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms in children, in addition to exploring their association with the prevalence of COVID-19. The study involved a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation conducted in 2022, encompassing 2454 students from elementary schools in Poland. The parents of the students completed a questionnaire modeled after the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators were determined based on parental education, self-reported economic status, and housing conditions. To assess the impact of social factors and health on the occurrence of COVID-19, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. The findings revealed several COVID-19 risk factors, including higher maternal (OR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.3-3.0) and paternal education (OR 1.9; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4), urban residence (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.3-2.1), the presence of mold in residences (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.0-2.3), bronchitis (OR 1.5; 95%CI: 1.2-2.0), and chronic cough (OR 1.8; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4). Further analysis, stratifying children based on their baseline health status (i.e., presence or absence of asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough), indicated that higher parental education increased the risk of COVID-19 solely for children without pre-existing conditions. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be notably associated with mold exposure in children who did not have bronchial asthma. Rigorous multivariate analyses substantiated the collective impact of factors such as residential environment, the existence of mold and moisture, and a history of bronchitis. This study's conclusions highlight a higher frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cases where bronchitis had been diagnosed previously and chronic cough was prevalent. Interestingly, the initially hypothesized higher prevalence of COVID-19 among children with bronchial asthma did not receive confirmation in our findings. This study highlights the importance of urban residence, exposure to mold or dampness, and higher parental education in the incidence of COVID-19. Higher parental education was a significant factor in increasing the risk of COVID-19 among children without bronchitis, chronic cough, and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Wypych-Ślusarska
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland; (A.W.-Ś.); (K.O.); (J.G.-L.); (J.S.)
| | - Karolina Krupa-Kotara
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Oleksiuk
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland; (A.W.-Ś.); (K.O.); (J.G.-L.); (J.S.)
| | - Joanna Głogowska-Ligus
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland; (A.W.-Ś.); (K.O.); (J.G.-L.); (J.S.)
| | - Jerzy Słowiński
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland; (A.W.-Ś.); (K.O.); (J.G.-L.); (J.S.)
| | - Ewa Niewiadomska
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Katowice, Poland;
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12
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Nomah DK, Díaz Y, Bruguera A, Moreno-Fornés S, Aceiton J, Reyes-Urueña J, Llibre JM, Falcó V, Imaz A, Fanjul FJ, Peraire J, Deig E, Domingo P, Inciarte A, Casabona J, Miró JM. Disparities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Clinical Outcomes and Vaccination Coverage Among Migrants With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the PISCIS Cohort: A Population-Based Propensity Score-Matched Analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofad693. [PMID: 38221982 PMCID: PMC10785217 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionately affects migrants and ethnic minorities, including those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Comprehensive studies are needed to understand the impact and risk factors. Methods Using data from the PISCIS cohort of people with HIV (PWH) in Catalonia, Spain, we investigated COVID-19 outcomes and vaccination coverage. Among 10 640 PWH we compared migrants and non-migrants assessing rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing, diagnosis, and associated clinical outcomes through propensity score matching and multivariable Cox regression. Results The cohort (mean age, 43 years; 83.5% male) included 57.4% (3053) Latin American migrants. Migrants with HIV (MWH) had fewer SARS-CoV-2 tests (67.8% vs 72.1%, P < .0001) but similar COVID-19 diagnoses (29.2% vs 29.4%, P = .847) compared to Spanish natives. Migrants had lower complete vaccination (78.9% vs 85.1%, P < .0001) and booster doses (63.0% vs 65.5%, P = .027). COVID-19 hospitalizations (8.1% vs 5.1%, P < .0001) and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (2.9% vs 1.2%, P < .0001) were higher among migrants, with similar hospitalization duration (5.5 vs 4.0 days, P = .098) and mortality (3 [0.2%] vs 6 [0.4%], P = .510). Age ≥40 years, CD4 counts <200 cells/μL, ≥2 comorbidities, and incomplete/nonreception of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine increased the risk of severe COVID-19 among migrants. Conclusions MWH had lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 testing and vaccination coverage, although the rates of COVID-19 diagnosis were similar between migrants and non-migrants. Rates of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and ICU admissions were higher among migrants in comparison with non-migrants, with similar hospitalization duration and mortality. These findings can inform policies to address disparities in future pandemic responses for MWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Nomah
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yesika Díaz
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreu Bruguera
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i de Salut Publica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergio Moreno-Fornés
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Aceiton
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juliana Reyes-Urueña
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
| | - Josep M Llibre
- Fight Against Infections Foundation, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Falcó
- Infectious Disease Division, Hospital Universitari Vall D’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arkaitz Imaz
- HIV and STI Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge–IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Joaquim Peraire
- Hospital Joan XXIII, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabet Deig
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General de Granollers, Granollers, Spain
| | - Pere Domingo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, HIV Infection Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexy Inciarte
- Hospital Clínic-Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Department de Salut, Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i de Salut Publica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - José M Miró
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clínic-Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Wilson J, Demou E, Kromydas T. COVID-19 lockdowns and working women's mental health: Does motherhood and size of workplace matter? A comparative analysis using understanding society. Soc Sci Med 2024; 340:116418. [PMID: 37992613 PMCID: PMC7615337 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116418] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had detrimental and unequal repercussions on mental health. To date there is little evidence exploring how motherhood and workplace size moderates this relationship for working women. This study aimed to estimate changes in working women's mental health at the start of each UK lockdown and estimate the effect of motherhood and workplace size on mental health. We used Understanding Society data from women in paid employment, who participated in at least: one pre-COVID-19 Wave (9 or 10/11) and one COVID-19 lockdown wave (Lockdown 1: April 2020, Lockdown 2: November 2020, Lockdown 3: January 2021). Primary outcome was probable psychological distress (i.e., score≥4 in the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12)). In Model 1, exposure was motherhood (binary), interacting with a variable that split time in the pre-pandemic and lockdown periods. In Model 2, workplace size (Micro:1-24, Medium: 25-199, Large: More than 200 employees) was added as an exposure (3-way interaction) to investigate moderation effects. We fitted mixed-effects logistic regression models, adjusting for age, ethnicity, UK country of residence, cohabitation, educational qualifications, working hours, furlough, subjective financial difficulty and previous health condition. In the adjusted Model 1, pre-pandemic, odds of GHQ-12 caseness were lower for mothers compared to non-mothers (OR:0.89 95%CI:0.77,1.03). However post-pandemic compared to pre-pandemic, odds for mothers were higher than non-mothers, especially during lockdown 3 (Non-mothers: OR:1.93 95%CI:1.69,2.20; Mothers: OR:2.87 95%CI:2.36,3.49). In Model 2, workplace size did not modify the relationship. Pre-pandemic, there was no difference in the odds of GHQ-12 caseness by workplace size; however, the differences observed in Lockdown 3 between non-mothers and mothers, are mainly attributed to differences in medium-sized enterprises (Non-mothers: OR:1.95 95%CI:1.53,2.48; Mothers: OR:3.56 95%CI:2.54,4.99). Future policies should be designed to facilitate the working lives of mothers, but especially for medium-sized enterprises as extreme uncertainty appears to affect these employees more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Wilson
- College of Social Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Theocharis Kromydas
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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14
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Martinez-Beneito MA, Marí-Dell'Olmo M, Sánchez-Valdivia N, Rodríguez-Sanz M, Pérez G, Pasarín MI, Rius C, Artazcoz L, Prieto R, Pérez K, Borrell C. Socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 incidence during the first six waves in Barcelona. Int J Epidemiol 2023; 52:1687-1695. [PMID: 37494962 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad105] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 affected urban areas. In Barcelona, six waves of COVID-19 hit the city between March 2020 and March 2022. Inequalities in the incidence of COVID-19 have been described. However, no studies have examined the daily trends of socioeconomic inequalities and how they changed during the different phases of the pandemic. The aim of this study is to analyse the dynamic socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of COVID-19 during the six waves in Barcelona. METHODS We examined the proportion of daily cases observed in the census tracts in the lower income tercile compared with the proportion of daily cases observed in the sum of the lower and higher income terciles. Daily differences in these proportions were assessed as a function of the epidemic waves, sex, age group, daily incidence and daily change in the incidence. A logistic regression model with an autoregressive term was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A time-dynamic effect was found for socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of COVID-19. In fact, belonging to a lower-income area changed from being a risk factor (Waves 1, 2, 4 and 5) to being a protective factor in the sixth wave of the pandemic. Age also had a significant effect on incidence, which also changed over the different waves of the pandemic. Finally, the lower-income areas showed a comparatively lower incidence during the ascending phase of the epidemic waves. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 changed by wave, age group and wave phase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc Marí-Dell'Olmo
- Unit of Data Management and Analysis, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Maica Rodríguez-Sanz
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Unit of Research, Training and Communication, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Glòria Pérez
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Unit of COVID-19, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Pasarín
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Direction of Health Promotion, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Rius
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Service of Epidemiology, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Artazcoz
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Direction of Health Observatory, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Prieto
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Service of Epidemiology, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katherine Pérez
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Service of Health Information Systems, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Borrell
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB, SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Executive Director, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Omiyale W, Holliday J, Doherty N, Callen H, Wood N, Horn E, Burnett F, Young A, Lewington S, Fry D, Bešević J, Conroy M, Sheard S, Feng Q, Welsh S, Effingham M, Young A, Collins R, Lacey B, Allen N. Social determinants of ethnic disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infection: UK Biobank SARS-CoV-2 Serology Study. J Epidemiol Community Health 2023; 78:3-10. [PMID: 37699665 PMCID: PMC10715462 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-220353] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social determinants of ethnic disparities in risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of the pandemic in the UK remain unclear. METHODS In May 2020, a total of 20 195 adults were recruited from the general population into the UK Biobank SARS-CoV-2 Serology Study. Between mid-May and mid-November 2020, participants provided monthly blood samples. At the end of the study, participants completed a questionnaire on social factors during different periods of the pandemic. Logistic regression yielded ORs for the association between ethnicity and SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies (indicating prior infection) using blood samples collected in July 2020, immediately after the first wave. RESULTS After exclusions, 14 571 participants (mean age 56; 58% women) returned a blood sample in July, of whom 997 (7%) had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seropositivity was strongly related to ethnicity: compared with those of White ethnicity, ORs (adjusted for age and sex) for Black, South Asian, Chinese, Mixed and Other ethnic groups were 2.66 (95% CI 1.94-3.60), 1.66 (1.15-2.34), 0.99 (0.42-1.99), 1.42 (1.03-1.91) and 1.79 (1.27-2.47), respectively. Additional adjustment for social factors reduced the overall likelihood ratio statistics for ethnicity by two-thirds (67%; mostly from occupational factors and UK region of residence); more precise measurement of social factors may have further reduced the association. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies social factors that are likely to account for much of the ethnic disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave in the UK, and highlights the particular relevance of occupation and residential region in the pathway between ethnicity and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wemimo Omiyale
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jo Holliday
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | | | - Howard Callen
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Natasha Wood
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Edward Horn
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Frances Burnett
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Allen Young
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Sarah Lewington
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jelena Bešević
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Megan Conroy
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Qi Feng
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Alan Young
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Rory Collins
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Ben Lacey
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
| | - Naomi Allen
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UK Biobank, Stockport, UK
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16
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Tobin-Salzman SC, Cooper D, McNamara BJ, Athan E, Bennett CM. Demographic Characteristics of Unvaccinated Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Cases in Barwon South West, Victoria, Australia. Pathogens 2023; 12:1420. [PMID: 38133303 PMCID: PMC10746993 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121420] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated 328 SARS-CoV-2 cases in Barwon South West, Victoria, Australia, in the 2020 pre-vaccination period, comparing infections with symptoms to those that remained asymptomatic. De-identified self-reported data on case characteristics and symptom progression from three sequential questionnaires were examined. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model associations between demographic profiles and symptoms. Asymptomatic infections were more than three times as likely to be seen in ethnic minority groups than the Caucasian population after adjusting for gender and age [OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5-6.7, p < 0.01] and were more common among cases of Asian background [OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.4]. Asymptomatic infections were also more common in youth and younger adults, but cases were approximately seven times more likely to be in seniors (≥65 years) compared with those 24 years of age or younger after adjusting for sex and ethnicity [OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.3-35.8]. The overrepresentation of ethnic minority groups among asymptomatic infections is suggestive of genetic haplotype variability by ethnic group, conferring greater cross-protection from other coronaviruses in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Replication of this analysis in the post-vaccination era and reassessment of symptom expression according to ethnicity in a community with established vaccine and infection-induced immunity would determine whether this is a sustained association or one confined to the early stages of a pandemic in an immunologically naive population. These findings may, in part, reflect differences in testing patterns by ethnicity and true differences in disease expression, both of which are important to understand in order to inform transmission prevention strategies and tailored risk messaging according to ethnic background.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darcie Cooper
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (D.C.); (B.J.M.); (E.A.)
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Bridgette J. McNamara
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (D.C.); (B.J.M.); (E.A.)
- Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3008, Australia
| | - Eugene Athan
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (D.C.); (B.J.M.); (E.A.)
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Barwon Health, University of Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Catherine M. Bennett
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia;
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (D.C.); (B.J.M.); (E.A.)
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17
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Ray Chaudhuri K, Podlewska A, Hui Lau Y, Gonde C, McIntosh A, Qamar M, O'Donoghue S, Larcombe K, Adeeko M, Gupta A, Bajwah S, Lafond S, Awogbemila O, van Coller R, Murtagh A, Ocloo J. Addressing the gap for racially diverse research involvement: The King's Model for minority ethnic research participant recruitment. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2023; 6:100426. [PMID: 37744301 PMCID: PMC10511795 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100426] [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] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Ethnic minorities (EM) are still underrepresented in research recruitment. Despite wide literature outlining the barriers, enablers and recommendations for driving inclusion and diversity in research, there is still little evidence for successful diversity in research participation, which has a direct impact on the quality of care provided to ethnically diverse individuals. A new, comprehensive approach to recruitment strategies is therefore necessary. Study design service improvement initiative. Methods In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the key public health need to address the disparity in care provided to non-white populations, we used a novel, comprehensive approach (The King's Model) comprising of local and community actions to promote inclusive research recruitment. We then compared rates of diverse recruitment in studies where the novel approach, was applied to studies which had been closed to recruitment at the time of analysis and where ethnicity data was available. Results Our results demonstrate that following the introduction of the King's Model for diverse recruitment, commercial interventional study diverse recruitment increased from 6.4% to 16.1%, and for non-commercial studies, from 30.2% to 41.0% and 59.2% in the selected studies. Conclusions King's Model is potentially a useful tool in enhancing non-Caucasian recruitment to clinical research. Enriched by additional recommendations based on our experiences during the Covid-19 research recruitment drive, we propose the King's Model is used to support ethnically diverse research recruitment. Further evidence is needed to replicate our findings, although this preliminary evidence provides granular details necessary to address the key unmet need of validating clinical research outcomes in non-white populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Ray Chaudhuri
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - A. Podlewska
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yue Hui Lau
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - C. Gonde
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, NHS Trust Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - A. McIntosh
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - M.A. Qamar
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - S. O'Donoghue
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's Health Partners, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - K. Larcombe
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M. Adeeko
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A. Gupta
- Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - S. Bajwah
- Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S. Lafond
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - O. Awogbemila
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - R. van Coller
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A.M. Murtagh
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - J.E. Ocloo
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London), King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Yuan J, Zhou J, Zhang T, Ju X, Xu D. An online questionnaire survey on the sexual function of Chinese male adults in the COVID-19 pandemic with loosened controls. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102464. [PMID: 37854665 PMCID: PMC10580037 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102464] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have a negative impact on the sexual health of male adults. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among male adults from February 04, 2023 to March 15, 2023 to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of male adults in China. Participants provided about their medical, social, lifestyle, and family situations information through questionnaires including the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI). Sexual function problems were defined based on predetermined cutoff values of the BSFI domain scores. A total of 1,250 male adults were included with median age as 32 years. According to the analysis of statistical results, sexual drive and erections firm enough to have sexual intercourse were reported to be present only a few days or less last month among 14.8 % and 11.1 % of COVID-19 survivors, respectively. Compared with uninfected persons, COVID-19 survivors had significantly lower scores on all BSFI domains and an increased risk of problems with sexual drive and erectile. In multivariate models of COVID-19 survivors, age ≥30 years, rural resident, lower education level, manual worker, lower income, and shorter duration from recovery to survey date were significantly associated with poorer overall sexual function. In this study, COVID-19 survivors was reported to have significantly poorer sexual function than uninfected persons. The COVID-19 may have had a significant impact on the sexual health of Chinese male adults. We need to focus on sexual dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors, and proactively provide effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixiang Yuan
- Urology Centre, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Jielong Zhou
- Urology Centre, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Tongtong Zhang
- Urology Centre, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Xiran Ju
- Urology Centre, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Dongliang Xu
- Urology Centre, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
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19
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Fang W, Cao Y, Chen Y, Zhang H, Ni R, Hu W, Pan G. Associations of family income and healthy lifestyle with all-cause mortality. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04150. [PMID: 37962358 PMCID: PMC10644849 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04150] [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: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a lack of evidence on whether combined lifestyle factors mediate the association between family income and all-cause mortality, as well as the joint relations between family income and lifestyle factors with mortality. Methods Using data on family income and lifestyle factors of participants in the US National Health Interview Survey 2016-2018, we performed multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of all-cause mortality with said data. Results We included 73 729 participants with a mean age of 47.1 years (standard deviation (SD) = 18.0), 51% of whom were women and 65% of whom were non-Hispanic Whites. There were 2284 deaths documented. After multivariable adjustment, middle-income participants had an OR of 0.73 (95% CI = 0.61-0.88) for mortality, while high-income participants had an OR of 0.47 (95% CI = 0.37-0.60) compared with low-income participants. We found that lower all-cause mortality was related to higher lifestyle scores. Adults from high-income families with lifestyle scores of 3 and 4 had an OR for mortality of 0.44 (95% CI = 0.30-0.65) compared to those from low-income families and lifestyle scores of 0 or 1. When comparing those in highest vs lowest income groups in the mediation analysis, 9.8% (95% CI = 7.4-13.0) of the relation for all-cause mortality was mediated by lifestyles. Adults from high-income families with lifestyle scores of 3 or 4 had an OR of 0.23 (95% CI = 0.17-0.33) for mortality compared with those from low-income families and lifestyle scores of 0 or 1. Conclusions A lower risk of all-cause mortality was linked to higher family income and healthier lifestyles. Furthermore, lifestyle factors mediated a small proportion of the association between family income and mortality among US adults. Economic disparity in health may not be eliminated by changing only one's lifestyle. Therefore, besides promoting a healthy lifestyle, we should stress how family income inequality affects health outcomes.
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20
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Thomson WR, Puthucheary ZA, Wan YI. Critical care and pandemic preparedness and response. Br J Anaesth 2023; 131:847-860. [PMID: 37689541 PMCID: PMC10636520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.07.026] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical care was established partially in response to a polio epidemic in the 1950s. In the intervening 70 yr, several epidemics and pandemics have placed critical care and allied services under extreme pressure. Pandemics cause wholesale changes to accepted standards of practice, require reallocation and retargeting of resources and goals of care. In addition to clinical acumen, mounting an effective critical care response to a pandemic requires local, national, and international coordination in a diverse array of fields from research collaboration and governance to organisation of critical care networks and applied biomedical ethics in the eventuality of triage situations. This review provides an introduction to an array of topics that pertain to different states of pandemic acuity: interpandemic preparedness, alert, surge activity, recovery and relapse through the literature and experience of recent pandemics including COVID-19, H1N1, Ebola, and SARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Thomson
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK; William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Zudin A Puthucheary
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK; William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Yize I Wan
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK; William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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21
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Soulsby CR, Hutchison C, Gardner J, Hart R, Sim MAB, Millar JE. Socio-economic deprivation and the risk of death after ICU admission with COVID-19: The poor relation. J Intensive Care Soc 2023; 24:44-45. [PMID: 37928090 PMCID: PMC10621522 DOI: 10.1177/1751143720978855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Gardner
- Queen Elizabeth II University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Hart
- Queen Elizabeth II University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Malcolm AB Sim
- Queen Elizabeth II University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Academic Unit of Anaesthesia, Pain and Critical Care, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jonathan E Millar
- Queen Elizabeth II University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Ji J, Viloria Winnett A, Shelby N, Reyes JA, Schlenker NW, Davich H, Caldera S, Tognazzini C, Goh YY, Feaster M, Ismagilov RF. Index cases first identified by nasal-swab rapid COVID-19 tests had more transmission to household contacts than cases identified by other test types. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292389. [PMID: 37796850 PMCID: PMC10553276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
At-home rapid COVID-19 tests in the U.S. utilize nasal-swab specimens and require high viral loads to reliably give positive results. Longitudinal studies from the onset of infection have found infectious virus can present in oral specimens days before nasal. Detection and initiation of infection-control practices may therefore be delayed when nasal-swab rapid tests are used, resulting in greater transmission to contacts. We assessed whether index cases first identified by rapid nasal-swab COVID-19 tests had more transmission to household contacts than index cases who used other test types (tests with higher analytical sensitivity and/or non-nasal specimen types). In this observational cohort study, 370 individuals from 85 households with a recent COVID-19 case were screened at least daily by RT-qPCR on one or more self-collected upper-respiratory specimen types. A two-level random intercept model was used to assess the association between the infection outcome of household contacts and each covariable (household size, race/ethnicity, age, vaccination status, viral variant, infection-control practices, and whether a rapid nasal-swab test was used to initially identify the household index case). Transmission was quantified by adjusted secondary attack rates (aSAR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR). An aSAR of 53.6% (95% CI 38.8-68.3%) was observed among households where the index case first tested positive by a rapid nasal-swab COVID-19 test, which was significantly higher than the aSAR for households where the index case utilized another test type (27.2% 95% CI 19.5-35.0%, P = 0.003 pairwise comparisons of predictive margins). We observed an aOR of 4.90 (95% CI 1.65-14.56) for transmission to household contacts when a nasal-swab rapid test was used to identify the index case, compared to other test types. Use of nasal-swab rapid COVID-19 tests for initial detection of infection and initiation of infection control may be less effective at limiting transmission to household contacts than other test types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Ji
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Alexander Viloria Winnett
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- University of California Los Angeles–California Institute of Technology Medical Scientist Training Program, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Natasha Shelby
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Reyes
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Noah W. Schlenker
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Hannah Davich
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Saharai Caldera
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Colten Tognazzini
- Pasadena Public Health Department, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Ying-Ying Goh
- Pasadena Public Health Department, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Matt Feaster
- Pasadena Public Health Department, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Rustem F. Ismagilov
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
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23
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Boukari Y, Beale S, Nguyen V, Fong WLE, Burns R, Yavlinsky A, Hoskins S, Lewis K, Geismar C, Navaratnam AM, Braithwaite I, Byrne TE, Oskrochi Y, Tweed S, Kovar J, Patel P, Hayward A, Aldridge R. SARS-CoV-2 infections in migrants and the role of household overcrowding: a causal mediation analysis of Virus Watch data. J Epidemiol Community Health 2023; 77:649-655. [PMID: 37463770 PMCID: PMC10511992 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2022-220251] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrants are over-represented in SARS-CoV-2 infections globally; however, evidence is limited for migrants in England and Wales. Household overcrowding is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with migrants more likely to live in overcrowded households than UK-born individuals. We aimed to estimate the total effect of migration status on SARS-CoV-2 infection and to what extent household overcrowding mediated this effect. METHODS We included a subcohort of individuals from the Virus Watch prospective cohort study during the second SARS-CoV-2 wave (1 September 2020-30 April 2021) who were aged ≥18 years, self-reported the number of rooms in their household and had no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection pre-September 2020. We estimated total, indirect and direct effects using Buis' logistic decomposition regression controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, clinical vulnerability, occupation, income and whether they lived with children. RESULTS In total, 23 478 individuals were included. 9.07% (187/2062) of migrants had evidence of infection during the study period vs 6.27% (1342/21 416) of UK-born individuals. Migrants had 22% higher odds of infection during the second wave (total effect; OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47). Household overcrowding accounted for approximately 36% (95% CI -4% to 77%) of these increased odds (indirect effect, OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.12; proportion accounted for: indirect effect on log odds scale/total effect on log odds scale=0.36). CONCLUSION Migrants had higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second wave compared with UK-born individuals and household overcrowding explained 36% of these increased odds. Policy interventions to reduce household overcrowding for migrants are needed as part of efforts to tackle health inequalities during the pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamina Boukari
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Beale
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vincent Nguyen
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Rachel Burns
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexei Yavlinsky
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Susan Hoskins
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kate Lewis
- Population, Policy and Practice Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Cyril Geismar
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Annalan Md Navaratnam
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Thomas E Byrne
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Youssof Oskrochi
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sam Tweed
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jana Kovar
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Parth Patel
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Aldridge
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
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Amele S, Kibuchi E, McCabe R, Pearce A, Henery P, Hainey K, Fagbamigbe AF, Kurdi A, McCowan C, Simpson CR, Dibben C, Buchanan D, Demou E, Almaghrabi F, Anghelescu G, Taylor H, Tibble H, Rudan I, Nazroo J, Bécares L, Daines L, Irizar P, Jayacodi S, Pattaro S, Sheikh A, Katikireddi SV. Ethnic inequalities in positive SARS-CoV-2 tests, infection prognosis, COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths: analysis of 2 years of a record linked national cohort study in Scotland. J Epidemiol Community Health 2023; 77:641-648. [PMID: 37524538 PMCID: PMC10511958 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-220501] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to estimate ethnic inequalities in risk for positive SARS-CoV-2 tests, COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths over time in Scotland. METHODS We conducted a population-based cohort study where the 2011 Scottish Census was linked to health records. We included all individuals ≥ 16 years living in Scotland on 1 March 2020. The study period was from 1 March 2020 to 17 April 2022. Self-reported ethnic group was taken from the census and Cox proportional hazard models estimated HRs for positive SARS-CoV-2 tests, hospitalisations and deaths, adjusted for age, sex and health board. We also conducted separate analyses for each of the four waves of COVID-19 to assess changes in risk over time. FINDINGS Of the 4 358 339 individuals analysed, 1 093 234 positive SARS-CoV-2 tests, 37 437 hospitalisations and 14 158 deaths occurred. The risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation or death among ethnic minority groups was often higher for White Gypsy/Traveller (HR 2.21, 95% CI (1.61 to 3.06)) and Pakistani 2.09 (1.90 to 2.29) groups compared with the white Scottish group. The risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation or death following confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 test was particularly higher for White Gypsy/Traveller 2.55 (1.81-3.58), Pakistani 1.75 (1.59-1.73) and African 1.61 (1.28-2.03) individuals relative to white Scottish individuals. However, the risk of COVID-19-related death following hospitalisation did not differ. The risk of COVID-19 outcomes for ethnic minority groups was higher in the first three waves compared with the fourth wave. INTERPRETATION Most ethnic minority groups were at increased risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes in Scotland, especially White Gypsy/Traveller and Pakistani groups. Ethnic inequalities persisted following community infection but not following hospitalisation, suggesting differences in hospital treatment did not substantially contribute to ethnic inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Amele
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Eliud Kibuchi
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ronan McCabe
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Pearce
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul Henery
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow Office, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kirsten Hainey
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), Faculty of Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Pharmacology,College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
| | - Colin McCowan
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - Colin R Simpson
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- School of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Chris Dibben
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, Institute of Geography, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fatima Almaghrabi
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gina Anghelescu
- Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry Taylor
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Holly Tibble
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Igor Rudan
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James Nazroo
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Laia Bécares
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Luke Daines
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Patricia Irizar
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sandra Jayacodi
- Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Representative, Non affiliated, Glasgow, UK
| | - Serena Pattaro
- Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Hoskins S, Beale S, Nguyen V, Boukari Y, Yavlinsky A, Kovar J, Byrne T, Fong WLE, Geismar C, Patel P, Johnson AM, Aldridge RW, Hayward A. Deprivation, essential and non-essential activities and SARS-CoV-2 infection following the lifting of national public health restrictions in England and Wales. NIHR OPEN RESEARCH 2023; 3:46. [PMID: 37994319 PMCID: PMC10663878 DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.13445.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Individuals living in deprived areas in England and Wales undertook essential activities more frequently and experienced higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection than less deprived communities during periods of restrictions aimed at controlling the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. We aimed to understand whether these deprivation-related differences changed once restrictions were lifted. Methods Among 11,231 adult Virus Watch Community Cohort Study participants multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate the relationships between deprivation and self-reported activities and deprivation and infection (self-reported lateral flow or PCR tests and linkage to National Testing data and Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)) between August - December 2021, following the lifting of national public health restrictions. Results Those living in areas of greatest deprivation were more likely to undertake essential activities (leaving home for work (aOR 1.56 (1.33 - 1.83)), using public transport (aOR 1.33 (1.13 - 1.57)) but less likely to undertake non-essential activities (indoor hospitality (aOR 0.82 (0.70 - 0.96)), outdoor hospitality (aOR 0.56 (0.48 - 0.66)), indoor leisure (aOR 0.63 (0.54 - 0.74)), outdoor leisure (aOR 0.64 (0.46 - 0.88)), or visit a hairdresser (aOR 0.72 (0.61 - 0.85))). No statistical association was observed between deprivation and infection (P=0.5745), with those living in areas of greatest deprivation no more likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (aOR 1.25 (0.87 - 1.79). Conclusion The lack of association between deprivation and infection is likely due to the increased engagement in non-essential activities among the least deprived balancing the increased work-related exposure among the most deprived. The differences in activities highlight stark disparities in an individuals' ability to choose how to limit infection exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Hoskins
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Sarah Beale
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, England, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Vincent Nguyen
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, England, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Yamina Boukari
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Alexei Yavlinsky
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Jana Kovar
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, England, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Thomas Byrne
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Wing Lam Erica Fong
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Cyril Geismar
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, England, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Parth Patel
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Anne M. Johnson
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, England, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Robert W. Aldridge
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, University College London, London, England, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Andrew Hayward
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, England, WC1E 7HB, UK
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26
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Carter AR, Clayton GL, Borges MC, Howe LD, Hughes RA, Smith GD, Lawlor DA, Tilling K, Griffith GJ. Time-sensitive testing pressures and COVID-19 outcomes: are socioeconomic inequalities over the first year of the pandemic explained by selection bias? BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1863. [PMID: 37752486 PMCID: PMC10521522 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16767-5] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are many ways in which selection bias might impact COVID-19 research. Here we focus on selection for receiving a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) SARS-CoV-2 test and how known changes to selection pressures over time may bias research into COVID-19 infection. METHODS Using UK Biobank (N = 420,231; 55% female; mean age = 66.8 [SD = 8·11]) we estimate the association between socio-economic position (SEP) and (i) being tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection versus not being tested (ii) testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection versus testing negative and (iii) testing negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection versus not being tested. We construct four distinct time-periods between March 2020 and March 2021, representing distinct periods of testing pressures and lockdown restrictions and specify both time-stratified and combined models for each outcome. We explore potential selection bias by examining associations with positive and negative control exposures. RESULTS The association between more disadvantaged SEP and receiving a SARS-CoV-2 test attenuated over time. Compared to individuals with a degree, individuals whose highest educational qualification was a GCSE or equivalent had an OR of 1·27 (95% CI: 1·18 to 1·37) in March-May 2020 and 1·13 (95% CI: 1.·10 to 1·16) in January-March 2021. The magnitude of the association between educational attainment and testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection increased over the same period. For the equivalent comparison, the OR for testing positive increased from 1·25 (95% CI: 1·04 to 1·47), to 1·69 (95% CI: 1·55 to 1·83). We found little evidence of an association between control exposures, and any considered outcome. CONCLUSIONS The association between SEP and SARS-CoV-2 testing changed over time, highlighting the potential of time-specific selection pressures to bias analyses of COVID-19. Positive and negative control analyses suggest that changes in the association between SEP and SARS-CoV-2 infection over time likely reflect true increases in socioeconomic inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Carter
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gemma L Clayton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - M Carolina Borges
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Laura D Howe
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Rachael A Hughes
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gareth J Griffith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
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Urdiales T, Dernie F, Català M, Prats-Uribe A, Prats C, Prieto-Alhambra D. Association between ethnic background and COVID-19 morbidity, mortality and vaccination in England: a multistate cohort analysis using the UK Biobank. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e074367. [PMID: 37734898 PMCID: PMC10514643 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074367] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite growing evidence suggesting increased COVID-19 mortality among people from ethnic minorities, little is known about milder forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We sought to explore the association between ethnic background and the probability of testing, testing positive, hospitalisation, COVID-19 mortality and vaccination uptake. DESIGN A multistate cohort analysis. Participants were followed between 8 April 2020 and 30 September 2021. SETTING The UK Biobank, which stores medical data on around half a million people who were recruited between 2006 and 2010. PARTICIPANTS 405 541 subjects were eligible for analysis, limited to UK Biobank participants living in England. 23 891 (6%) of participants were non-white. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The associations between ethnic background and testing, testing positive, hospitalisation and COVID-19 mortality were studied using multistate survival analyses. The association with single and double-dose vaccination was also modelled. Multistate models adjusted for age, sex and socioeconomic deprivation were fitted to estimate adjusted HRs (aHR) for each of the multistate transitions. RESULTS 18 172 (4.5%) individuals tested positive, 3285 (0.8%) tested negative and then positive, 1490 (6.9% of those tested positive) were hospitalised, and 129 (0.6%) tested positive at the moment of hospital admission (ie, direct hospitalisation). Finally, 662 (17.4%) died after admission. Compared with white participants, Asian participants had an increased risk of negative to positive transition (aHR 1.24 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.52)), testing positive (95% CI 1.44 (1.33 to 1.55)) and direct hospitalisation (1.61 (95% CI 1.28 to 2.03)). Black participants had an increased risk of hospitalisation following a positive test (1.71 (95% CI 1.29 to 2.27)) and direct hospitalisation (1.90 (95% CI 1.51 to 2.39)). Although not the case for Asians (aHR 1.00 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.02)), black participants had a reduced vaccination probability (0.63 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.65)). In contrast, Chinese participants had a reduced risk of testing negative (aHR 0.64 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.73)), of testing positive (0.40 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.57)) and of vaccination (0.78 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.83)). CONCLUSIONS We identified inequities in testing, vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes according to ethnicity in England. Compared with whites, Asian participants had increased risks of infection and admission, and black participants had almost double hospitalisation risk, and a 40% lower vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Urdiales
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Energy Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Francesco Dernie
- Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martí Català
- Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Albert Prats-Uribe
- Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Clara Prats
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
- Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Pérez-Segura V, Caro-Carretero R, Rua A. Changing face of socio-economic vulnerability and COVID-19: An analysis of country wealth during the first two years of the pandemic. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290529. [PMID: 37639404 PMCID: PMC10461814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
There are numerous academic studies on the relationship between population wealth and the incidence of COVID-19. However, research developed shows contradictory results on their relationship. In accordance with this question, this work pursues two objectives: on the one hand, to check whether wealth and disease incidence have a unidirectional and stable relationship. And on the other hand, to find out if the country's statistical production capacity is masking the real incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to achieve this objective, an ecological study has been designed at international level with the countries established as study units. The analytical strategy utilized involves the consecutive application of cross-sectional analysis, specifically employing multivariate linear regression daily throughout the first two years of the pandemic (from 03/14/2020 to 03/28/2022). The application of multiple cross-sectional analysis has shown that country wealth has a dynamic relationship with the incidence of COVID-19. Initially, it appears as a risk factor and, in the long term, as a protective element. In turn, statistical capacity appears as an explanatory variable for the number of published COVID-19 cases and deaths. Therefore, the inadequate statistical production capacity of low income countries may be masking the real incidence of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Pérez-Segura
- University Institute of Studies on Migrations, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Caro-Carretero
- Industrial Organization Department, ICAI-School of Engineering, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rua
- Department of Quantitative Methods, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain
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29
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Rostila M, Cederström A, Wallace M, Aradhya S, Ahrne M, Juárez SP. Inequalities in COVID-19 severe morbidity and mortality by country of birth in Sweden. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4919. [PMID: 37582909 PMCID: PMC10427621 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40568-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Migrants have been more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether this has varied over the course of the pandemic remains unknown. We examined how inequalities in intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death related to COVID-19 by country of birth have evolved over the course of the pandemic, while considering the contribution of social conditions and vaccination uptake. A population-based cohort study was conducted including adults living in Sweden between March 1, 2020 and June 1, 2022 (n = 7,870,441). Poisson regressions found that migrants from Africa, Middle East, Asia and European countries without EU28/EEA, UK and Switzerland had higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and ICU admission than Swedish-born. High risks of COVID-19 ICU admission was also found in migrants from South America. Inequalities were generally reduced through subsequent waves of the pandemic. In many migrant groups socioeconomic status and living conditions contributed to the disparities while vaccination campaigns were decisive when such became available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Rostila
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Agneta Cederström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew Wallace
- Demography Unit, Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siddartha Aradhya
- Demography Unit, Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Ahrne
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sol P Juárez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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30
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Hu S, Xiong C, Zhao Y, Yuan X, Wang X. Vaccination, human mobility, and COVID-19 health outcomes: Empirical comparison before and during the outbreak of SARS-Cov-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant. Vaccine 2023; 41:5097-5112. [PMID: 37270367 PMCID: PMC10234469 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant surge has raised concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines and the impact of imprudent reopening. Leveraging over two years of county-level COVID-19 data in the US, this study aims to investigate relationships among vaccination, human mobility, and COVID-19 health outcomes (assessed via case rate and case-fatality rate), controlling for socioeconomic, demographic, racial/ethnic, and partisan factors. A set of cross-sectional models was first fitted to empirically compare disparities in COVID-19 health outcomes before and during the Omicron surge. Then, time-varying mediation analyses were employed to delineate how the effects of vaccine and mobility on COVID-19 health outcomes vary over time. Results showed that vaccine effectiveness against case rate lost significance during the Omicron surge, while its effectiveness against case-fatality rate remained significant throughout the pandemic. We also documented salient structural inequalities in COVID-19-related outcomes, with disadvantaged populations consistently bearing a larger brunt of case and death tolls, regardless of high vaccination rates. Last, findings revealed that mobility presented a significantly positive relationship with case rates during each wave of variant outbreak. Mobility substantially mediated the direct effect from vaccination to case rate, leading to a 10.276 % (95 % CI: 6.257, 14.294) decrease in vaccine effectiveness on average. Altogether, our study implies that sole reliance on vaccination to halt COVID-19 needs to be re-examined. Well-resourced and coordinated efforts to enhance vaccine effectiveness, mitigate health disparity and selectively loosen non-pharmaceutical interventions are essential to bringing the pandemic to an end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhua Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
| | - Chenfeng Xiong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, PA 19085, United States.
| | - Yingrui Zhao
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, PA 19085, United States
| | - Xuqiu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, PA 19085, United States
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31
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Harris M, Hart J, Bhattacharya O, Russell FM. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1178167. [PMID: 37583888 PMCID: PMC10424847 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1178167] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Identifying SARS-CoV-2 infection risk factors allows targeted public health and social measures (PHSM). As new, more transmissible variants of concern (VoC) emerge, vaccination rates increase and PHSM are eased, it is important to understand any potential change to infection risk factors. The aim of this systematic literature review is to describe the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection by VoC. Methods A literature search was performed in MEDLINE, PubMed and Embase databases on 5 May 2022. Eligibility included: observational studies published in English after 1 January 2020; any age group; the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection; and any potential risk factors investigated in the study. Results were synthesized into a narrative summary with respect to measures of association, by VoC. ROBINS-E tool was utilized for risk of bias assessment. Results Of 6,197 studies retrieved, 43 studies were included after screening. Common risk factors included older age, minority ethnic group, low socioeconomic status, male gender, increased household size, occupation/lower income level, inability to work from home, public transport use, and lower education level. Most studies were undertaken when the ancestral strain was predominant. Many studies had some selection bias due to testing criteria and limited laboratory capacity. Conclusion Understanding who is at risk enables the development of strategies that target priority groups at each of the different stages of a pandemic and helps inform vaccination strategies and other interventions which may also inform public health responses to future respiratory infection outbreaks. While it was not possible to determine changes to infection risk by recent VoC in this review, the risk factors identified will add to the overall understanding of the groups who are at greatest risk of infection in the early stages of a respiratory virus outbreak. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022330706, PROSPERO [CRD42022330706].
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Harris
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Asia-Pacific Health Group, Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John Hart
- Asia-Pacific Health Group, Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Oashe Bhattacharya
- Asia-Pacific Health Group, Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Fiona M. Russell
- Asia-Pacific Health Group, Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Irizar P, Kapadia D, Amele S, Bécares L, Divall P, Katikireddi SV, Kibuchi E, Kneale D, McCabe R, Nazroo J, Nellums LB, Taylor H, Sze S, Pan D, Pareek M. Pathways to ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 health outcomes in the United Kingdom: A systematic map. Soc Sci Med 2023; 329:116044. [PMID: 37364448 PMCID: PMC10284430 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116044] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marked ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 infection and its consequences have been documented. The aim of this paper is to identify the range and nature of evidence on potential pathways which lead to ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 related health outcomes in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS We searched six bibliographic and five grey literature databases from 1st December 2019 to 23rd February 2022 for research on pathways to ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 health outcomes in the UK. Meta-data were extracted and coded, using a framework informed by a logic model. Open Science Framework Registration: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/HZRB7. RESULTS The search returned 10,728 records after excluding duplicates, with 123 included (83% peer-reviewed). Mortality was the most common outcome investigated (N = 79), followed by infection (N = 52). The majority of studies were quantitative (N = 93, 75%), with four qualitative studies (3%), seven academic narrative reviews (6%), nine third sector reports (7%) and five government reports (4%), and four systematic reviews or meta-analyses (3%). There were 78 studies which examined comorbidities as a pathway to mortality, infection, and severe disease. Socioeconomic inequalities (N = 67) were also commonly investigated, with considerable research into neighbourhood infrastructure (N = 38) and occupational risk (N = 28). Few studies examined barriers to healthcare (N = 6) and consequences of infection control measures (N = 10). Only 11% of eligible studies theorised racism to be a driver of inequalities and 10% (typically government/third sector reports and qualitative studies) explored this as a pathway. CONCLUSION This systematic map identified knowledge clusters that may be amenable to subsequent systematic reviews, and critical gaps in the evidence-base requiring additional primary research. Most studies do not incorporate or conceptualise racism as the fundamental cause of ethnic inequalities and therefore the contribution to literature and policy is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Irizar
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Dharmi Kapadia
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Amele
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Laia Bécares
- Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - Pip Divall
- University Hospitals of Leicester, Education Centre Library, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK
| | | | - Eliud Kibuchi
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Dylan Kneale
- Institute of Education, University College London, UK
| | - Ronan McCabe
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - James Nazroo
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Laura B Nellums
- Lifespan and Population Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - Harry Taylor
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Shirley Sze
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Daniel Pan
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, UK; NIHR Leicester BioMedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Leicester, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK; Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, UK; NIHR Leicester BioMedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Leicester, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK
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Paz de Sousa KM, Rosana de Araújo Oliveira S, Alencar Sousa Macau Furtado BM, Ribeiro de Vasconcelos AL, Gomes de Medeiros S, Cazarin G, Soares Sampaio A, Ridde V. Hospital Resilience in Three COVID-19 Referral Hospitals in Brazil. Health Syst Reform 2023; 9:2205726. [PMID: 37364170 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2023.2205726] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, challenge health systems in demonstrating resilience-the ability to cope with change, manage challenges, and adapt in order to retain their effectiveness. Understanding how such challenges affect and produce reactions in those involved in this response is extremely important. This study evaluated resilience in three referral hospitals in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil-one public, one private, and one philanthropic hospital-by examining the coping activities adopted by the nursing staff working on the COVID-19 frontline. A multiple case study was carried out, using a qualitative approach, triangulating data from direct observations, document analysis, and interviews with 21 nursing professionals working in management and care provision. Data were collected from April to October 2020. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed based on the resilience categories defined by Blanchet (2017): absorption capacity, adaptive capacity, and transformative capacity. Four themes were considered relevant to the objectives of this study: institutional support, access to personal protective equipment (PPE), work relationships, and fear and mental health. Adaptive capacity was demonstrated concerning the four themes analyzed, absorption capacity was demonstrated in two themes, and no transformative capacity was identified. The study highlighted that the health crisis was challenging for all the hospitals studied, regardless of their legal-administrative status. No differences were observed among them in terms of resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Gisele Cazarin
- Department of Public Health, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Valéry Ridde
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, Paris, France
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Elsinga J, Kuodi P, Shibli H, Gorelik Y, Zayyad H, Wertheim O, Abu Jabal K, Dror A, Nazzal S, Glikman D, Edelstein M. Changes in Quality of Life Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Jewish and Arab Populations in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605970. [PMID: 37378302 PMCID: PMC10291044 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605970] [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] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities is under-researched. We investigated changes in health-related inequalities following SARS-CoV-2 infection between the Jewish majority and the Arab/Druze minority in Israel. Methods: Patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test processed from one of the Northern-Israeli government hospitals between 03/2021 and 05/2022 were invited to participate. We collected socio-demographic, COVID-19-related, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) information using a validated questionnaire. We compared pre- and post COVID-19 HRQoL changes between Jews and Arabs/Druze, up to 12+ months post-infection using an adjusted linear regression model. Results: Among the 881 included participants the average post-COVID HRQoL score was lower among Arabs/Druze than Jews (0.83 vs. 0.88; p = 0.005). Until 12 months post-infection, HRQoL changes were similar for Arabs/Druze and Jews. After 12 months, HRQoL dropped significantly more among Arabs/Druze than among Jews (0.11 points difference between the groups; p = 0.014), despite adjusting for socioeconomic variables. Conclusion: 12 months post-infection, COVID-19 affected the HRQoL of Arabs/Druze more than Jews, with the gap not fully explained by socio-economic differences. The COVID-19 pandemic may widen pre-existing long-term health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelte Elsinga
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul Kuodi
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Haneen Shibli
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Yanay Gorelik
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Hiba Zayyad
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Poriah, Israel
| | - Ofir Wertheim
- The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Poriah, Israel
| | - Kamal Abu Jabal
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
| | - Amiel Dror
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
| | - Saleh Nazzal
- The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Poriah, Israel
| | - Daniel Glikman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Poriah, Israel
| | - Michael Edelstein
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
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Correa-Agudelo E, Ding L, Beck AF, Mendy A, Mersha TB. Multilevel Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Hospitalization among Children with Allergies. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:843-853. [PMID: 36622831 PMCID: PMC10257024 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202207-580oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Previous studies have identified risk factors for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalization in children. However, these studies have been limited in their ability to disentangle the contribution of racial disparities, allergic comorbidities, and environmental exposures to the development of severe COVID-19 in at-risk children with allergies. Objectives: To examine racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization and their links to potentially underlying allergic comorbidities and individual and place-based factors in children with allergies. Methods: This is an electronic health record-based retrospective study of children in 2020. The outcome was COVID-19 hospitalization categorized as no hospital care for patients with asymptomatic/mild illness, short stay for patients admitted and discharged within 24 hours, and prolonged stay for patients requiring additional time to discharge (more than 24 h). Mixed-effects and mediation models were used to determine relationships among independent variables, mediators, and COVID-19 hospitalization. Results: Among the 5,258 children with COVID-19 positive test or diagnosis, 10% required a short stay, and 3.7% required a prolonged stay. Black and Hispanic children had higher odds of longer stays than non-Hispanic White children (both P < 0.001). Children with obesity and eosinophilic esophagitis diagnoses had higher odds of short and prolonged stay (all P < 0.05). Area-level deprivation was associated with short stay (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 15.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.16-45.47 for every 0.1-unit increase) and prolonged stay (AOR, 11.82; 95% CI, 2.25-62.01 for every 0.1-unit increase). Associations between race/ethnicity and COVID-19 hospitalization were primarily mediated by insurance and area-level deprivation, altogether accounting for 99% of the variation in COVID-19 hospitalization. Conclusions: There were racial and ethnic differences in children with allergies and individual and place-based factors related to COVID-19 hospitalization. Differences were primarily mediated by insurance and area-level deprivation, altogether accounting for 99% of the variation in COVID-19 hospitalization. A better understanding of COVID-related morbidity in children and the link to place-based factors is key to developing prevention strategies capable of equitably improving outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lili Ding
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- Division of General & Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and
| | - Angelico Mendy
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Czapka EA, Herrero-Arias R, Haj-Younes J, Hasha W, Madar AA, Møen KA, Ortiz-Barreda G, Diaz E. 'Who is telling the truth?' Migrants' experiences with COVID-19 related information in Norway: a qualitative study. Scand J Public Health 2023; 51:454-462. [PMID: 36377047 PMCID: PMC9666409 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221135237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The over-representation of migrants among those infected by COVID-19 in high-income countries has spurred questions about insufficient distribution of health information to society's subgroups. Our study aimed to shed light on migrants' experiences with information relating to COVID-19 in Norway. METHODS We conducted 55 semi-structured interviews with migrants from five different countries living in Norway: Somalia (10), Syria (15), Sri Lanka (10), Chile (10), and Poland (10). The interviews were performed by bilingual researchers with a migrant background, audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS We identified the four key themes of multiple and contradictory information sources, language barriers, conspiracy theories/speculations, strategies for information provision and ways ahead. Participants accessed and combined several often transnational sources of information. Information was perceived as confusing and contradictory and there was a wish for more translated information. CONCLUSIONS It is important to recognise the specific factors affecting migrants' ability to receive, trust and use health-related information during pandemics and other health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raquel Herrero-Arias
- Department of Welfare and
Participation, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway
| | - Jasmin Haj-Younes
- Department of Global Public Health and
Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Wegdan Hasha
- Department of Global Public Health and
Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Ahmed A. Madar
- Department of Community Medicine and
Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Kathy A. Møen
- Department of Global Public Health and
Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
- NORCE Research Centre, Bergen,
Norway
| | - Gaby Ortiz-Barreda
- Department of Health Promotion and
Development, University of Bergen, Norway
- Public Health Research Group,
University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and
Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
- Unit for Migration and Health,
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
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Juárez SP, Honkaniemi H, Aradhya S, Debiasi E, Katikireddi SV, Cederström AF, Mussino E, Rostila M. Explaining COVID-19 mortality among immigrants in Sweden from a social determinants of health perspective (COVIS): protocol for a national register-based observational study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070670. [PMID: 37094903 PMCID: PMC10151235 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070670] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adopting a social determinants of health perspective, this project aims to study how disproportionate COVID-19 mortality among immigrants in Sweden is associated with social factors operating through differential exposure to the virus (eg, by being more likely to work in high-exposure occupations) and differential effects of infection arising from socially patterned, pre-existing health conditions, differential healthcare seeking and inequitable healthcare provision. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This observational study will use health (eg, hospitalisations, deaths) and sociodemographic information (eg, occupation, income, social benefits) from Swedish national registers linked using unique identity numbers. The study population includes all adults registered in Sweden in the year before the start of the pandemic (2019), as well as individuals who immigrated to Sweden or turned 18 years of age after the start of the pandemic (2020). Our analyses will primarily cover the period from 31 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, with updates depending on the progression of the pandemic. We will evaluate COVID-19 mortality differences between foreign-born and Swedish-born individuals by examining each mechanism (differential exposure and effects) separately, while considering potential effect modification by country of birth and socioeconomic factors. Planned statistical modelling techniques include mediation analyses, multilevel models, Poisson regression and event history analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This project has been granted all necessary ethical permissions from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2022-0048-01) for accessing and analysing deidentified data. The final outputs will primarily be disseminated as scientific articles published in open-access peer-reviewed international journals, as well as press releases and policy briefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Pia Juárez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Honkaniemi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siddartha Aradhya
- Stockholm University Demography Unit, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Enrico Debiasi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Agneta F Cederström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleonora Mussino
- Stockholm University Demography Unit, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rostila
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tobi M, Bluth MH, Rossi NF, Demian E, Talwar H, Tobi YY, Sochacki P, Levi E, Lawson M, McVicker B. In the SARS-CoV-2 Pandora Pandemic: Can the Stance of Premorbid Intestinal Innate Immune System as Measured by Fecal Adnab-9 Binding of p87:Blood Ferritin, Yielding the FERAD Ratio, Predict COVID-19 Susceptibility and Survival in a Prospective Population Database? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7536. [PMID: 37108697 PMCID: PMC10145175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087536] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 severity predictions are feasible, though individual susceptibility is not. The latter prediction allows for planning vaccination strategies and the quarantine of vulnerable targets. Ironically, the innate immune response (InImS) is both an antiviral defense and the potential cause of adverse immune outcomes. The competition for iron has been recognized between both the immune system and invading pathogens and expressed in a ratio of ferritin divided by p87 (as defined by the Adnab-9 ELISA stool-binding optical density, minus the background), known as the FERAD ratio. Associations with the FERAD ratio may allow predictive modeling for the susceptibility and severity of disease. We evaluated other potential COVID-19 biomarkers prospectively. Patients with PCR+ COVID-19 tests (Group 1; n = 28) were compared to three other groups. In Group 2 (n = 36), and 13 patients displayed COVID-19-like symptoms but had negative PCR or negative antibody tests. Group 3 (n = 90) had no symptoms and were negative when routinely PCR-tested before medical procedures. Group 4 (n = 2129) comprised a pool of patients who had stool tests and symptoms, but their COVID-19 diagnoses were unknown; therefore, they were chosen to represent the general population. Twenty percent of the Group 4 patients (n = 432) had sufficient data to calculate their FERAD ratios, which were inversely correlated with the risk of COVID-19 in the future. In a case report of a neonate, we studied three biomarkers implicated in COVID-19, including p87, Src (cellular-p60-sarcoma antigen), and Abl (ABL-proto-oncogene 2). The InImS of the first two were positively correlated. An inverse correlation was found between ferritin and lysozyme in serum (p < 0.05), suggesting that iron could have impaired an important innate immune system anti-viral effector and could partially explain future COVID-19 susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tobi
- Research and Development Service, Detroit VAMC, 4747 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48602, USA
| | - Martin H. Bluth
- Blood Transfusion and Donor Services, Department of Pathology, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 10th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA
- School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 540 E Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Noreen F. Rossi
- Research and Development Service, Detroit VAMC, 4747 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48602, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 540 E. Canfield Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Ereny Demian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 700 HMC Cres Rd., Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Harvinder Talwar
- Research and Development Service, Detroit VAMC, 4747 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48602, USA
- School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 540 E Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Yosef Y. Tobi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Paula Sochacki
- Department of Pathology, Detroit VAMC, 4747 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48602, USA
| | - Edi Levi
- Research and Development Service, Detroit VAMC, 4747 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48602, USA
| | - Michael Lawson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - Benita McVicker
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Taye AD, Borga LG, Greiff S, Vögele C, D'Ambrosio C. A machine learning approach to predict self-protecting behaviors during the early wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6121. [PMID: 37059871 PMCID: PMC10103659 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33033-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Using a unique harmonized real-time data set from the COME-HERE longitudinal survey that covers five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden) and applying a non-parametric machine learning model, this paper identifies the main individual and macro-level predictors of self-protecting behaviors against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first wave of the pandemic. Exploiting the interpretability of a Random Forest algorithm via Shapely values, we find that a higher regional incidence of COVID-19 triggers higher levels of self-protective behavior, as does a stricter government policy response. The level of individual knowledge about the pandemic, confidence in institutions, and population density also ranks high among the factors that predict self-protecting behaviors. We also identify a steep socioeconomic gradient with lower levels of self-protecting behaviors being associated with lower income and poor housing conditions. Among socio-demographic factors, gender, marital status, age, and region of residence are the main determinants of self-protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemayehu D Taye
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4366, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liyousew G Borga
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4366, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Samuel Greiff
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4366, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Claus Vögele
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4366, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| | - Conchita D'Ambrosio
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4366, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Tangirala S, Tierney BT, Patel CJ. Prioritization of COVID-19 risk factors in July 2020 and February 2021 in the UK. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:45. [PMID: 36997659 PMCID: PMC10062272 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk for COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization due to diverse environmental and sociodemographic factors may change as the pandemic progresses. METHODS We investigated the association of 360 exposures sampled before COVID-19 outcomes for participants in the UK Biobank, including 9268 and 38,837 non-overlapping participants, sampled at July 17, 2020 and February 2, 2021, respectively. The 360 exposures included clinical biomarkers (e.g., BMI), health indicators (e.g., doctor-diagnosed diabetes), and environmental/behavioral variables (e.g., air pollution) measured 10-14 years before the COVID-19 time periods. RESULTS Here we show, for example, "participant having son and/or daughter in household" was associated with an increase in incidence from 20% to 32% (risk difference of 12%) between timepoints. Furthermore, we find age to be increasingly associated with COVID-19 positivity over time from Risk Ratio [RR] (per 10-year age increase) of 0.81 to 0.6 (hospitalization RR from 1.18 to 2.63, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our data-driven approach demonstrates that time of pandemic plays a role in identifying risk factors associated with positivity and hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivateja Tangirala
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Braden T Tierney
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chirag J Patel
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kjøllesdal M, Magnusson K. Occupational risk of COVID-19 by country of birth. A register-based study. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:6-12. [PMID: 34617101 PMCID: PMC8522378 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational exposure has been suggested to contribute to a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among immigrants. We aim to assess this hypothesis in Norway. METHODS In 2729 627 adults born in Norway, Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey, we examined whether persons employed as taxi drivers, bus and tram drivers, child care workers, nurses, personal care workers in health, food service counter attendants, waiters/bartenders, cleaners and shop sale persons had a higher risk of COVID-19, from 1 April 2020 to 2 December 2020, compared with (i) Norwegian-born in the same occupational group and (ii) all others with the same birth country and aged 20-70 years, using logistic regressions. RESULTS Within each occupational group, immigrants had a greatly increased odds of COVID-19 when compared with Norwegian-born (odds ratio [OR] ~ 1.66-12.72). However, immigrants working in the selected occupations had the same odds of COVID-19 as person with same birth country not having the same occupation (OR ~ 1). Exceptions were Somalian, Afghani and Iraqi personal care workers in health services who had an increased odds of COVID-19 compared with others from the same country. CONCLUSION Occupation is not an important driver of the high rates of COVID-19 among immigrants from Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marte Kjøllesdal
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Health Services Research, 0213 Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian University of Lifesciences, Institute of Public Health Science, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Karin Magnusson
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Health Services Research, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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Abuelezam NN, Michel I, Marshall BD, Galea S. Accounting for historical injustices in mathematical models of infectious disease transmission: An analytic overview. Epidemics 2023; 43:100679. [PMID: 36924757 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Differences in infectious disease risk, acquisition, and severity arise from intersectional systems of oppression and resulting historical injustices that shape individual behavior and circumstance. We define historical injustices as distinct events and policies that arise out of intersectional systems of oppression. We view historical injustices as a medium through which structural forces affect health both directly and indirectly, and are thus important to study in the context of infectious disease disparities. In this critical analysis we aim to highlight the importance of incorporating historical injustices into mathematical models of infectious disease transmission and provide context on the methodologies to do so. We offer two illustrations of elements of model building (i.e., parameterization, validation and calibration) that can allow for a better understanding of health disparities in infectious disease outcomes. Mathematical models that do not recognize the historical forces that underlie infectious disease dynamics inevitably lead to the individualization of our focus and the recommendation of untenable individual-behavioral prescriptions to address the burden of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia N Abuelezam
- Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
| | - Isaacson Michel
- Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
| | - Brandon Dl Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Sandro Galea
- Boston University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Larsen T, Bosworth ML, Ayoubkhani D, Schofield R, Ali R, Khunti K, Walker AS, Glickman M, Harrison C, Nafilyan V. Inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 case rates by ethnicity, religion, measures of socioeconomic position, English proficiency, and self-reported disability: cohort study of 39 million people in England during the alpha and delta waves. BMJ MEDICINE 2023; 2:e000187. [PMID: 37063237 PMCID: PMC10568121 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective To examine sociodemographic inequalities in people with SARS-CoV-2 during the second (alpha) and third (delta) waves of the covid-19 pandemic. Design Retrospective, population based cohort study. Setting Resident population of England. Participants 39 006 194 people aged 10 years and older who were enumerated in the 2011 census, registered with the NHS, and alive on 1 September 2020. Main outcome measures Age standardised SARS-CoV-2 case rates (ie, the number of people who received a positive test result per 100 000 person weeks at risk) during the second wave (1 September 2020 to 22 May 2021) or third wave (23 May to 10 December 2021) of the pandemic. Age standardised rates were calculated by sociodemographic characteristics and adjusted rate ratios were estimated using generalised linear regression models with a Poisson distribution (models were adjusted for covariates including sex, age, geographical variables, and sociodemographic characteristics). Results During the study period, 5 767 584 people (14.8% of the study population) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the second wave, the fully adjusted relative risks of having a positive test were highest for the Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnic groups compared with the white British group, with rate ratios of 1.75 (95% confidence interval 1.73 to 1.77) and 1.69 (1.68 to 1.70), respectively. Muslim and Sikh religious groups had fully adjusted rate ratios of 1.51 (1.50 to 1.51) and 1.64 (1.63 to 1.66), respectively, compared with the Christian group. Greater area deprivation, disadvantaged socioeconomic position, living in a care home, and low English language proficiency were also associated with higher relative risk of having a positive test. However, the inequalities among groups varied over time. Being Christian, white British, without a disability, and from a more advantaged socioeconomic position were associated with increased relative risk of testing positive during the third wave. Conclusion Research is urgently needed to understand the large sociodemographic inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 case rates in order to inform policy interventions in future waves or pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Larsen
- Office for National Statistics, Newport, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Kamlesh Khunti
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ann Sarah Walker
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Univerity of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Vahé Nafilyan
- Office for National Statistics, Newport, UK
- Department of Public Health Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Hall RN, Jones A, Crean E, Marriott V, Pingault N, Marmor A, Sloan-Gardner T, Kennedy K, Coleman K, Johnston V, Schwessinger B. Public health interventions successfully mitigated multiple incursions of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the Australian Capital Territory. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e30. [PMID: 36786292 PMCID: PMC10024954 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823000201] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to understand how real-time pathogen genomics can be used for large-scale outbreak investigations. On 12 August 2021, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) detected an incursion of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Prior to this date, SARS-CoV-2 had been eliminated locally since 7 July 2020. Several public health interventions were rapidly implemented in response to the incursion, including a territory-wide lockdown and comprehensive contact tracing. The ACT has not previously used pathogen genomics at a population level in an outbreak response; therefore, this incursion also presented an opportunity to investigate the utility of genomic sequencing to support contact tracing efforts in the ACT. Sequencing of >75% of the 1793 laboratory-confirmed cases during the 3 months following the initial notification identified at least 13 independent incursions with onwards spread in the community. Stratification of cases by genomic cluster revealed that distinct cohorts were affected by the different incursions. Two incursions resulted in most of the community transmission during the study period, with persistent transmission in vulnerable sections of the community. Ultimately, both major incursions were successfully mitigated through public health interventions, including COVID-19 vaccines. The high rates of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in the ACT and the relatively small population size facilitated detailed investigations of the patterns of virus transmission, revealing insights beyond those gathered from traditional contact tracing alone. Genomic sequencing was critical to disentangling complex transmission chains to target interventions appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn N Hall
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ashley Jones
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Emma Crean
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Victoria Marriott
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nevada Pingault
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alexandra Marmor
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Timothy Sloan-Gardner
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Karina Kennedy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canberra Health Services, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Kerryn Coleman
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Vanessa Johnston
- COVID-19 Response Division, AC1850T Health Directorate, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Benjamin Schwessinger
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Author for correspondence: Benjamin Schwessinger, E-mail:
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Richard Z, Chabrol F, Gautier L, Zinszer K, Ridde V. Considering social inequalities in health in COVID-19 response: insights from a French case study. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:6974796. [PMID: 36617297 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the impact of social inequalities in health (SIH). Various studies have shown significant inequalities in mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19 and the influence of social determinants of health. The objective of this qualitative case study was to analyze the consideration of SIH in the design of two key COVID-19 prevention and control interventions in France: testing and contact tracing. Interviews were conducted with 36 key informants involved in the design of the intervention and/or the government response to the pandemic as well as relevant documents (n = 15) were reviewed. We applied data triangulation and a hybrid deductive and inductive analysis to analyze the data. Findings revealed the divergent understandings and perspectives about SIH, as well as the challenges associated with consideration for these at the beginning stages of the pandemic. Despite a shared concern for SIH between the participants, an epidemiological frame of reference dominated the design of the intervention. It resulted in a model in which consideration for SIH appeared as a complement, with a clinical goal of the intervention: breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Although the COVID-19 health crisis highlighted the importance of SIH, it did not appear to be an opportunity to further their consideration in response efforts. This article provides original insights into consideration for SIH in the design of testing and contact-tracing interventions based upon a qualitative investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoé Richard
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, INSERM, Ceped, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Fanny Chabrol
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, INSERM, Ceped, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Lara Gautier
- École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal (ESPUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kate Zinszer
- École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal (ESPUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Valéry Ridde
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, INSERM, Ceped, F-75006 Paris, France
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Hilton B, Wilson DJ, O'Connell AM, Ironmonger D, Rudkin JK, Allen N, Oliver I, Wyllie DH. Laboratory diagnosed microbial infection in English UK Biobank participants in comparison to the general population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:496. [PMID: 36627297 PMCID: PMC9831014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20635-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic and environmental risk factors for serious bacterial infections in ageing populations remains incomplete. Utilising the UK Biobank (UKB), a prospective cohort study of 500,000 adults aged 40-69 years at recruitment (2006-2010), can help address this. Partial implementation of such a system helped groups around the world make rapid progress understanding risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, with insights appearing as early as May 2020. In principle, such approaches could also to be used for bacterial isolations. Here we report feasibility testing of linking an England-wide dataset of microbial reporting to UKB participants, to enable characterisation of microbial infections within the UKB Cohort. These records pertain mainly to bacterial isolations; SARS-CoV-2 isolations were not included. Microbiological infections occurring in patients in England, as recorded in the Public Health England second generation surveillance system (SGSS), were linked to UKB participants using pseudonymised identifiers. By January 2015, ascertainment of laboratory reports from UKB participants by SGSS was estimated at 98%. 4.5% of English UKB participants had a positive microbiological isolate in 2015. Half of UKB isolates came from 12 laboratories, and 70% from 21 laboratories. Incidence rate ratios for microbial isolation, which is indicative of serious infection, from the UKB cohort relative to the comparably aged general population ranged from 0.6 to 1, compatible with the previously described healthy participant bias in UKB. Data on microbial isolations can be linked to UKB participants from January 2015 onwards. This linked data would offer new opportunities for research into the role of bacterial agents on health and disease in middle to-old age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J Wilson
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Justine K Rudkin
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Naomi Allen
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - David H Wyllie
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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47
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Bosworth ML, Ahmed T, Larsen T, Lorenzi L, Morgan J, Ali R, Goldblatt P, Islam N, Khunti K, Raleigh V, Ayoubkhani D, Bannister N, Glickman M, Nafilyan V. Ethnic differences in COVID-19 mortality in the second and third waves of the pandemic in England during the vaccine rollout: a retrospective, population-based cohort study. BMC Med 2023; 21:13. [PMID: 36617562 PMCID: PMC9826727 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02704-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnic minority groups in England have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have lower vaccination rates than the White British population. We examined whether ethnic differences in COVID-19 mortality in England have continued since the vaccine rollout and to what extent differences in vaccination rates contributed to excess COVID-19 mortality after accounting for other risk factors. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of 28.8 million adults aged 30-100 years in England. Self-reported ethnicity was obtained from the 2011 Census. The outcome was death involving COVID-19 during the second (8 December 2020 to 12 June 2021) and third wave (13 June 2021 to 1 December 2021). We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for death involving COVID-19, sequentially adjusting for age, residence type, geographical factors, sociodemographic characteristics, pre-pandemic health, and vaccination status. RESULTS Age-adjusted HRs of death involving COVID-19 were elevated for most ethnic minority groups during both waves, particularly for groups with lowest vaccination rates (Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Black African, and Black Caribbean). HRs were attenuated after adjusting for geographical factors, sociodemographic characteristics, and pre-pandemic health. Further adjusting for vaccination status substantially reduced residual HRs for Black African, Black Caribbean, and Pakistani groups in the third wave. Fully adjusted HRs only remained elevated for the Bangladeshi group (men: 2.19 [95% CI 1.72-2.78]; women: 2.12 [1.58-2.86]) and Pakistani men (1.24 [1.06-1.46]). CONCLUSIONS Lower COVID-19 vaccination uptake in several ethnic minority groups may drive some of the differences in COVID-19 mortality compared to White British. Public health strategies to increase vaccination uptake in ethnic minority groups would help reduce inequalities in COVID-19 mortality, which have remained substantial since the start of the vaccination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Bosworth
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Tamanna Ahmed
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Tim Larsen
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Luke Lorenzi
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Jasper Morgan
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Raghib Ali
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Peter Goldblatt
- UCL Institute of Health Equity, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Nazrul Islam
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.,School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Kamlesh Khunti
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK
| | - Veena Raleigh
- The King's Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN, UK
| | - Daniel Ayoubkhani
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Neil Bannister
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Myer Glickman
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK
| | - Vahé Nafilyan
- Office for National Statistics, Health Analysis and Life Events, Newport, NP10 8XG, UK. .,Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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48
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Silva GDMD, Souza AAD, Castro MSMD, Miranda WDD, Jardim LL, Sousa RPD. Influence of socioeconomic inequality on the distribution of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Brazilian municipalities, 2020: an ecological study. EPIDEMIOLOGIA E SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE 2023; 32:e2022303. [PMID: 36790266 PMCID: PMC9926519 DOI: 10.1590/s2237-96222023000100021] [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] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to analyze the influence of socioeconomic inequality on COVID-19 distribution in larger Brazilian municipalities, controlling for effect of hospital infrastructure, comorbidities and other variables. METHODS this was an ecological study of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in 2020; outcome data were obtained from the Ministry of Health; incidence ratios were estimated using a generalized linear model. RESULTS we identified 291,073 hospitalizations and 139,953 deaths; we found higher mortality rates in municipalities with a higher proportion of non-White people (95%CI 1.01;1.16) and with more households with more than two people per room (95%CI 1.01;1.13); presence of sewerage systems was protective for both outcomes (hospitalizations: 95%CI 0.87;0.99 - deaths: 95%CI 0.90;0.99), while a higher proportion of the population in subnormal housing clusters was a risk factor (hospitalizations: 95%CI 1.01;1.16 - deaths: 95%CI 1.09;1.21), with this variable interacting with the proportion of people receiving Emergency Aid (hospitalizations: 95%CI 0.88;1.00 - deaths: 95%CI 0.89;0.98). CONCLUSION socioeconomic conditions affected illness and death due to COVID-19 in Brazil.
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Chronic pain and COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality: a UK Biobank cohort study. Pain 2023; 164:84-90. [PMID: 35452027 PMCID: PMC9756431 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The risk of COVID-19 in those with chronic pain is unknown. We investigated whether self-reported chronic pain was associated with COVID-19 hospitalisation or mortality. UK Biobank recruited 502,624 participants aged 37 to 73 years between 2006 and 2010. Baseline exposure data, including chronic pain (>3 months, in at least 1 of 7 prespecified body sites) and chronic widespread pain (>3 months, all over body), were linked to COVID-19 hospitalisations or mortality. Univariable or multivariable Poisson regression analyses were performed on the association between chronic pain and COVID-19 hospitalisation and Cox regression analyses of the associations with COVID-19 mortality. Multivariable analyses adjusted incrementally for sociodemographic confounders, then lifestyle risk factors, and finally long-term condition count. Of 441,403 UK Biobank participants with complete data, 3180 (0.7%) were hospitalised for COVID-19 and 1040 (0.2%) died from COVID-19. Chronic pain was associated with hospital admission for COVID-19 even after adjustment for all covariates (incidence rate ratio 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.24; P < 0.001), as was chronic widespread pain (incidence rate ratio 1.33; 95% CI 1.06-1.66; P = 0.012). There was clear evidence of a dose-response relationship with number of pain sites (fully adjusted global P -value < 0.001). After adjustment for all covariates, there was no association between chronic pain (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.89-1.15; P = 0.834) but attenuated association with chronic widespread pain (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04-2.16, P -value = 0.032) and COVID-19 mortality. Chronic pain is associated with higher risk of hospitalisation for COVID-19, but the association with mortality is unclear. Future research is required to investigate these findings further and determine whether pain is associated with long COVID.
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50
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Wing K, Grint DJ, Mathur R, Gibbs HP, Hickman G, Nightingale E, Schultze A, Forbes H, Nafilyan V, Bhaskaran K, Williamson E, House T, Pellis L, Herrett E, Gautam N, Curtis HJ, Rentsch CT, Wong AYS, MacKenna B, Mehrkar A, Bacon S, Douglas IJ, Evans SJW, Tomlinson L, Goldacre B, Eggo RM. Association between household composition and severe COVID-19 outcomes in older people by ethnicity: an observational cohort study using the OpenSAFELY platform. Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:1745-1760. [PMID: 35962974 PMCID: PMC9384728 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnic differences in the risk of severe COVID-19 may be linked to household composition. We quantified the association between household composition and risk of severe COVID-19 by ethnicity for older individuals. METHODS With the approval of NHS England, we analysed ethnic differences in the association between household composition and severe COVID-19 in people aged 67 or over in England. We defined households by number of age-based generations living together, and used multivariable Cox regression stratified by location and wave of the pandemic and accounted for age, sex, comorbidities, smoking, obesity, housing density and deprivation. We included 2 692 223 people over 67 years in Wave 1 (1 February 2020-31 August 2020) and 2 731 427 in Wave 2 (1 September 2020-31 January 2021). RESULTS Multigenerational living was associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 for White and South Asian older people in both waves [e.g. Wave 2, 67+ living with three other generations vs 67+-year-olds only: White hazard ratio (HR) 1.61 95% CI 1.38-1.87, South Asian HR 1.76 95% CI 1.48-2.10], with a trend for increased risks of severe COVID-19 with increasing generations in Wave 2. There was also an increased risk of severe COVID-19 in Wave 1 associated with living alone for White (HR 1.35 95% CI 1.30-1.41), South Asian (HR 1.47 95% CI 1.18-1.84) and Other (HR 1.72 95% CI 0.99-2.97) ethnicities, an effect that persisted for White older people in Wave 2. CONCLUSIONS Both multigenerational living and living alone were associated with severe COVID-19 in older adults. Older South Asian people are over-represented within multigenerational households in England, especially in the most deprived settings, whereas a substantial proportion of White older people live alone. The number of generations in a household, number of occupants, ethnicity and deprivation status are important considerations in the continued roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination and targeting of interventions for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Wing
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Daniel J Grint
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rohini Mathur
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hamish P Gibbs
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK
| | - George Hickman
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Nightingale
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anna Schultze
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Harriet Forbes
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Vahé Nafilyan
- Health Modelling Hub, Office of National Statistics, Newport, UK
| | - Krishnan Bhaskaran
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Williamson
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Thomas House
- Department of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lorenzo Pellis
- Department of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Emily Herrett
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nileesa Gautam
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Aetion Inc, Boston, USA
| | - Helen J Curtis
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher T Rentsch
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angel Y S Wong
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Brian MacKenna
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Amir Mehrkar
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Seb Bacon
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Ian J Douglas
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen J W Evans
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Laurie Tomlinson
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ben Goldacre
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Rosalind M Eggo
- The DataLab, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
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