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Pan J, Villalan AK, Ni G, Wu R, Sui S, Wu X, Wang X. Assessing eco-geographic influences on COVID-19 transmission: a global analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11728. [PMID: 38777817 PMCID: PMC11111805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62300-y] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has been massively transmitted for almost 3 years, and its multiple variants have caused serious health problems and an economic crisis. Our goal was to identify the influencing factors that reduce the threshold of disease transmission and to analyze the epidemiological patterns of COVID-19. This study served as an early assessment of the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 using the MaxEnt species distribution algorithm using the maximum entropy model. The transmission of COVID-19 was evaluated based on human factors and environmental variables, including climate, terrain and vegetation, along with COVID-19 daily confirmed case location data. The results of the SDM model indicate that population density was the major factor influencing the spread of COVID-19. Altitude, land cover and climatic factor showed low impact. We identified a set of practical, high-resolution, multi-factor-based maximum entropy ecological niche risk prediction systems to assess the transmission risk of the COVID-19 epidemic globally. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of various factors influencing the transmission of COVID-19, incorporating both human and environmental variables. These findings emphasize the role of different types of influencing variables in disease transmission, which could have implications for global health regulations and preparedness strategies for future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Pan
- Key Laboratory for Wildlife Diseases and Bio-Security Management of Heilongjiang Province, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
| | - Arivizhivendhan Kannan Villalan
- Key Laboratory for Wildlife Diseases and Bio-Security Management of Heilongjiang Province, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanying Ni
- HaiXi Animal Disease Control Center, Qinghai Province, Delingha, 817099, People's Republic of China
| | - Renna Wu
- HaiXi Animal Disease Control Center, Qinghai Province, Delingha, 817099, People's Republic of China
| | - ShiFeng Sui
- Zhaoyuan Forest Resources Monitoring and Protection Service Center, Shandong Province, Zhaoyuan, 265400, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Shandong Province, Qingdao, 266032, People's Republic of China.
| | - XiaoLong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Wildlife Diseases and Bio-Security Management of Heilongjiang Province, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China.
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Vandelli V, Palandri L, Coratza P, Rizzi C, Ghinoi A, Righi E, Soldati M. Conditioning factors in the spreading of Covid-19 - Does geography matter? Heliyon 2024; 10:e25810. [PMID: 38356610 PMCID: PMC10865316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25810] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
There is evidence in literature that the spread of COVID-19 can be influenced by various geographic factors, including territorial features, climate, population density, socioeconomic conditions, and mobility. The objective of the paper is to provide an updated literature review on geographical studies analysing the factors which influenced COVID-19 spreading. This literature review took into account not only the geographical aspects but also the COVID-19-related outcomes (infections and deaths) allowing to discern the potential influencing role of the geographic factors per type of outcome. A total of 112 scientific articles were selected, reviewed and categorized according to subject area, aim, country/region of study, considered geographic and COVID-19 variables, spatial and temporal units of analysis, methodologies, and main findings. Our literature review showed that territorial features may have played a role in determining the uneven geography of COVID-19; for instance, a certain agreement was found regarding the direct relationship between urbanization degree and COVID-19 infections. For what concerns climatic factors, temperature was the variable that correlated the best with COVID-19 infections. Together with climatic factors, socio-demographic ones were extensively taken into account. Most of the analysed studies agreed that population density and human mobility had a significant and direct relationship with COVID-19 infections and deaths. The analysis of the different approaches used to investigate the role of geographic factors in the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the significance/representativeness of the outputs is influenced by the scale considered due to the great spatial variability of geographic aspects. In fact, a more robust and significant association between geographic factors and COVID-19 was found by studies conducted at subnational or local scale rather than at country scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Vandelli
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Palandri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coratza
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristiana Rizzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ghinoi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Righi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Soldati
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
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Louis A, Pröpper C, Savina Y, Tanne C, Duperrex G, Robach P, Zellner P, Doutreleau S, Boulet JM, Frey A, Pillard F, Pistea C, Poussel M, Thuet T, Richalet JP, Lecoq-Jammes F. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Response to Hypoxia. High Alt Med Biol 2023; 24:321-328. [PMID: 37843910 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0156] [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: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Louis, Alexandre, Charlotte Pröpper, Yann Savina, Corentin Tanne, Guy Duperrex, Paul Robach, Pascal Zellner, Stéphane Doutreleau, Jean-Michel Boulet, Alain Frey, Fabien Pillard, Cristina Pistea, Mathias Poussel, Thomas Thuet, Jean-Paul Richalet, and François Lecoq-Jammes. The impact of COVID-19 on the response to hypoxia. High Alt Med Biol. 24:321-328, 2023. Background: Severe high-altitude illness (SHAI) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while differing in most aspects of pathophysiology, both involve respiratory capacity. We examined the long-term impact of COVID-19 on response to hypoxia in individuals free of symptoms but having tested positive during the pandemic. The need for recommendations for such individuals planning a stay at high altitude are discussed. Methods: This multicenter study recruited participants from the multiSHAI cohort, all of whom had previously undergone a hypoxic exercise test. These participants were classified into two groups depending on whether they had since suffered mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (COVID+) or not (Control) and then asked to retake the test. Primary outcomes were: desaturation induced by hypoxia at exercise (ΔSpE), hypoxic cardiac response at exercise, hypoxic ventilatory response at exercise, and SHAI risk score. Results: A total of 68 participants retook the test, 36 classified in the COVID+ group. Analyses of primary outcomes showed no significant differences between groups. However, the COVID+ group showed significantly increased ventilation (VE) parameters during both hypoxic (p = 0.003) and normoxic exercise (p = 0.007). However, only the VE/oxygen consumption relationship during hypoxic exercise was significantly different. Conclusion: This study demonstrates no negative impact of COVID-19 on response to hypoxia as evaluated by the Richalet test. Clinical Trial Registration: NTC number: NCT05167357.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Louis
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
| | | | - Yann Savina
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
- UPR-4278 Laboratoire de Physiologie Expérimentale Cardiovasculaire (LaPEC)-Avignon Université, Avignon, France
| | - Corentin Tanne
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
- Pediatric Service, Metropole Savoie Hospital Center, Chambéry, France
| | - Guy Duperrex
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
| | - Paul Robach
- National School for Mountain Sports, Site of the National School for Skiing and Mountaineering (ENSA), Chamonix, France
| | - Pascal Zellner
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
| | | | | | - Alain Frey
- Sports Medicine Department, CHI Poissy/St Germain, Poissy, France
| | - Fabien Pillard
- Sports Medicine Department, University Sports Clinic, Pierre Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Cristina Pistea
- Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress, and Muscle Protection, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Physiology and Functional Exploration Service, University Hospital of Strasbourg, CHU, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathias Poussel
- Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Thomas Thuet
- Sports Medicine Department, CHI Poissy/St Germain, Poissy, France
| | - Jean-Paul Richalet
- INSERM U1272, University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France
- Medical Pole, INSEP, Paris, France
| | - François Lecoq-Jammes
- IFREMMONT (Training and Research Institute of Mountain Medicine), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
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Vizcardo DA, R. Araníbar J, Munayco Escate CV. High altitudes, population density, and poverty: Unraveling the complexities of COVID-19 in Peru during the years 2020-2022. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102423. [PMID: 37753378 PMCID: PMC10518345 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102423] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several factors related to hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality from COVID-19 have been identified. However, limited exploration has been done on geographic and socioeconomic factors that could significantly impact these outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to determine whether altitude, population density, and percentage of population in total poverty are associated with COVID-19 incidence per 1000 inhabitants and COVID-19 case-fatality rate in Peru, from 2020 to 2022. Methods This study utilized a multiple group ecological design and relied on secondary databases containing daily records of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths due to COVID-19. An epidemiological analysis was performed, subsequently processed using a random effects model. Results As of August 2022, Peru had recorded a total of 3,838,028 COVID-19 positive cases and 215,023 deaths due to COVID-19. Our analysis revealed a statistically significant negative association between altitude and COVID-19 incidence (aBETA: -0.004; Standard Error: 0.001; p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed a positive association between population density and incidence (aBETA: 0.006; Standard Error: 0.001; p < 0.05). However, we found no significant association between the percentage of population in total poverty and COVID-19 incidence. Conclusion Our study found that an increase in altitude was associated with a decrease in COVID-19 incidence, while an increase in population density was associated with an increase in COVID-19 incidence. High altitude, population density and percentage of population in total poverty does not change case-fatality rate due to COVID-19.
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Rodriguez Lima DR, Rubio Ramos C, Yepes Velasco AF, Gómez Cortes LA, Pinilla Rojas DI, Pinzón Rondón ÁM, Ruíz Sternberg ÁM. Prediction model for in-hospital mortality in patients at high altitudes with ARDS due to COVID-19. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293476. [PMID: 37883460 PMCID: PMC10602283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293476] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) includes the ratio of pressure arterial oxygen and inspired oxygen fraction (P/F) ≤ 300, which is often adjusted in locations more than 1,000 meters above sea level (masl) due to hypobaric hypoxemia. The main objective of this study was to develop a prediction model for in-hospital mortality among patients with ARDS due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (C-ARDS) at 2,600 masl with easily available variables at patient admission and to compare its discrimination capacity with a second model using the P/F adjusted for this high altitude. METHODS This study was an analysis of data from patients with C-ARDS treated between March 2020 and July 2021 in a university hospital located in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, at 2,600 masl. Demographic and laboratory data were extracted from electronic records. For the prediction model, univariate analyses were performed to screen variables with p <0.25. Then, these variables were automatically selected with a backward stepwise approach with a significance level of 0.1. The interaction terms and fractional polynomials were also examined in the final model. Multiple imputation procedures and bootstraps were used to obtain the coefficients with the best external validation. In addition, total adjustment of the model and logistic regression diagnostics were performed. The same methodology was used to develop a second model with the P/F adjusted for altitude. Finally, the areas under the curve (AUCs) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the two models were compared. RESULTS A total of 2,210 subjects were included in the final analysis. The final model included 11 variables without interaction terms or nonlinear functions. The coefficients are presented excluding influential observations. The final equation for the model fit was g(x) = age(0.04819)+weight(0.00653)+height(-0.01856)+haemoglobin(-0.0916)+platelet count(-0.003614)+ creatinine(0.0958)+lactate dehydrogenase(0.001589)+sodium(-0.02298)+potassium(0.1574)+systolic pressure(-0.00308)+if moderate ARDS(0.628)+if severe ARDS(1.379), and the probability of in-hospital death was p (x) = e g (x)/(1+ e g (x)). The AUC of the ROC curve was 0.7601 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0, 78). The second model with the adjusted P/F presented an AUC of 0.754 (95% CI 0.73-0.77). No statistically significant difference was found between the AUC curves (p value = 0.6795). CONCLUSION This study presents a prediction model for patients with C-ARDS at 2,600 masl with easily available admission variables for early stratification of in-hospital mortality risk. Adjusting the P/F for 2,600 masl did not improve the predictive capacity of the model. We do not recommend adjusting the P/F for altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rene Rodriguez Lima
- Critical and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario Mayor‐Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cristhian Rubio Ramos
- Critical and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario Mayor‐Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Ángela María Pinzón Rondón
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ángela María Ruíz Sternberg
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Small E, Phillips C, Bunzel W, Cleaver L, Joshi N, Gardner L, Maharjan R, Marvel J. Prior Ambulatory Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019 Does Not Increase Risk of Acute Mountain Sickness. High Alt Med Biol 2023; 24:201-208. [PMID: 37306966 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0150] [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: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Small, Elan, Caleb Phillips, William Bunzel, Lakota Cleaver, Nishant Joshi, Laurel Gardner, Rony Maharjan, and James Marvel. Prior ambulatory mild coronavirus disease 2019 does not increase risk of acute mountain sickness. High Alt Med Biol. 24:201-208, 2023. Background: Given its long-term morbidity, understanding how prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect acute mountain sickness (AMS) susceptibility is important for preascent risk stratification. The objective of this study was to examine if prior COVID-19 impacts risk of AMS. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in Lobuje (4,940 m) and Manang (3,519 m), Nepal, from April to May 2022. AMS was defined by the 2018 Lake Louise Questionnaire criteria. COVID-19 severity was defined using the World Health Organization-developed criteria. Results: In the Lobuje cohort of 2,027, 46.2% of surveyed individuals reported history of COVID-19, with 25.7% AMS point-prevalence. There was no significant relationship between prior ambulatory mild COVID-19 and AMS (p = 0.6) or moderate AMS (p = 1.0). In the Manang cohort of 908, 42.8% reported history of COVID-19, with 14.7% AMS point-prevalence. There was no significant relationship between prior ambulatory mild COVID-19 and AMS (p = 0.3) or moderate AMS (p = 0.4). Average months since COVID-19 was 7.4 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-10) for Lobuje, 6.2 (IQR 3-6) for Manang. Both cohorts rarely exhibited moderate COVID-19 history. Conclusions: Prior ambulatory mild COVID-19 was not associated with increased risk of AMS and should not preclude high-altitude travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan Small
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Caleb Phillips
- Department of Computational Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - William Bunzel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco Fresno, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Lakota Cleaver
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nishant Joshi
- Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Laurel Gardner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Rony Maharjan
- Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - James Marvel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Baquerizo-Sedano L, Goni L, Sayón-Orea C, González-Muniesa P. A U-shaped protection of altitude against mortality and infection of COVID-19 in Peru: an ecological study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1054. [PMID: 37264338 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world in multiple ways and has been a challenge for the health systems of each country. From the beginning, risk factors for the severity and mortality of the disease were considered, as the spread of the virus was related to the living conditions of each population. METHODS In this ecological study we have evaluated the role of geography, precisely the altitude above sea level in the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in Peru. Incidence and mortality data were taken from the open-access database of the government of Peru until March 2021. COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 mortality were treated as cases/density population and 1000 x cases/inhabitants while altitude was treated as continuous and as a categorical variable divided in 7 categories. The relationship between COVID-19 cases or deaths for COVID-19 and altitude as continuous variable was determined using Spearman correlation test. Meanwhile when altitude was considered as a categorical variable, Poisson regression or negative binomial analyses were applied. RESULTS A significant inverse correlation was found between COVID-19 cases by population density and altitude (r=-0.37 p < 0.001). By altitude categories, the lowest risk for infection was observed between 3,000 and 3,500 m (IRR 0.08; 95% CI 0.05,0.12). Moreover, we found an inverse correlation between altitude and COVID-19 mortality (r=-0.39 p < 0.001). Also, the lowest risk for mortality was observed between 3,000 and 3,500 m (IRR 0.12; 95%CI 0.08; 0.18). Similar results were found when analyses were adjusted for inhabitants and stratified by sex. CONCLUSION This study reports an inverse relationship between COVID-19 incidence and mortality with respect to the altitude of residence, particularly, a u-shaped protection is shown, with a highest benefit between 3000 and 3500 m. The possibility of using hypoxia as an alternative treatment requires more complex studies that should allow knowing the physiological and environmental mechanisms of the protective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Baquerizo-Sedano
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Department of Food Sciences and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - L Goni
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IDISNA - Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - C Sayón-Orea
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IDISNA - Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Public Health Institute, Pamplona, Spain
| | - P González-Muniesa
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Department of Food Sciences and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- IDISNA - Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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Gochicoa-Rangel L, Arce SC, Aguirre-Franco C, Madrid-Mejía W, Gutiérrez-Clavería M, Noriega-Aguirre L, Schonffeldt-Guerrero P, Acuña-Izcaray A, Cortés-Telles A, Martínez-Valdeavellano L, Hernández-Rocha FI, Ceballos-Zúñiga O, Del Rio Hidalgo R, Sánchez S, Meneses-Tamayo E, Chérrez-Ojeda I. Effect of Altitude on Respiratory Functional Status in COVID-19 Survivors: Results from a Latin American Cohort-FIRCOV. High Alt Med Biol 2023; 24:37-48. [PMID: 36757307 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0062] [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: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Laura Gochicoa-Rangel, Santiago C. Arce, Carlos Aguirre-Franco, Wilmer Madrid-Mejía, Mónica Gutiérrez-Clavería, Lorena Noriega-Aguirre, Patricia Schonffeldt-Guerrero, Agustín Acuña-Izcaray, Arturo Cortés-Telles, Luisa Martínez-Valdeavellano, Federico Isaac Hernández-Rocha, Omar Ceballos-Zúñiga, Rodrigo Del Rio Hidalgo, Sonia Sánchez, Erika Meneses-Tamayo, and Iván Chérrez-Ojeda; and on Behalf of the Respiratory Physiology Project in COVID-19 (FIRCOV). Effect of altitude on respiratory functional status in COVID-19 survivors: results from a Latin American Cohort-FIRCOV. High Alt Med Biol 24:37-48, 2023. Persistent symptoms and lung function abnormalities are common in COVID-19 survivors. Objectives: To determine the effect of altitude and other independent variables on respiratory function in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional cohort study done at 13 medical centers in Latin America located at different altitudes above sea level. COVID-19 survivors were invited to perform pulmonary function tests at least 3 weeks after diagnosis. Results: 1,368 participants (59% male) had mild (20%), moderate (59%), and severe (21%) disease. Restriction by spirometry was noted in 32%; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was low in 43.7%; and 22.2% walked less meters during the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). In multiple linear regression models, higher altitude was associated with better spirometry, DLCO and 6-MWT, but lower oxygen saturation at rest and during exercise. Men were 3 times more likely to have restriction and 5.7 times more likely to have a low DLCO. Those who had required mechanical ventilation had lower DLCO and walked less during the 6-MWT. Conclusions: Men were more likely to have lower lung function than women, even after correcting for disease severity and other factors. Patients living at a higher altitude were more likely to have better spirometric patterns and walked farther but had lower DLCO and oxygen saturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gochicoa-Rangel
- Departamento de Fisiología Respiratoria, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas," Ciudad de México, México
| | - Santiago C Arce
- Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Aguirre-Franco
- Servicio de Pruebas de Función Pulmonar, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Wilmer Madrid-Mejía
- Departamento de Fisiología Respiratoria, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas," Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Lorena Noriega-Aguirre
- Centro de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Respiratorias CEDITER, Cd. De Panamá, Panamá
| | | | - Agustín Acuña-Izcaray
- Servicio de Neumonología, Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad y Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Arturo Cortés-Telles
- Clínica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, HRAE de la Península de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | | | | | | | | | - Sonia Sánchez
- Centro de Estudios Respiratorios, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Erika Meneses-Tamayo
- Departamento de Fisiología Respiratoria, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas," Ciudad de México, México
| | - Iván Chérrez-Ojeda
- Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
- Respiralab Research Center, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Factors Associated with COVID-19 Death in a High-Altitude Peruvian Setting during the First 14 Months of the Pandemic: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in Hospitalized Patients. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8030133. [PMID: 36977134 PMCID: PMC10051565 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Risk factors for COVID-19 death in high-altitude populations have been scarcely described. This study aimed to describe risk factors for COVID-19 death in three referral hospitals located at 3399 m in Cusco, Peru, during the first 14 months of the pandemic. A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted. A random sample of ~50% (1225/2674) of adult hospitalized patients who died between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021 was identified. Of those, 977 individuals met the definition of death by COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive respiratory support (IRS), disease severity, comorbidities, and clinical manifestation at hospital admission were assessed as risk factors using Cox proportional-hazard models. In multivariable models adjusted by age, sex, and pandemic periods, critical disease (vs. moderate) was associated with a greater risk of death (aHR: 1.27; 95%CI: 1.14–1.142), whereas ICU admission (aHR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.27–0.56), IRS (aHR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.26–0.54), the ratio of oxygen saturation (ROX) index ≥ 5.3 (aHR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.80–0.94), and the ratio of SatO2/FiO2 ≥ 122.6 (aHR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.93–0.98) were associated with a lower risk of death. The risk factors described here may be useful in assisting decision making and resource allocation.
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Abbasi BA, Chanana N, Palmo T, Pasha Q. Disparities in COVID-19 incidence and fatality rates at high-altitude. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14473. [PMID: 36788813 PMCID: PMC9922493 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14473] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 has affected every demography disproportionately, including even the native highland populations. Hypobaric-hypoxic settings at high-altitude (HA, >2,500 masl) present an extreme environment that impacts the survival of permanent residents, possibly including SARS-CoV-2. Conflicting hypotheses have been presented for COVID-19 incidence and fatality at HA. Objectives To evaluate protection or risk against COVID-19 incidence and fatality in humans under hypobaric-hypoxic environment of high-altitude (>2,501 masl). Methods Global COVID-19 data of March 2020-21, employed from official websites of the Indian Government, John Hopkins University, and Worldometer were clustered into 6 altitude categories. Clinical cofactors and comorbidities data were evaluated with COVID-19 incidence and fatality. Extensive comparisons and correlations using several statistical tools estimated the risk and protection. Results Of relevance, data analyses revealed four distinct responses, namely, partial risk, total risk, partial protection, and total protection from COVID-19 at high-altitude indicating a mixed baggage and complexity of the infection. Surprisingly, it included the countries within the same geographic region. Moreover, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes correlated significantly with COVID-19 incidence and fatality rate (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Varied patterns of protection and risk against COVID-19 incidence and fatality were observed among the high-altitude populations. It is though premature to generalize COVID-19 effects on any particular demography without further extensive studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Ahmed Abbasi
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Delhi, India
| | - Neha Chanana
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Delhi, India
| | - Tsering Palmo
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Delhi, India
| | - Qadar Pasha
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Delhi, India,Institute of Hypoxia Research, New Delhi, India
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11
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Zila-Velasque JP, Grados-Espinoza P, Morán-Mariños C, Morales Pocco KO, Capcha-Jimenez US, Ortiz-Benique ZN. Adaptation and altitude sickness: A 40-year bibliometric analysis and collaborative networks. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1069212. [PMID: 36935697 PMCID: PMC10018125 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1069212] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We analyze the scientific production and collaboration networks of studies based on adaptation and altitude diseases in the period 1980-2020. Methods The publications were extracted from journals indexed in Scopus. The bibliometric analysis was used to analyze the scientific production, including the number of annual publications, the documents, and the characteristics of the publications. With the VOSviewer software, the analysis of collaborative networks, productivity of the countries, as well as the analysis of the co-occurrence of keywords were visualized. Results 15,240 documents were registered, of which 3,985 documents were analyzed. A significant trend was observed in the number of publications (R 2: 0.9847; P: < 0.001), with annual growth of 4.6%. The largest number of publications were original articles (77.8%), these published more frequently in the journal "Altitude Medicine and Biology". The largest number of countries were from Europe and Asia; however, the largest collaboration network was with the United States. Of the countries with high altitudes, China and Peru ranked first in scientific productivity. The research priorities were on the adaptation mechanism (37.1%), mainly anoxia and respiratory function. Acute mountain sickness (18.4%) and pulmonary edema (14.7%) were the most reported diseases. Of the top 10 institutions, "University of Colorado" and "Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia" contributed more than 100 publications. Conclusions Scientific production on adaptation and altitude illnesses continues to grow. The United States and United Kingdom present collaborative networks with high-altitude countries. The research is aimed at studying the mechanisms of adaptation to altitude and acute mountain sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Pierre Zila-Velasque
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación, Pasco, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, Pasco, Peru
- Unidad de Investigación en Bibliometría, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Pamela Grados-Espinoza
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación, Pasco, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, Pasco, Peru
| | - Cristian Morán-Mariños
- Unidad de Investigación en Bibliometría, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru
- Red de Eficacia Clinica y Sanitaria (REDECS), Lima, Peru
- *Correspondence: Cristian Morán-Mariños
| | - Kevin O. Morales Pocco
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación, Pasco, Peru
- Universidad Nacional del Altiplano Puno, Puno, Peru
- Asociación Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina – UNAP, Puno, Peru
| | - Uriel S. Capcha-Jimenez
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación, Pasco, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de San Fernando, Lima, Peru
| | - Zhamanda N. Ortiz-Benique
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación, Pasco, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín, Arequipa, Peru
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Mimicking Gene-Environment Interaction of Higher Altitude Dwellers by Intermittent Hypoxia Training: COVID-19 Preventive Strategies. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010006. [PMID: 36671699 PMCID: PMC9855005 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to protect against hypoxia pathogenesis in several investigations. It has also been utilized as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of COVID-19. COX inhibitors, which have previously been shown to be effective in treating previous viral and malarial infections are strong candidates for improving the COVID-19 therapeutic doctrine. However, another COX inhibitor, ibuprofen, is linked to an increase in the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which could increase virus susceptibility. Hence, inhibiting COX2 via therapeutics might not always be protective and we need to investigate the downstream molecules that may be involved in hypoxia environment adaptation. Research has discovered that people who are accustomed to reduced oxygen levels at altitude may be protected against the harmful effects of COVID-19. It is important to highlight that the study's conclusions only applied to those who regularly lived at high altitudes; they did not apply to those who occasionally moved to higher altitudes but still lived at lower altitudes. COVID-19 appears to be more dangerous to individuals residing at lower altitudes. The downstream molecules in the (COX2) pathway have been shown to adapt in high-altitude dwellers, which may partially explain why these individuals have a lower prevalence of COVID-19 infection. More research is needed, however, to directly address COX2 expression in people living at higher altitudes. It is possible to mimic the gene-environment interaction of higher altitude people by intermittent hypoxia training. COX-2 adaptation resulting from hypoxic exposure at altitude or intermittent hypoxia exercise training (IHT) seems to have an important therapeutic function. Swimming, a type of IHT, was found to lower COX-2 protein production, a pro-inflammatory milieu transcription factor, while increasing the anti-inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, Intermittent Hypoxia Preconditioning (IHP) has been demonstrated in numerous clinical investigations to enhance patients' cardiopulmonary function, raise cardiorespiratory fitness, and increase tissues' and organs' tolerance to ischemia. Biochemical activities of IHP have also been reported as a feasible application strategy for IHP for the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients. In this paper, we aim to highlight some of the most relevant shared genes implicated with COVID-19 pathogenesis and hypoxia. We hypothesize that COVID-19 pathogenesis and hypoxia share a similar mechanism that affects apoptosis, proliferation, the immune system, and metabolism. We also highlight the necessity of studying individuals who live at higher altitudes to emulate their gene-environment interactions and compare the findings with IHT. Finally, we propose COX2 as an upstream target for testing the effectiveness of IHT in preventing or minimizing the effects of COVID-19 and other oxygen-related pathological conditions in the future.
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Burtscher J, Millet GP, Leitner B, Burtscher M. Health Benefits of Residence at Moderate Altitude Do Not Reduce COVID-19 Mortality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16074. [PMID: 36498148 PMCID: PMC9736022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Moderate altitude (1000−2000 m above sea level) residence is emerging as a protective factor from the mortality of various causes, including of cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, mortality from certain respiratory diseases is higher at these altitudes than in lowlands. These divergent outcomes could indicate either beneficial or detrimental effects of altitude on the mortality of COVID-19 that primarily infects the respiratory tract but results in multi-organ damage. Previous epidemiological data indeed suggest divergent outcomes of moderate to high altitude residence in various countries. Confounding factors, such as variations in the access to clinical facilities or selection biases of investigated populations, may contribute to the equivocation of these observations. We interrogated a dataset of the complete population of an Alpine country in the center of Europe with relatively similar testing and clinical support conditions across altitude-levels of residence (up to around 2000 m) to assess altitude-dependent mortality from COVID-19 throughout 2020. While a reduced all-cause mortality was confirmed for people living higher than 1000 m, no differences in the mortality from COVID-19 between the lowest and the highest altitude regions were observed for the overall population and the population older than 60 years as well. Conversely, COVID-19 mortality seems to have been reduced in the very old (>85 years) women at moderate altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gregoire P. Millet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Leitner
- Directorate Population, Statistics Austria, A-1110 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Austrian Society for Alpine and High-Altitude Medicine, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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14
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Arias-Uriona AM, Pérez E, Llanos J, Cuellar R, Galarza PY. [Social determinants associated with self-reporting of symptoms and access to COVID-19 testing and diagnosis in the Plurinational State of BoliviaDeterminantes sociais associados ao autorrelato de sintomas, acesso a testagem e diagnóstico de COVID-19 no Estado Plurinacional da Bolívia]. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e114. [PMID: 36177303 PMCID: PMC9512684 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify the prevalence of self-reporting of symptoms and access to testing and diagnosis of coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19), as well as its association with social determinants of health (SDH). Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 11 728 men and 12 612 women over the age of 17, based on the National Household Survey 2020. The dependent variables were the self-reporting of symptoms, access to testing, and a positive COVID-19 test. The independent variables were age, educational level, area of residence and geographic area, ethnicity, type of household, income per capita, occupation, and health insurance. Prevalences, bivariate associations, and binomial logistical regression models (odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI95%) were calculated. Results Of the total individuals included, 16% reported symptoms, 10% a test, and 4.2% a positive COVID-19 test. Inequalities were observed in the reporting of COVID-19 symptoms, with a higher probability in women whose income had fallen (OR: 1.7; CI95%: 1.2-2.4) and unemployed persons (OR: 1.2; CI95%: 1.1-1.4 for men and OR: 1.3; CI95%: 1.5-1.5 for women). In contrast, with respect to access to diagnostic tests, the highest probability was observed in people with higher education (OR: 2.4; CI95%: 1.9-2.9 for men and OR: 2.7; CI95%: 2.2-3.4 for women), whose income was maintained (OR: 1.5; CI95%: 1.3-1.9 for men and OR: 1.7; CI95%: 1.4-2.0 for women) and those in the highest quartile of per capita household income (OR: 2.0; CI95%: 1.6-2.5 for men and OR: 1.6; CI95%: 1.3-2.0 for women). The probability of reporting symptoms and getting tested, and being diagnosed with COVID-19 increased with age for people with health insurance and those living in the llanos region; however, it decreased for residents of rural areas. Conclusions There are inequalities in access to testing and the reporting of COVID-19 symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Arias-Uriona
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias del Comportamiento (IICC)Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaInstituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias del Comportamiento (IICC), Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia.
| | - Esdenka Pérez
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Javier Llanos
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Rafael Cuellar
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Pamela Y. Galarza
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
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15
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Song P, Han H, Feng H, Hui Y, Zhou T, Meng W, Yan J, Li J, Fang Y, Liu P, Li X, Li X. High altitude Relieves transmission risks of COVID-19 through meteorological and environmental factors: Evidence from China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113214. [PMID: 35405128 PMCID: PMC8993487 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Existing studies reported higher altitudes reduce the COVID-19 infection rate in the United States, Colombia, and Peru. However, the underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain unclear. In this study, regression analysis and mediating effect model were used in a combination to explore the altitudes relation with the pattern of transmission under their correlation factors. The preliminary linear regression analysis indicated a negative correlation between altitudes and COVID-19 infection in China. In contrast to environmental factors from low-altitude regions (<1500 m), high-altitude regions (>1500 m) exhibited lower PM2.5, average temperature (AT), and mobility, accompanied by high SO2 and absolute humidity (AH). Non-linear regression analysis further revealed that COVID-19 confirmed cases had a positive correlation with mobility, AH, and AT, whereas negatively correlated with SO2, CO, and DTR. Subsequent mediating effect model with altitude-correlated factors, such as mobility, AT, AH, DTR and SO2, suffice to discriminate the COVID-19 infection rate between low- and high-altitude regions. The mentioned evidence advance our understanding of the altitude-mediated COVID-19 transmission mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhi Song
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Huawen Han
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Hanzhong Feng
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Yun Hui
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Tuoyu Zhou
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China
| | - Wenbo Meng
- Key Laboratory for Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Jun Yan
- Key Laboratory for Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Key Laboratory for Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yitian Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Pu Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Xun Li
- Key Laboratory for Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Xiangkai Li
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China.
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SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Analysis at Low and High Altitude: A Case Study from Ecuador. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137945. [PMID: 35805606 PMCID: PMC9265329 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has spread throughout the world, including remote areas such as those located at high altitudes. There is a debate about the role of hypobaric hypoxia on viral transmission and COVID-19 incidence. A descriptive cross-sectional analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral load among patients living at low (230 m) and high altitude (3800 m) in Ecuador was completed. Within these two communities, the total number of infected people at the time of the study was 108 cases (40.3%). The COVID-19 incidence proportion at low altitude was 64% while at high altitude was 30.3%. The mean viral load from those patients who tested positive was 3,499,184 copies/mL (SD = 23,931,479 copies/mL). At low altitude (Limoncocha), the average viral load was 140,223.8 copies/mL (SD = 990,840.9 copies/mL), while for the high altitude group (Oyacachi), the mean viral load was 6,394,789 copies/mL (SD = 32,493,469 copies/mL). We found no statistically significant differences when both results were compared (p = 0.056). We found no significant differences across people living at low or high altitude; however, men and younger populations had higher viral load than women older populations, respectively.
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Díaz Ramírez M, Veneri P, Lembcke AC. Where did it hit harder? Understanding the geography of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF REGIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 62:889-908. [PMID: 35599965 PMCID: PMC9115119 DOI: 10.1111/jors.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and European regions has been strikingly uneven. In 2020, excess mortality rates in the hardest-hit regions were, on average, 17 percentage points higher than those in the least affected regions of the same country. This paper shows that low health system capacity, followed by population density, air pollution, the share of elderly people, and low institutional quality were associated with higher excess mortality during the first year of the pandemic. Finally, reduced home-to-work mobility, following governments' COVID-19 responses, was associated with lower excess mortality 2 months after implementation of the measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Veneri
- OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and CitiesParisFrance
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18
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Rodriguez Lima DR, Pinzón Rondón ÁM, Rubio Ramos C, Pinilla Rojas DI, Niño Orrego MJ, Díaz Quiroz MA, Molano-González N, Ceballos Quintero JE, Arroyo Santos AF, Ruiz Sternberg ÁM. Clinical characteristics and mortality associated with COVID-19 at high altitude: a cohort of 5161 patients in Bogotá, Colombia. Int J Emerg Med 2022; 15:22. [PMID: 35597911 PMCID: PMC9123834 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-022-00426-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There are few data on the clinical outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in cities over 1000 m above sea level (masl). Objectives To describe the clinical characteristics and mortality of patients with COVID-19 treated at a high complexity hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, at 2640 masl. Methods This was an observational study of a cohort including 5161 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection from 19 March 2020 to 30 April 2021. Demographic data, laboratory values, comorbidities, oxygenation indices, and clinical outcomes were collected. Data were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. An independent predictive model was performed for mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) using classification and regression trees (CART). Results The median cohort age was 66 years (interquartile range (IQR) 53–77), with 1305 patients dying (25%) and 3856 surviving (75%). The intensive care unit (ICU) received 1223 patients (24%). Of 898 patients who received IMV, 613 (68%) of them perished. The ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen (PaO2) to fraction inspired oxygen (FiO2), or the P/F ratio, upon ICU admission was 105 (IQR 77–146) and 137 (IQR 91–199) in the deceased and survivors, respectively. The CART model showed that the need for IMV, age greater than 79 years, ratio of oxygen saturation (SaO2) to FiO2, or the S/F ratio, less than 259, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) greater than 617 U/L at admission were associated with a greater probability of death. Conclusion Among more than 5000 patients with COVID-19 treated in our hospital, mortality at hospital discharge was 25%. Older age, low S/F ratio, and high LDH at admission were predictors of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rene Rodriguez Lima
- Critical and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario Mayor-Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia. .,Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Ángela María Pinzón Rondón
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cristhian Rubio Ramos
- Critical and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario Mayor-Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Maria José Niño Orrego
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mateo Andrés Díaz Quiroz
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nicolás Molano-González
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Ángela María Ruiz Sternberg
- Grupo de Investigación Clínica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Jibaja M, Roldan-Vasquez E, Rello J, Shen H, Maldonado N, Grunauer M, Díaz AM, García F, Ramírez V, Sánchez H, Barberán JL, Paredes JP, Cevallos M, Montenegro F, Puertas S, Briones K, Martínez M, Vélez-Páez J, Montalvo-Villagómez M, Herrera L, Garrido S, Sisa I. Effect of High Altitude on the Survival of COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Cohort Study. J Intensive Care Med 2022; 37:1265-1273. [PMID: 35532089 PMCID: PMC9095997 DOI: 10.1177/08850666221099827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The effect of high altitude ( ≥ 1500 m) and its potential association with mortality by COVID-19 remains controversial. We assessed the effect of high altitude on the survival/discharge of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for mechanical ventilation compared to individuals treated at sea level. Methods: A retrospective cohort multi-center study of consecutive adults patients with a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19 who were mechanically ventilated between March and November 2020. Data were collected from two sea-level hospitals and four high-altitude hospitals in Ecuador. The primary outcome was ICU and hospital survival/discharge. Survival analysis was conducted using semi-parametric Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Of the study population (n = 670), 35.2% were female with a mean age of 58.3 ± 12.6 years. On admission, high-altitude patients were more likely to be younger (57.2 vs. 60.5 years old), presented with less comorbidities such as hypertension (25.9% vs. 54.9% with p-value <.001) and diabetes mellitus (20.5% vs. 37.2% with p-value <.001), less probability of having a capillary refill time > 3 sec (13.7% vs. 30.1%, p-value <.001), and less severity-of-illness condition (APACHE II score, 17.5 ± 8.1 vs. 20 ± 8.2, p < .01). After adjusting for key confounders high altitude is associated with significant higher probabilities of ICU survival/discharge (HR: 1.74 [95% CI: 1.46-2.08]) and hospital survival/discharge (HR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.18-1.55]) than patients treated at sea level. Conclusions: Patients treated at high altitude at any time point during the study period were 74% more likely to experience ICU survival/discharge and 35% more likely to experience hospital survival/discharge than to the sea-level group. Possible reasons for these findings are genetic and physiological adaptations due to exposure to chronic hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Jibaja
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador UIDE, Quito, Ecuador
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Estefania Roldan-Vasquez
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jordi Rello
- Vall d’Hebrón Institute of Research (VHIR), Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Barcelona, Spain
- CHRU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Hua Shen
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nelson Maldonado
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Michelle Grunauer
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ana María Díaz
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda García
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Vanessa Ramírez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Hernán Sánchez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Quito, Ecuador
| | - José Luis Barberán
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades, Portoviejo, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Paredes
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades, Portoviejo, Ecuador
| | - Mónica Cevallos
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades, Portoviejo, Ecuador
| | - Francisco Montenegro
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Soraya Puertas
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Killen Briones
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital del IESS, Babahoyo, Ecuador
| | - Marlon Martínez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital del IESS, Babahoyo, Ecuador
| | - Jorge Vélez-Páez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital General Pablo Arturo Suárez, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Luis Herrera
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital del IESS, Ibarra, Ecuador
| | - Santiago Garrido
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital del IESS, Ibarra, Ecuador
| | - Ivan Sisa
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Quito, Ecuador
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Burtscher J, Romani M, Bernardo G, Popa T, Ziviani E, Hummel FC, Sorrentino V, Millet GP. Boosting mitochondrial health to counteract neurodegeneration. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 215:102289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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21
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High-altitude is associated with better short-term survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262423. [PMID: 35358185 PMCID: PMC8970356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple studies have attempted to elucidate the relationship between chronic hypoxia and SARS-CoV-2 infection. It seems that high-altitude is associated with lower COVID-19 related mortality and incidence rates; nevertheless, all the data came from observational studies, being this the first one looking into prospectively collected clinical data from severely ill patients residing at two significantly different altitudes. Methods A prospective cohort, a two-center study among COVID-19 confirmed adult patients admitted to a low (sea level) and high-altitude (2,850 m) ICU unit in Ecuador was conducted. Two hundred and thirty confirmed patients were enrolled from March 15th to July 15th, 2020. Results From 230 patients, 149 were men (64.8%) and 81 women (35.2%). The median age of all the patients was 60 years, and at least 105 (45.7%) of patients had at least one underlying comorbidity, including hypertension (33.5%), diabetes (16.5%), and chronic kidney failure (5.7%). The APACHE II scale (Score that estimates ICU mortality) at 72 hours was especially higher in the low altitude group with a median of 18 points (IQR: 9.5–24.0), compared to 9 points (IQR: 5.0–22.0) obtained in the high-altitude group. There is evidence of a difference in survival in favor of the high-altitude group (p = 0.006), the median survival being 39 days, compared to 21 days in the low altitude group. Conclusion There has been a substantial improvement in survival amongst people admitted to the high-altitude ICU. Residing at high-altitudes was associated with improved survival, especially among patients with no comorbidities. COVID-19 patients admitted to the high-altitude ICU unit have improved severity-of-disease classification system scores at 72 hours.
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22
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Del Valle-Mendoza J, Tarazona-Castro Y, Merino-Luna A, Carrillo-Ng H, Kym S, Aguilar-Luis MA, Del Valle LJ, Aquino-Ortega R, Martins-Luna J, Peña-Tuesta I, Silva-Caso W. Comparison of cytokines levels among COVID-19 patients living at sea level and high altitude. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:96. [PMID: 35090394 PMCID: PMC8795933 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus denominated SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread through the world causing the pandemic coronavirus disease known as COVID-19. The difference in the inflammatory response against SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living at different altitudes is a variable not yet studied. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in two Peruvian cities at different altitudes for comparison: Lima and Huaraz. Five important proinflammatory cytokines were measured including: IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α using ELISA assays. RESULTS A total of 35 COVID-19 patients and 10 healthy subjects were recruited from each study site. The mean levels of IL-6 (p < 0.03) and TNF-α (p < 0.01) were significantly different among the study groups. In the case of IL-6, patients from Lima had a mean level of 16.2 pg/ml (healthy) and 48.3 pg/ml (COVID-19), meanwhile, patients from Huaraz had levels of 67.3 pg/ml (healthy) and 97.9 pg/ml (COVID-19). Regarding TNF-α, patients from Lima had a mean level of 25.9 pg/ml (healthy) and 61.6 pg/ml (COVID-19), meanwhile, patients from Huaraz had levels of 89.0 pg/ml (healthy) and 120.6 pg/ml (COVID-19). The levels of IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ were not significantly different in the study groups. CONCLUSION Patients with COVID-19 residing at high-altitude tend to have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines compared to patients living at sea level, particularly IL-6 and TNF-α. A better understanding of the inflammatory response in different populations can contribute to the implementation of therapeutic and preventive approaches. Further studies evaluating more patients, a greater variety of cytokines and their clinical impact are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana Del Valle-Mendoza
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru.
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru.
- Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. San Marcos Cuadra 2, Chorrillos, Lima, Peru.
| | - Yordi Tarazona-Castro
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Hugo Carrillo-Ng
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | - Sungmin Kym
- Korea International Cooperation for Infectious Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Miguel Angel Aguilar-Luis
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | - Luis J Del Valle
- Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ronald Aquino-Ortega
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | - Johanna Martins-Luna
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | - Isaac Peña-Tuesta
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | - Wilmer Silva-Caso
- School of Medicine, Research Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru.
- Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru.
- Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. San Marcos Cuadra 2, Chorrillos, Lima, Peru.
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Ortiz-Prado E, Fernandez Naranjo RP, Vasconez E, Simbaña-Rivera K, Correa-Sancho T, Lister A, Calvopiña M, Viscor G. Analysis of Excess Mortality Data at Different Altitudes During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Ecuador. High Alt Med Biol 2021; 22:406-416. [PMID: 34905395 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2021.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ortiz-Prado, Esteban, Raul Patricio Fernandez Naranjo, Eduardo Vasconez, Katherine Simbaña-Rivera, Trigomar Correa-Sancho, Alex Lister, Manuel Calvopiña, and Ginés Viscor. Analysis of excess mortality data at different altitudes during the COVID-19 outbreak in Ecuador. High Alt Med Biol. 22:406-416, 2021. Background: It has been speculated that living at high altitude confers some risk reduction in terms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, reduced transmissibility, and arguable lower COVID-19-related mortality. Objective: We aim to determine the number of excess deaths reported in Ecuador during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to different altitude categories among 221 cantons in Ecuador, ranging from sea level to 4,300 m above. Methods: A descriptive ecological country-wide analysis of the excess mortality in Ecuador was performed since March 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021. Every canton was categorized as lower (for altitudes 2,500 m or less) or higher (for altitudes >2,500 m) in a first broad classification, as well as in two different classifications: The one proposed by Imray et al. in 2011 (low altitude <1,500 m, moderate altitude 1,500-2,500 m, high altitude 2,500-3,500 m, or very high altitude 3,500-5,500 m) and the one proposed by Bärtsch et al. in 2008 (near sea level 0-500 m, low altitude 500-2,000 m, moderate altitude 2,000-3,000 m, high altitude 3,000-5,500 m, and extreme altitude 5,500 m). A Poisson fitting analysis was used to identify trends on officially recorded all-caused deaths and those attributed to COVID-19. Results: In Ecuador, at least 120,573 deaths were recorded during the first year of the pandemic, from which 42,453 were catalogued as excessive when compared with the past 3 years of averages (2017-2019). The mortality rate at the lower altitude was 301/100,000 people, in comparison to 242/100,000 inhabitants in elevated cantons. Considering the four elevation categories, the highest excess deaths came from towns located at low altitude (324/100,000), in contrast to the moderate altitude (171/100,000), high-altitude (249/100,000), and very high-altitude (153/100,000) groups. Conclusions: This is the first report on COVID-19 excess mortality in a high-altitude range from 0 to 4,300 m above sea level. We found that absolute COVID-19-related excess mortality is lower both in time and in proportion in the cantons located at high and very high altitude when compared with those cantons located at low altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology of the Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo Vasconez
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Trigomar Correa-Sancho
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Alex Lister
- University Hospital Southampton NHS FT, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Calvopiña
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ginés Viscor
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology of the Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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24
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Potential long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the pulmonary vasculature: a global perspective. Nat Rev Cardiol 2021; 19:314-331. [PMID: 34873286 PMCID: PMC8647069 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-021-00640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The lungs are the primary target of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, with severe hypoxia being the cause of death in the most critical cases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is extremely heterogeneous in terms of severity, clinical phenotype and, importantly, global distribution. Although the majority of affected patients recover from the acute infection, many continue to suffer from late sequelae affecting various organs, including the lungs. The role of the pulmonary vascular system during the acute and chronic stages of COVID-19 has not been adequately studied. A thorough understanding of the origins and dynamic behaviour of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the potential causes of heterogeneity in COVID-19 is essential for anticipating and treating the disease, in both the acute and the chronic stages, including the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension. Both COVID-19 and chronic pulmonary hypertension have assumed global dimensions, with potential complex interactions. In this Review, we present an update on the origins and behaviour of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and discuss the potential causes of the heterogeneity of COVID-19. In addition, we summarize the pathobiology of COVID-19, with an emphasis on the role of the pulmonary vasculature, both in the acute stage and in terms of the potential for developing chronic pulmonary hypertension. We hope that the information presented in this Review will help in the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. In this Review, the authors discuss the potential causes of the heterogeneity of COVID-19 and summarize the pathobiology of the disease, with an emphasis on the role of the pulmonary vasculature in the acute stage and the potential for developing chronic pulmonary hypertension. A thorough understanding of the dynamic behaviour of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential to understanding its heterogeneous effects on the pulmonary vasculature in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The severity and clinical phenotype of COVID-19 are influenced by host factors, including socioeconomic factors and genetics. Silent hypoxia is a major and independent cause of lung damage in COVID-19; the use of modern imaging techniques is proving to be very valuable in identifying silent hypoxia. The pulmonary vascular system has a major role in the pathobiology of COVID-19. Both COVID-19 and chronic pulmonary hypertension are global diseases with a complex interaction.
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25
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Burtscher M, Millet GP, Klimont J, Burtscher J. Differences in the prevalence of physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors between people living at low (<1,001 m) compared to moderate (1,001-2,000 m) altitude. AIMS Public Health 2021; 8:624-635. [PMID: 34786424 PMCID: PMC8568593 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2021050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Living at moderate altitude (up to about 2,000 m) was shown to be associated with distinct health benefits, including lower mortality from cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. However, it remains unclear, whether those benefits are mainly due to environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, temperature, solar ultra-violet radiation) or differences in lifestyle behavior, including regular physical activity levels. This study aims to compare altitude-related differences in levels of physical activity and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes in an Alpine country. We interrogated the Austrian Health Interview Survey (ATHIS) 2019, a nationally representative study of persons aged over 15 years living in private Austrian households. The results confirm a higher prevalence of hypertension (24.2% vs. 16.8%) in men living at low (<1,001 m) compared to those at moderate (1,001 to 2,000 m) altitude. Women living above 1,000 m tend to have a lower prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (14.8% vs. 18.8%) and diabetes (3.2% vs. 5.6%) than their lower living peers. Both sexes have lower average body mass index (BMI) when residing at moderate altitude (men: 25.7, women: 23.9) compared to those living lower (26.6 and 25.2). Severe obesity (BMI > 40) is almost exclusively restricted to low altitude dwellers. Only men report to be more physically active on average when living higher (1,453 vs. 1,113 weekly MET minutes). These novel findings confirm some distinct benefits of moderate altitude residence on heath. Beside climate conditions, differences in lifestyle behavior, i.e., physical activity, have to be considered when interpreting those health-related divergences, and consequently also mortality data, between people residing at low and moderate altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jeannette Klimont
- Unit Demography and Health, Directorate Social Statistics, Statistics Austria, 1110 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Burtscher
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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Campos A, Scheveck B, Parikh J, Hernandez-Bojorge S, Terán E, Izurieta R. Effect of altitude on COVID-19 mortality in Ecuador: an ecological study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2079. [PMID: 34772396 PMCID: PMC8589098 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 900,000 lives worldwide and infected more than 27 million people. Researchers worldwide are studying ways to decrease SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 related deaths. Several studies found altitude having a negative association with both COVID-19 incidence and deaths. Ecuadorian data was used to explore the relationship between altitude and COVID-19. Methods This is an ecological study examining province-level data. To explore a relationship between altitude and COVID-19, this study utilized publicly available COVID-19 data and population statistics. ANOVA, correlation statistics, and a multivariate linear model explored the relationship between different Ecuadorian altitudes against incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rates. Population statistics attributed to COVID-19 were included in the linear model to control for confounding factors. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in the regions of Amazónica, Sierra, Costa of Ecuador for incidence, mortality, and case fatality rates, suggesting an association between altitude and SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 disease severity (p-value ≤0.05). In univariate analysis, altitude had a negative association to mortality rate with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease of 0.006 units in mortality rate (p-value = 0.03). The multiple linear models adjusted for population statistics showed a statistically significant negative association of altitude with mortality rate (p-value = 0.01) with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease in mortality rate by 0.015 units. Overall, the model helped in explaining 50% (R2 = 0.4962) of the variance in mortality rate. Conclusion Altitude may have an effect on COVID-19 mortality rates. However, based on our model and R2 value, the relationship between our variables of interest and COVID-19 mortality may be nonlinear. More research is needed to understand why altitude may have a protective effect against COVID-19 mortality and how this may be applicable in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Campos
- University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, U.S..
| | - Bridget Scheveck
- University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, U.S
| | - Jeegan Parikh
- University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, U.S
| | | | - Enrique Terán
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Campus Cumbayá, Diego de Robles s/n, Quito, 170901, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ricardo Izurieta
- University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, U.S
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27
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Tomas-Grau RH, Ploper D, Ávila CL, Vera Pingitore E, Maldonado Galdeano C, Chaves S, Socias SB, Stagnetto A, Navarro SA, Chahla RE, Aguilar López M, Llapur CJ, Aznar P, Alcorta ME, Costas D, Flores I, Heinze D, Apfelbaum G, Mostoslavsky R, Mostoslavsky G, Cazorla SI, Perdigón GDV, Chehín R. Elevated Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 at High Altitudes Revealed by an Anti-RBD " In-House" ELISA. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:720988. [PMID: 34722566 PMCID: PMC8551828 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.720988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic with dramatic health and socioeconomic consequences. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) challenges health systems to quickly respond by developing new diagnostic strategies that contribute to identify infected individuals, monitor infections, perform contact-tracing, and limit the spread of the virus. In this brief report, we developed a highly sensitive, specific, and precise “In-House” ELISA to correctly discriminate previously SARS-CoV-2-infected and non-infected individuals and study population seroprevalence. Among 758 individuals evaluated for anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology in the province of Tucumán, Argentina, we found a weak correlation between antibodies elicited against the RBD, the receptor-binding domain of the Spike protein, and the nucleocapsid (N) antigens of this virus. Additionally, we detected mild levels of anti-RBD IgG antibodies in 33.6% of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, while only 19% showed sufficient antibody titers to be considered as plasma donors. No differences in IgG anti-RBD titers were found between women and men, neither in between different age groups ranging from 18 to 60. Surprisingly, individuals from a high altitude village displayed elevated and longer lasting anti-RBD titers compared to those from a lower altitude city. To our knowledge, this is the first report correlating altitude with increased humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Hernán Tomas-Grau
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Diego Ploper
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - César Luis Ávila
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Esteban Vera Pingitore
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Carolina Maldonado Galdeano
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos, Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvina Chaves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Sergio Benjamín Socias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Agustín Stagnetto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvia Adriana Navarro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
| | | | - Mónica Aguilar López
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Sistema Provincial de Salud, Hospital Néstor Kirchner, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Conrado Juan Llapur
- Departamento de Residencias, Dirección General de Recursos Humanos (DGRRHH), Ministerio de Salud, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Patricia Aznar
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Sistema Provincial de Salud, Hospital Néstor Kirchner, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - María Elena Alcorta
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Sistema Provincial de Salud, Hospital Néstor Kirchner, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Dardo Costas
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Sistema Provincial de Salud, Hospital Néstor Kirchner, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Isolina Flores
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Sistema Provincial de Salud, Hospital Néstor Kirchner, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Dar Heinze
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gabriela Apfelbaum
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Raul Mostoslavsky
- The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gustavo Mostoslavsky
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Silvia Inés Cazorla
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos, Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Del Valle Perdigón
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos, Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Rosana Chehín
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigación Científicas y Técnicas- Sistema Provincial de Salud (UNT-CONICET-SIPROSA), Tucumán, Argentina
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Leon-Abarca JA, Portmann-Baracco A, Bryce-Alberti M, Ruiz-Sánchez C, Accinelli RA, Soliz J, Gonzales GF. Diabetes increases the risk of COVID-19 in an altitude dependent manner: An analysis of 1,280,806 Mexican patients. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255144. [PMID: 34343179 PMCID: PMC8330906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The objective of this study is to analyze how the impact of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] in patients with COVID-19 varies according to altitudinal gradient. METHODS We obtained 1,280,806 records from adult patients with COVID-19 and DM to analyze the probability of COVID-19, development of COVID-19 pneumonia, hospitalization, intubation, admission to the Intensive Care Unit [ICU] and case-fatality rates [CFR]. Variables were controlled by age, sex and altitude of residence to calculate adjusted prevalence and prevalence ratios. RESULTS Patients with DM had a 21.8% higher prevalence of COVID-19 and an additional 120.2% higher prevalence of COVID-19 pneumonia. The adjusted prevalence was also higher for these outcomes as well as for hospitalization, intubation and ICU admission. COVID-19 and pneumonia patients with DM had a 97.0% and 19.4% higher CFR, respectively. With increasing altitudes, the probability of being a confirmed COVID-19 case and the development of pneumonia decreased along CFR for patients with and without DM. However, COVID-19 patients with DM were more likely to require intubation when residing at high altitude. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that patients with DM have a higher probability of being a confirmed COVID-19 case and developing pneumonia. Higher altitude had a protective relationship against SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, it may be associated with more severe cases in patients with and without DM. High altitude decreases CFR for all COVID-19 patients. Our work also shows that women are less affected than men regardless of altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Alonso Leon-Abarca
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Facultad de Medicina Albero Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Arianna Portmann-Baracco
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Facultad de Medicina Albero Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Mayte Bryce-Alberti
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Facultad de Medicina Albero Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Carlos Ruiz-Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Facultad de Medicina Albero Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Roberto Alfonso Accinelli
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Facultad de Medicina Albero Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- * E-mail:
| | - Jorge Soliz
- Institute Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec [IUCPQ], Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI-IPPA), La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Gustavo Francisco Gonzales
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo [LID], Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Alberto Cazorla Tálleri, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
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Glucocorticoid-Dependent Mechanisms of Brain Tolerance to Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157982. [PMID: 34360746 PMCID: PMC8348130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of organisms to stressors is coordinated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which involves glucocorticoids (GCs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Although the effects of GCs are well characterized, their impact on brain adaptation to hypoxia/ischemia is still understudied. The brain is not only the most susceptible to hypoxic injury, but also vulnerable to GC-induced damage, which makes studying the mechanisms of brain hypoxic tolerance and resistance to stress-related elevation of GCs of great importance. Cross-talk between the molecular mechanisms activated in neuronal cells by hypoxia and GCs provides a platform for developing the most effective and safe means for prevention and treatment of hypoxia-induced brain damage, including hypoxic pre- and post-conditioning. Taking into account that hypoxia- and GC-induced reprogramming significantly affects the development of organisms during embryogenesis, studies of the effects of prenatal and neonatal hypoxia on health in later life are of particular interest. This mini review discusses the accumulated data on the dynamics of the HPA activation in injurious and non-injurious hypoxia, the role of the brain GRs in these processes, interaction of GCs and hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1, as well as cross-talk between GC and hypoxic signaling. It also identifies underdeveloped areas and suggests directions for further prospective studies.
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Bhattacharya S, Agarwal S, Shrimali NM, Guchhait P. Interplay between hypoxia and inflammation contributes to the progression and severity of respiratory viral diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101000. [PMID: 34294412 PMCID: PMC8287505 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
History of pandemics is dominated by viral infections and specifically respiratory viral diseases like influenza and COVID-19. Lower respiratory tract infection is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Crosstalk between resultant inflammation and hypoxic microenvironment may impair ventilatory response of lungs. This reduces arterial partial pressure of oxygen, termed as hypoxemia, which is observed in a section of patients with respiratory virus infections including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). In this review, we describe the interplay between inflammation and hypoxic microenvironment in respiratory viral infection and its contribution to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulagna Bhattacharya
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India; School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Orissa, India
| | - Sakshi Agarwal
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Nishith M Shrimali
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Prasenjit Guchhait
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, National Capital Region Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India.
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Cardenas L, Valverde‐Bruffau V, Gonzales GF. Altitude does not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infections and mortality due to COVID-19. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14922. [PMID: 34110706 PMCID: PMC8191172 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cardenas
- Laboratories of Investigation and Development (LID)Faculty of Sciences and PhilosophyUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Valeria Valverde‐Bruffau
- Laboratories of Investigation and Development (LID)Faculty of Sciences and PhilosophyUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Gustavo F. Gonzales
- Laboratories of Investigation and Development (LID)Faculty of Sciences and PhilosophyUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
- High Altitude Research InstituteUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
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High-altitude illnesses: Old stories and new insights into the pathophysiology, treatment and prevention. SPORTS MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2021; 3:59-69. [PMID: 35782163 PMCID: PMC9219347 DOI: 10.1016/j.smhs.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Areas at high-altitude, annually attract millions of tourists, skiers, trekkers, and climbers. If not adequately prepared and not considering certain ascent rules, a considerable proportion of those people will suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) or even from life-threatening high-altitude cerebral (HACE) or/and pulmonary edema (HAPE). Reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure with gain in altitude and consequently reduced oxygen availability is primarily responsible for getting sick in this setting. Appropriate acclimatization by slowly raising the hypoxic stimulus (e.g., slow ascent to high altitude) and/or repeated exposures to altitude or artificial, normobaric hypoxia will largely prevent those illnesses. Understanding physiological mechanisms of acclimatization and pathophysiological mechanisms of high-altitude diseases, knowledge of symptoms and signs, treatment and prevention strategies will largely contribute to the risk reduction and increased safety, success and enjoyment at high altitude. Thus, this review is intended to provide a sound basis for both physicians counseling high-altitude visitors and high-altitude visitors themselves.
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Castilla J, Fresán U, Trobajo-Sanmartín C, Guevara M. Altitude and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the First Pandemic Wave in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052578. [PMID: 33806642 PMCID: PMC7967395 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
After the first pandemic wave, a nationwide survey assessed the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Spain and found notable differences among provinces whose causes remained unclear. This ecological study aimed to analyze the association between environmental and demographic factors and SARS-CoV-2 infection by province. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by province was obtained from a nationwide representative survey performed in June 2020, after the first pandemic wave in Spain. Linear regression was used in the analysis. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of the 50 provinces ranged from 0.2% to 13.6%. The altitude, which ranged from 5 to 1131 m, explained nearly half of differences in seroprevalence (R2 = 0.47, p < 0.001). The seroprevalence in people residing in provinces above the median altitude (215 m) was three-fold higher (6.5% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate linear regression, the addition of population density significantly improved the predictive value of the altitude (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.001). Every 100 m of altitude increase and 100 inhabitants/km2 of increase in population density, the seroprevalence rose 0.84 and 0.63 percentage points, respectively. Environmental conditions related to higher altitude in winter–spring, such as lower temperatures and absolute humidity, may be relevant to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Places with such adverse conditions may require additional efforts for pandemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Castilla
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain; (U.F.); (M.G.)
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Navarre Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ujué Fresán
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain; (U.F.); (M.G.)
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Global (ISGlobal), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Camino Trobajo-Sanmartín
- Navarre Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marcela Guevara
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain; (U.F.); (M.G.)
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Navarre Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
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Millet GP, Debevec T, Brocherie F, Burtscher M, Burtscher J. Altitude and COVID-19: Friend or foe? A narrative review. Physiol Rep 2021; 8:e14615. [PMID: 33340275 PMCID: PMC7749581 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports suggest that high-altitude residence may be beneficial in the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) implicating that traveling to high places or using hypoxic conditioning thus could be favorable as well. Physiological high-altitude characteristics and symptoms of altitude illnesses furthermore seem similar to several pathologies associated with COVID-19. As a consequence, high altitude and hypoxia research and related clinical practices are discussed for potential applications in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. We summarize the currently available evidence on the relationship between altitude/hypoxia conditions and COVID-19 epidemiology and pathophysiology. The potential for treatment strategies used for altitude illnesses is evaluated. Symptomatic overlaps in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 induced ARDS and high altitude illnesses (i.e., hypoxemia, dyspnea…) have been reported but are also common to other pathologies (i.e., heart failure, pulmonary embolism, COPD…). Most treatments of altitude illnesses have limited value and may even be detrimental in COVID-19. Some may be efficient, potentially the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Physiological adaptations to altitude/hypoxia can exert diverse effects, depending on the constitution of the target individual and the hypoxic dose. In healthy individuals, they may optimize oxygen supply and increase mitochondrial, antioxidant, and immune system function. It is highly debated if these physiological responses to hypoxia overlap in many instances with SARS-CoV-2 infection and may exert preventive effects under very specific conditions. The temporal overlap of SARS-CoV-2 infection and exposure to altitude/hypoxia may be detrimental. No evidence-based knowledge is presently available on whether and how altitude/hypoxia may prevent, treat or aggravate COVID-19. The reported lower incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in high-altitude places remain to be confirmed. High-altitude illnesses and COVID-19 pathologies exhibit clear pathophysiological differences. While potentially effective as a prophylactic measure, altitude/hypoxia is likely associated with elevated risks for patients with COVID-19. Altogether, the different points discussed in this review are of possibly some relevance for individuals who aim to reach high-altitude areas. However, due to the ever-changing state of understanding of COVID-19, all points discussed in this review may be out of date at the time of its publication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tadej Debevec
- Faculty of SportUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
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