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Karami N, Barani S, Fani M, Meri S, Shafiei R, Kalantar K. The effects of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on susceptibility to severe COVID-19 in the Iranian population. BMC Immunol 2024; 25:38. [PMID: 38943065 PMCID: PMC11212229 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-024-00631-1] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variations in the innate and adaptive immune response systems are linked to variations in the severity of COVID-19. Natural killer cell (NK) function is regulated by sophisticated receptor system including Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. We aimed to investigate the impact of possessing certain KIR genes and genotypes on COVID19 severity in Iranians. KIR genotyping was performed on 394 age/sex matched Iranians with no underlying conditions who developed mild and severe COVID- 19. The presence and/or absence of 11 KIR genes were determined using the PCR with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). RESULTS Patients with mild symptoms had higher frequency ofKIR2DS1 (p = 0.004) and KIR2DS2 (p = 0.017) genes compared to those with severe disease. While KIR3DL3 and deleted variant of KIR2DS4 occurred more frequently in patients who developed a severe form of the disease. In this study, a significant increase of and B haplotype was observed in the Mild group compared to the Severe group (respectively, p = 0.002 and p = 0.02). Also, the prevalence of haplotype A was significantly higher in the Severe group than in the Mild group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the KIR2DS1, KIR2DS, and B haplotype maybe have a protective effect against COVID-19 severity. The results also suggest the inhibitory gene KIR2DL3 and haplotype A are risk factors for the severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Karami
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran
| | - Shaghik Barani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mona Fani
- Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Bacteriology & Immunology and Translational immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Reza Shafiei
- Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
| | - Kurosh Kalantar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran.
- Department of Bacteriology & Immunology and Translational immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Magwira CA, Nndwamato NP, Selabe G, Seheri ML. Lewis a-b- histo-blood group antigen phenotype is predictive of severe COVID-19 in the black South African population group. Glycobiology 2024; 34:cwad090. [PMID: 37950443 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad090] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several risk factors have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections and severity of COVID-19 disease it causes. This study investigated whether variations in histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) expression can predispose individuals to SARS-CoV-2 infections and severity of the disease. Nasopharyngeal swabs, randomly selected from SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals, were tested for Lewis and H-type 1 HBGA phenotypes by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies specific to Lewis a, Lewis b and H type 1 antigens. The most common Lewis HBGA phenotype among all study participants was Lewis a-b+ (46%), followed by Lewis a-b- (24%), Lewis a+b- and Lewis a+b+ (15% each), while 55% of the study participants were H-type 1. Although SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals had a lower likelihood of having a Lewis a-b- phenotype compared to their SARS-CoV-2 positives counterparts (OR: 0.53, 95% C.I: 0.255-1.113), it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.055). The frequency of Lewis a+b+, Lewis a+B-, Lewis a-b+, H type 1 positive and H type 1 negative were consistent between SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals. When stratified according to severity of the disease, individuals with Lewis a+b- phenotype had a higher likelihood of developing mild COVID-19 symptoms (OR: 3.27, 95% CI; 0.9604-11.1), but was not statistically significant (P = 0.055), while Lewis a-b- phenotype was predictive of severe COVID-19 symptoms (OR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.274-14.81), P = 0.016. In conclusion, individuals with Lewis a-b- phenotype were less likely to be infected by SARS-CoV-2, but when infected, they were at risk of severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliff A Magwira
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit (DPRU), Department of Medical Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Ndivho P Nndwamato
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit (DPRU), Department of Medical Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Gloria Selabe
- Hepatitis and HIV Research Unit, Department of Medical Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Mapaseka L Seheri
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit (DPRU), Department of Medical Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
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da Silva NS, de Araújo NK, Dos Santos KA, de Souza KSC, de Araújo JNG, Cruz MS, Parra EJ, Silbiger VN, Luchessi AD. Post-Covid condition and clinic characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a 2-year follow-up to Brazilian cases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13973. [PMID: 37633999 PMCID: PMC10460396 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40586-8] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Until January 2023, Brazil recorded 37 million COVID-19 cases despite the decrease in mortality due to mass vaccination efforts against COVID-19. The infection continues to challenge researchers and health professionals with the persistent symptoms and onset manifestations after the acute phase of the disease, namely Post-Covid Condition (PCC). Being one of the countries with the highest infection rate, Brazil must prepare for a growing number of patients with chronic health consequences of COVID-19. Longitudinal studies that follow patients over extended periods are crucial in understanding the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including potential health consequences and the effects on quality of life. We describe the clinical profile of a cohort of COVID-19 patients infected during the first year of the pandemic in Brazil and a follow-up after two years to investigate the health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil featured extensive drug misuse, notably the ineffective COVID kit comprised of ivermectin, antimalarials and azithromycin, and elevated in-hospital mortality. In the second phase of the study, Post-Covid Condition was reported by symptomatic COVID-19 subjects across different severity levels two years after infection. Long haulers are more likely to be women, previously hospitalized, and reported a range of symptoms from muscle pain to cognitive deficit. Our longitudinal study is essential to inform public health authorities to develop strategies and policies to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its impacts on society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Sousa da Silva
- Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Nathália Kelly de Araújo
- Graduate Program of Health and Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal Institute of Rondônia, Guajará-Mirim, Brazil
| | - Katiusse Alves Dos Santos
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Jéssica Nayara Góes de Araújo
- Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Marina Sampaio Cruz
- Graduate Program of Health and Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Esteban J Parra
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Vivian Nogueira Silbiger
- Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
- Department of Clinical and Toxicology Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, 384, Natal, RN, 59012-570, Brazil.
| | - André Ducati Luchessi
- Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Health and Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Department of Clinical and Toxicology Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, 384, Natal, RN, 59012-570, Brazil
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Klein A, Bastard M, Hemat H, Singh S, Muniz B, Manangama G, Alayyan A, Tamanna AH, Barakzaie B, Popal N, Kakar MAZ, Poulet E, Finger F. Factors associated with adverse outcomes among patients hospitalized at a COVID-19 treatment center in Herat, Afghanistan. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001687. [PMID: 37619213 PMCID: PMC10449473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Though many studies on COVID have been published to date, data on COVID-19 epidemiology, symptoms, risk factors and severity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICS), such as Afghanistan are sparse. To describe clinical characteristics, severity, and outcomes of patients hospitalized in the MSF COVID-19 treatment center (CTC) in Herat, Afghanistan and to assess risk factors associated with severe outcomes. 1113 patients were included in this observational study between June 2020 and April 2022. Descriptive analysis was performed on clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes of patients. Univariate description by Cox regression to identify risk factors for an adverse outcome was performed. Adverse outcome was defined as death or transfer to a level 3 intensive care located at another health facility. Finally, factors identified were included in a multivariate Cox survival analysis. A total of 165 patients (14.8%) suffered from a severe disease course, with a median time of 6 days (interquartile range: 2-11 days) from admission to adverse outcome. In our multivariate model, we identified male gender, age over 50, high O2 flow administered during admission, lymphopenia, anemia and O2 saturation < = 93% during the first three days of admission as predictors for a severe disease course (p<0.05). Our analysis concluded in a relatively low rate of adverse outcomes of 14.8%. This is possibly related to the fact that the resources at an MSF-led facility are higher, in terms of human resources as well as supply of drugs and biomedical equipment, including oxygen therapy devices, compared to local hospitals. Predictors for severe disease outcomes were found to be comparable to other settings.
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Hanafi I, Alzamel L, Alnabelsi O, Sallam S, Almousa S. Lessons learnt from the first wave of COVID-19 in Damascus, Syria: a multicentre retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065280. [PMID: 37474170 PMCID: PMC10360434 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The decade-long Syrian war led to fragile health infrastructures lacking in personal and physical resources. The public health of the Syrian population was, therefore, vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, which devastated even well-resourced healthcare systems. Nevertheless, the officially reported incidence and fatality rates were significantly lower than the forecasted numbers. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. SETTING The four main responding hospitals in Damascus, which received most of the cases during the first pandemic wave in Syria (i.e., June-August 2020). PARTICIPANTS One thousand one hundred eighty-four patients who were managed as inpatient COVID-19 cases. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The records of hospitalised patients were screened for clinical history, vital signs, diagnosis modality, major interventions and status at discharge. RESULTS The diagnostic and therapeutic preparedness for COVID-19 was significantly heterogeneous among the different centres and depleted rapidly after the arrival of the first wave. Only 32% of the patients were diagnosed based on positive reverse transcription-PCR tests. Five hundred twenty-six patients had an indication for intensive care unit admission, but only 82% of them received it. Two hundred fifty-seven patients needed mechanical ventilation, but ventilators were not available to 14% of them, all of whom died. Overall mortality during hospitalisation reached 46% and no significant difference was found in fatality between those who received and did not receive these care options. CONCLUSIONS The Syrian healthcare system expressed minor resilience in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, as its assets vanished swiftly with a limited number of cases. This forced physicians to reserve resources (e.g., ventilators) for the most severe cases, which led to poor outcomes of in-hospital management and limited the admission capacity for milder cases. The overwhelmed system additionally suffered from constrained coordination, suboptimal allocation of the accessible resources and a severe inability to informatively report on the catastrophic pandemic course in Syria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahem Hanafi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Lyana Alzamel
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Ola Alnabelsi
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Sondos Sallam
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Damascus Hospital, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Samaher Almousa
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tishreen Military Hospital, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
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Antoun I, Alkhayer A, Aboud Y, Alkhayer H, Kotb A, Alkhayer A, Barker J, Somani R, Ng GA. COVID-19 inpatient treatments and outcomes during the conflict in Syria: an observational cohort study. IJID REGIONS 2023; 7:72-76. [PMID: 36593893 PMCID: PMC9797414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries undergoing conflict have faced difficulties in mounting an effective health response. This observational cohort study describes the treatments and outcomes for inpatients with COVID-19 in the Syrian city of Latakia. Design and methods A single-centre observational cohort study was conducted at Tishreen University Hospital, involving all patients over 18 admitted between October 1 and December 31, 2021 with a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Clinical features, investigations, treatments, and outcomes were reported. Results In total, 149 patients fitted the study criteria. Only one patient was double vaccinated against COVID-19. Oxygen supplementation was required in 87% (n = 130) of participants. Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 4% (n = 5). Therapeutic anticoagulation was administered in 97.3% (n = 144). Intravenous dexamethasone was received by 97.3% (n = 145) of participants. All patients received empiric antibiotic treatment. In-hospital mortality was 48.4% (n = 72), while only 40.9% (n = 61) were discharged during the study period. Conclusion The pandemic has placed a compromised Syrian healthcare system under more significant strain. This requires urgent international relief efforts from health agencies in order to aid the pandemic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Antoun
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Yalaa Aboud
- Faculty of Medicine, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria
| | - Hiba Alkhayer
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tishreen University Hospital, Latakia, Syria
| | - Ahmed Kotb
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Amer Alkhayer
- Faculty of Medicine, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria
| | - Joseph Barker
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Research Biomedical Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Riyaz Somani
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - G. Andre Ng
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Research Biomedical Centre, Leicester, UK
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Yassin A, Al-Mistarehi AH, Qarqash AA, Soudah O, Karasneh RA, Al-Azzam S, Khasawneh AG, El-Salem K, Kheirallah KA, Khassawneh BY. Trends in Insomnia, Burnout, and Functional Impairment among Health Care Providers over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2022; 18:e174501792206200. [PMID: 37274859 PMCID: PMC10156054 DOI: 10.2174/17450179-v18-e2206200] [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: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the psychological well-being and quality of life of health care providers (HCPs). Objectives This study assessed the trends in prevalence and predictors of insomnia, burnout, and functional impairment among HCPs over the first year of the pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted one month after the pandemic's onset (onset group) and a year later (one-year group). The demographic features of participants were collected. Insomnia, burnout, and functional impairment were assessed using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Mini-Z survey, and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), respectively. Results The onset group included 211 HCPs (mean (SD) age 34.7 (9.3) years and 73% men), while 212 HCPs participated in the one-year survey (mean (SD) age 35.9 (10.5) years and 69% men). High prevalence estimates were found in both onset and one-year groups of symptoms of insomnia (52% vs. 49%), of diagnosis of clinical insomnia (15% vs. 18%), with a high mean ISI score (8.4 vs. 8.7), but with no significant difference between the onset and one-year groups. Risk factors for clinical insomnia included age in both groups, lower income and contact level with COVID-19 patients/samples in the onset group, and lower Mini-Z scores and higher SDS scores in the one-year group. Approximately one-third of respondents reported at least one or more burnout symptoms, with a higher percentage in the one-year group (35.4%) than in the onset group (24.2%) (p=0.012). Younger age, lower monthly income, and higher ISI and SDS scores were risk factors for burnout in both groups. Greater perceived changes in social life were associated with burnout in the onset group. In contrast, higher weekly working hours, worse participants' evaluation of their institution's preparation, and more changes in workload were risk factors for burnout in the one-year group. The SDS score and its subscales scores were higher in the one-year group than in the onset group. Changes in workload and social life predicted higher SDS scores among both groups. Living with older people predicted higher SDS scores among the onset group, while contact level and estimated number of COVID-19 patients that participants engaged in during caring predicted higher SDS scores among the one-year group. ISI scores were significantly correlated with the Mini-Z scores and SDS scores in both groups, while the Mini-Z and SDS scores were significantly correlated only in the one-year group. Conclusion This study demonstrated high rates of insomnia, burnout, and functional impairment among HCPs during the pandemic. It reveals a significant rise in job burnout and functional impairment of HCPs overtime during the pandemic. Furthermore, high-risk subgroups are also highlighted for whom comprehensive psychosocial and occupational interventions might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Yassin
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi
- Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Aref A. Qarqash
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ola Soudah
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Reema A. Karasneh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Sayer Al-Azzam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Aws G. Khasawneh
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Khalid El-Salem
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Khalid A. Kheirallah
- Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Basheer Y. Khassawneh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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Yassin A, Al-Mistarehi AH, El-Salem K, Karasneh RA, Al-Azzam S, Qarqash AA, Khasawneh AG, Zein Alaabdin AM, Soudah O. Prevalence Estimates and Risk Factors of Anxiety among Healthcare Workers in Jordan over One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052615. [PMID: 35270333 PMCID: PMC8909996 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the changes in prevalence estimates, severity, and risk factors of anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs) over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was distributed among HCWs using snowball sampling, collecting their socio-demographics, occupation, and anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. It was distributed one month after the pandemic’s onset in Jordan between 15 and 30 April 2020 (onset group) and after one year between 15 and 30 March 2021 (one-year group). A total of 422 HCWs were included (211 in each group). The one-year group reported a higher risk of GAD (30.8% vs. 16.6%; p = 0.001), a higher mean (SD) GAD-7 score (7.94 (5.29) vs. 6.15 (4.15); p < 0.001), and more severe symptoms (p = 0.003). Univariate analyses showed that participants who were younger, women, unmarried, had lower monthly incomes, underwent testing for COVID-19, had higher contact with COVID-19 patients, did not receive special education, and were unsatisfied with the institutional COVID-19 preparedness scored higher on the GAD-7 scale and had more severe symptoms than their counterparts in both groups. Unlike the onset group, occupation as a physician, COVID-19 infection history, and perception of remarkable changes in work were associated with higher anxiety scores and severity among the one-year group. The COVID-19 vaccine was a relative protective action. Logistic regression analyses showed that the female gender was a risk factor for developing GAD at the pandemic onset, while poor satisfaction with institutional preparedness was a significant GAD risk factor in the one-year group. Low monthly income and lack of special education were the shared risk factors for GAD in both groups. This study reveals a significant rise in anxiety among HCWs over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic and shows the vulnerable sub-groups who likely need psychological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Yassin
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +962-7-9731-7236
| | - Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi
- Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (A.-H.A.-M.); (A.M.Z.A.)
| | - Khalid El-Salem
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Reema A. Karasneh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan; (R.A.K.); (O.S.)
| | - Sayer Al-Azzam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Aref A. Qarqash
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Aws G. Khasawneh
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Anas M. Zein Alaabdin
- Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (A.-H.A.-M.); (A.M.Z.A.)
| | - Ola Soudah
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan; (R.A.K.); (O.S.)
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