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Carmassi C, Sampogna G, Di Vincenzo M, Cipolla S, Toni C, Albert U, Carrà G, Cirulli F, Dell'Osso B, Fantasia S, Nanni MG, Pedrinelli V, Pompili M, Sani G, Tortorella A, Volpe U, Fiorillo A. Acute stress symptoms in general population during the first wave of COVID lockdown in Italy: Results from the COMET trial. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3314. [PMID: 37990771 PMCID: PMC10726770 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented traumatic event that has severely impacted social, economic, and health well-being worldwide. The COvid Mental hEalth Trial was specifically designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures on the mental health of the Italian general population in terms of COVID-19-related acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. METHODS The present cross-sectional study is based on an online survey carried out in the period March-May 2020. Italian general adult population was invited to compile an anonymous survey, which included the severity of acute stress symptoms scale/National Stressful Events Survey Short Scale to investigate the occurrence and severity of ASD symptoms. RESULTS The final sample consisted of 20,720 participants. During the lockdown, subjects with pre-existing mental health problems reported a statistically significant higher risk of acute post-traumatic symptoms compared to the general population (B: 2.57; 95% CI:2.04-3.09; p < .0001) and health care professionals (B: .37; 95% CI: .02-0.72; p < .05). According to multivariate regression models, the levels of acute post-traumatic symptoms (p < .0001) were higher in younger and female respondents. Social isolation and sleep disorder/insomnia represented positive predictors of acute stress (B = 3.32, 95% CI = 3.08-3.57). CONCLUSIONS Concerns about the risk of infection as well as social isolation caused a higher incidence of acute post-traumatic stress symptoms that may predict the subsequent development of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Matteo Di Vincenzo
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Salvatore Cipolla
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Claudia Toni
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health SciencesUniversity of Trieste and Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina–ASUGITriesteItaly
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Milan BicoccaMilanoItaly
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental HealthNational Institute of HealthRomeItaly
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences and Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain TherapeuticUniversity of MilanMilanoItaly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sara Fantasia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Maria Giulia Nanni
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and RehabilitationUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | | | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and PsychologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of PsychiatryUniversity Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly
- Department of Neuroscience, Sensory organs and Thorax, Department of PsychiatryFondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | | | - Umberto Volpe
- Clinical Psychiatry UnitDepartment of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversità Politecnica delle MarcheAnconaItaly
| | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
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Ferrante P. The first 2 years of COVID-19 in Italy: Incidence, lethality, and health policies. Front Public Health 2022; 10:986743. [PMID: 36388357 PMCID: PMC9664068 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.986743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic that was first recognized in China in December 2019. This paper aims to provide a detailed overview of the first 2 years of the pandemic in Italy. Design and methods Using the negative binomial distribution, the daily incidence of infections was estimated through the virus's lethality and the moving-averaged deaths. The lethality of the original strain (estimated through national sero-surveys) was adjusted daily for age of infections, hazard ratios of virus variants, and the cumulative distribution of vaccinated individuals. Results From February 24, 2020, to February 28, 2022, there were 20,833,018 (20,728,924-20,937,375) cases distributed over five waves. The overall lethality rate was 0.73%, but daily it ranged from 2.78% (in the first wave) to 0.15% (in the last wave). The first two waves had the highest number of daily deaths (about 710) and the last wave showed the highest peak of daily infections (220,487). Restriction measures of population mobility strongly slowed the viral spread. During the 2nd year of the pandemic, vaccines prevented 10,000,000 infections and 115,000 deaths. Conclusion Almost 40% of COVID-19 infections have gone undetected and they were mostly concentrated in the first year of the pandemic. From the second year, a massive test campaign made it possible to detect more asymptomatic cases, especially among the youngest. Mobility restriction measures were an effective suppression strategy while distance learning and smart working were effective mitigation strategies. Despite the variants of concern, vaccines strongly reduced the pandemic impact on the healthcare system avoiding strong restriction measures.
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Fong FC, Smith DR. Exposure-lag response of air temperature on COVID-19 incidence in twelve Italian cities: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113099. [PMID: 35305982 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-536878/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The exposure-lag response of air temperature on daily COVID-19 incidence is unclear and there have been concerns regarding the robustness of previous studies. Here we present an analysis of high spatial and temporal resolution using the distributed lag non-linear modelling (DLNM) framework. Utilising nearly two years' worth of data, we fit statistical models to twelve Italian cities to quantify the delayed effect of air temperature on daily COVID-19 incidence, accounting for several categories of potential confounders (meteorological, air quality and non-pharmaceutical interventions). Coefficients and covariance matrices for the temperature term were then synthesised using random effects meta-analysis to yield pooled estimates of the exposure-lag response with effects presented as the relative risk (RR) and cumulative RR (RRcum). The cumulative exposure response curve was non-linear, with peak risk at 15.1 °C and declining risk at progressively lower and higher temperatures. The lowest RRcum at 0.2 °C is 0.72 [0.56,0.91] times that of the highest risk. Due to this non-linearity, the shape of the lag response curve necessarily varied by temperature. This work suggests that on a given day, air temperature approximately 15 °C maximises the incidence of COVID-19, with the effects distributed in the subsequent ten days or more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chyi Fong
- Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, No. 1, Jalan Sarjana 1, Kota Ilmu, EduCity@Iskandar, 79200, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Daniel Robert Smith
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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Fong FC, Smith DR. Exposure-lag response of air temperature on COVID-19 incidence in twelve Italian cities: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113099. [PMID: 35305982 PMCID: PMC8925100 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The exposure-lag response of air temperature on daily COVID-19 incidence is unclear and there have been concerns regarding the robustness of previous studies. Here we present an analysis of high spatial and temporal resolution using the distributed lag non-linear modelling (DLNM) framework. Utilising nearly two years' worth of data, we fit statistical models to twelve Italian cities to quantify the delayed effect of air temperature on daily COVID-19 incidence, accounting for several categories of potential confounders (meteorological, air quality and non-pharmaceutical interventions). Coefficients and covariance matrices for the temperature term were then synthesised using random effects meta-analysis to yield pooled estimates of the exposure-lag response with effects presented as the relative risk (RR) and cumulative RR (RRcum). The cumulative exposure response curve was non-linear, with peak risk at 15.1 °C and declining risk at progressively lower and higher temperatures. The lowest RRcum at 0.2 °C is 0.72 [0.56,0.91] times that of the highest risk. Due to this non-linearity, the shape of the lag response curve necessarily varied by temperature. This work suggests that on a given day, air temperature approximately 15 °C maximises the incidence of COVID-19, with the effects distributed in the subsequent ten days or more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chyi Fong
- Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, No. 1, Jalan Sarjana 1, Kota Ilmu, EduCity@Iskandar, 79200, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Daniel Robert Smith
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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Improvements throughout the Three Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from 4 Million Inhabitants of North-West Italy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154304. [PMID: 35893395 PMCID: PMC9332615 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
At the very beginning of the European spread of SARS-CoV-2, Piedmont was one of the most affected regions in Italy, with a strong impact on healthcare organizations. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients in an entire region during the first three pandemic waves, identifying similarities and differences in the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic’s timeline. We collected the health-administrative data of all the Piedmont COVID-19 patients infected during the first three pandemic waves (1 March 2020–15 April 2020; 15 October 2020–15 December 2020; 1 March 2021–15 April 2021, respectively). We compared differences among the waves in subjects positive for SARS-CoV-2 and in patients admitted to ICU. Overall, 18.621 subjects tested positive during the first wave (405 patients/day), 144.350 (2366.4 patients/day) in the second, and 81.823 (1778.8 patients/day) in the third. In the second and third waves, we observed a reduction in median age, comorbidity burden, mortality in outpatients, inpatients, and patients admitted to ICU, in intubation, invasive ventilation and tracheostomy, and a parallel increase in the use of CPAP. Our study confirmed a trend towards younger and healthier patients over time but also showed an independent effect of the period on mortality and ICU admission. The appearance of new viral variants, the starting of vaccination, and organizational improvements in tracking, outpatients and inpatients management could have influenced these trends.
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Rispoli V, Díaz Crescitelli ME, Cavallieri F, Antonelli F, Meletti S, Ghirotto L, Valzania F. Needs and Perceptions of Patients With Dystonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Framework Analysis of Survey Responses From Italy. Front Neurol 2022; 13:808433. [PMID: 35785354 PMCID: PMC9243746 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.808433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures have created changes in both life and healthcare. With the prioritization of COVID-19-related management, the risks and experiences of patients suffering from rare conditions, such as dystonia, during the pandemic remain understudied.Materials and MethodsUsing a framework analysis of a nationwide qualitative online survey, we sought to explore the perspectives of patients with dystonia on their clinical assistance and possible unmet needs during the first pandemic wave. An online survey consisting of 37 items (such as demographic characteristics, dystonia-related features, neurological service provision, therapeutic relationship with the neurologist, perceptions related to virus infection, perceptions about healthcare-related needs, work-related questions, requesting information, and seeking support during the pandemic) was carried out using both close and open-ended questions.ResultsResponses from 62 participants were collected, with most of them from the red zones in Italy, where they were confined indoors. Social isolation was a relevant stressor. Motor and non-motor symptoms increased with detrimental consequences for patients' job and daily functionality. Outpatient clinics and rehabilitation sessions were temporarily shut down, and even telephone/mail support was sparse. Despite efforts, patients felt alone in dealing with dystonia.ConclusionThe first wave of the pandemic and its related restrictions had detrimental consequences for people living with dystonia, and their relevant needs remained unmet. These findings may contribute to implementing remedial healthcare provisions in this pandemic or in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Rispoli
- Neurology, Neuroscience Head Neck Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Cavallieri
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor and Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonelli
- Neurology, Neuroscience Head Neck Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Meletti
- Neurology, Neuroscience Head Neck Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Ghirotto
- Qualitative Research Unit - Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Ghirotto
| | - Franco Valzania
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor and Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Xie Q, Sundararaj V, Mr R. Analyzing the factors affecting the attitude of public toward lockdown, institutional trust, and civic engagement activities. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 50:806-822. [PMID: 34368961 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The early 2020 witnessed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic followed by a nationwide lockdown in the whole history for the first time. The entire world had to go for nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of such contagious and deadly disease. In short, the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown had created a storm in the world giving rise to change in public with respect to parameters like trust in the government institutions, civic engagement, and so on. In this raising dilemma, multiple countries have acknowledged the significance of trusting institutions, especially during lockdown. It is also widely accepted that lives of individuals had been undergoing change ever since the spread of COVID-19. Likewise, public's trust in the institutions is directly related to the civic engagement. Civic engagement is commonly understood as a phenomenon that develops a difference in an individual's civic life by combining values, skills, motivation, as well as knowledge. Different forms of civic engagement include national service, volunteering, societal services, and so forth. The main focus of this article is to examine the influence of COVID-19 outbreak on general attitude of the citizens of Malaysia and India, their trust on the governing institutions, and the civic engagement. In other words, this study tries to assess the impact of the pandemic on variables such as attitude toward the lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement. For this, the study adopted cross-sectional community questionnaire survey in two countries-Malaysia and India. The respondents selected for the study was 1437. The respondent's demographics, attitude toward lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement during the lockdown were collected by means of convenience sampling technique. Later the collected data were measured in terms of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings of the study stated that public's trust in the institution can be increased by enhancing the civic activities and implementing policies that govern and build the society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xie
- School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- School of Economics and Management, Anshun University, Anshun, China
| | - Vinu Sundararaj
- Department of Electronics and Communication, Anna University, Chennai, India
| | - Rejeesh Mr
- Department of Electronics and Communication, Anna University, Chennai, India
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Bonfiglio A, Coderoni S, Esposti R. Policy responses to COVID-19 pandemic waves: Cross-region and cross-sector economic impact. JOURNAL OF POLICY MODELING 2022; 44:252-279. [PMID: 35400770 PMCID: PMC8975603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper proposes a modelling approach to assess the cross-region and cross-sector economic impacts of the restrictions imposed by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide lockdown imposed in Italy during the first wave of the pandemic is used as a benchmark. However, the adopted approach allows an ex-ante assessment of alternative policy responses, in the event of successive pandemic waves, in order to rationalise the policy intervention and reach the best possible compromise between containing the risk of contagion and reducing economic losses. The used approach consists of a non-linear programming model based on a multiregional Input-Output (I-O) table, which guarantees greater flexibility than traditional I-O analysis. It is applied to estimate both direct and indirect losses of GDP and employment produced by alternative policy responses represented by general and differentiated lockdowns. The evidence deriving from the Italian experience shows a sort of learning process through successive waves based on the introduction of increasingly flexible and tailored policy responses to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonfiglio
- CREA - Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, Italy
| | - Silvia Coderoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Economics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
| | - Roberto Esposti
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy
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Meschiari M, Cozzi-Lepri A, Tonelli R, Bacca E, Menozzi M, Franceschini E, Cuomo G, Bedini A, Volpi S, Milic J, Brugioni L, Romagnoli E, Pietrangelo A, Corradini E, Coloretti I, Biagioni E, Busani S, Girardis M, Cossarizza A, Clini E, Guaraldi G, Mussini C. First and second waves among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 with severe pneumonia: a comparison of 28-day mortality over the 1-year pandemic in a tertiary university hospital in Italy. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054069. [PMID: 34980623 PMCID: PMC8724593 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The first COVID-19-19 epidemic wave was over the period of February-May 2020. Since 1 October 2020, Italy, as many other European countries, faced a second wave. The aim of this analysis was to compare the 28-day mortality between the two waves among COVID-19 hospitalised patients. DESIGN Observational cohort study. Standard survival analysis was performed to compare all-cause mortality within 28 days after hospital admission in the two waves. Kaplan-Meier curves as well as Cox regression model analysis were used. The effect of wave on risk of death was shown by means of HRs with 95% CIs. A sensitivity analysis around the impact of the circulating variant as a potential unmeasured confounder was performed. SETTING University Hospital of Modena, Italy. Patients admitted to the hospital for severe COVID-19 pneumonia during the first (22 February-31 May 2020) and second (1 October-31 December 2020) waves were included. RESULTS During the two study periods, a total of 1472 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were admitted to our hospital, 449 during the first wave and 1023 during the second. Median age was 70 years (IQR 56-80), 37% women, 49% with PaO2/FiO2 <250 mm Hg, 82% with ≥1 comorbidity, median duration of symptoms was 6 days. 28-day mortality rate was 20.0% (95% CI 16.3 to 23.7) during the first wave vs 14.2% (95% CI 12.0 to 16.3) in the second (log-rank test p value=0.03). After including key predictors of death in the multivariable Cox regression model, the data still strongly suggested a lower 28-day mortality rate in the second wave (aHR=0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.90, p value=0.01). CONCLUSIONS In our hospitalised patients with COVID-19 with severe pneumonia, the 28-day mortality appeared to be reduced by 36% during the second as compared with the first wave. Further studies are needed to identify factors that may have contributed to this improved survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Meschiari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Tonelli
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Erica Bacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marianna Menozzi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Erica Franceschini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cuomo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Bedini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Volpi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jovana Milic
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucio Brugioni
- Internal Medicine Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Romagnoli
- Internal Medicine Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonello Pietrangelo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Corradini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Irene Coloretti
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Emanuela Biagioni
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Busani
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Girardis
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Cossarizza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Enrico Clini
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Guaraldi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristina Mussini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Bhuiyan AA, Brahmachari S, Ripa IJ, Noor R. Overview of dreadful consequences of SARS-CoV-2 invasion in Italy from March 2020 to March 2022. BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE 2022; 46:176. [PMID: 35756396 PMCID: PMC9207835 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-022-00867-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unpredicted pandemic disease COVID-19 first flared up adversely in Europe by imparting interminable force of infected and fatality cases to Italy. In late February 2020, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in northern Italy and swiftly proliferated to the entire country, albeit continuous to date (23 March 2022) with a lesser extent of deadliness. Current review focused on the invasions and the associated consequences by SARS-CoV-2 during the period of March 2020-March 2022. MAIN BODY OF THE ABSTRACT Initially, the lethality and transmissibility of the novel virus made Italy stunned within 1 month, the number of death cases reached 12,428 at the end of March 2020. The Italian Government announced an immediate emergency phase in entire country, educational institutions to local businesses, manufacturing works, cultural activities to elective activities were rescinded and all the hospitals to morgues were swamped, ensuing that fear of epidemic was impended. Besides, the Italian National Health System and Service coordinated massive public health interventions and conferred unprecedented efforts to limit the high mortality rate of the first wave of infection. Amidst 2 years of epidemic (as of 23 March 2022), Italy has documented 14,070,450 (23.74% of the population) confirmed infected cases, 12,685,306 (21.41% of the population) healed cases, 158,254 death cases (0.27% of the population) and ranking 9th worldwide in the number of deaths. SHORT CONCLUSION Based on publicly available Italian Ministry of Health COVID-19 data, current review has comprehended region-wise total infected cases, death cases and healed cases for three consecutive years 2020-2022 to foresee different patterns of the regional outbreak and gradual subservience. At a glance, we highlighted the overview of the exhaustion and exertion of COVID-19 crisis throughout the periods in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Akter Bhuiyan
- Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Department of Industrial Biotechnologies, Universita Degli Studi di Milano, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Sreyashi Brahmachari
- Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Department of Industrial Biotechnologies, Universita Degli Studi di Milano, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Israt Jahan Ripa
- Medical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutical, Veterinary and Medical Biotechnologies, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rashed Noor
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), School of Environment and Life Sciences (SELS), Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), Plot 16, Block B, Bashundhara, Dhaka, 1229 Bangladesh
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Yan M, Kang W, Guo Z, Wang Q, Wang PP, Zhu Y, Yang Y, Wang W. A novel analysis approach to determining the case fatality rate of COVID-19 in Italy. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 8:e32638. [PMID: 34963659 PMCID: PMC8834871 DOI: 10.2196/32638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which emerged in December 2019, has spread rapidly around the world and has become a serious public health event endangering human life. With regard to COVID-19, there are still many unknowns, such as the exact case fatality rate. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to explore the value of the discharged case fatality rate (DCFR) to make more accurate forecasts of epidemic trends the of COVID-19 in Italy. METHODS We retrieved the epidemiological data of COVID-19 in Italy published by the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. We then used the proportion of daily deaths and total deaths to calculate the discharged case fatality rate (tDCFR), monthly discharged case fatality rate (mDCFR), and stage discharged case fatality rate (sDCFR). Furthermore, we analyzed the trend in mDCFR between January and December 2020 using Joinpoint Regression Analysis and used the ArcGIS version 10.7 software to visualize the spatial distribution of epidemic case fatality rate and assigned different colors to each province based on the CFR or tDCFR. RESULTS We calculate the number and obtain the new index tDCFR and mDCFR for calculating the fatality rate. The results show that the overall trend of tDCFR and mDCFR fluctuates greatly from January to May. After reaching the peak, it first rises rapidly, then falls rapidly, and finally stabilizes. The map shows that the provinces with high tDCFR were Emilia-Romagna, Puglia and Lombardia. The change trend of mDCFR over time was divided into two stages, the first stage (from January to May) and the second stage (from June to December). Among the six selected countries, the United States has the highest tDCFR (4.26%), while the tDCFR of the remaining countries is between 0.98% and 2.72%. CONCLUSIONS We provide a new perspective for assessing the mortality of COVID-19 in Italy,which can use these ever-changing data to calculate a more accurate case fatality rate and scientifically predict the development trend of the epidemic. CLINICALTRIAL
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Yan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, CN.,The Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Health Inspection of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, CN
| | - Wenjun Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, CN.,The Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Health Inspection of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, CN
| | - Zhifeng Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, CN.,The Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Health Inspection of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, CN
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, CN.,Center for New Immigrant Wellbeing, Markham, CA
| | - Peizhong Peter Wang
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, CA.,Center for New Immigrant Wellbeing, Markham, CA
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, CN
| | - Yongli Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, CN
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, CN.,The Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Health Inspection of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, CN
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12
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Senia P, Vella F, Mucci N, Dounias G, Trovato A, Marconi A, Ledda C, Rapisarda V, Vitale E. Survey on COVID-19-related mortality associated with occupational infection during the first phase of the pandemic: A systematic review. Exp Ther Med 2021; 23:10. [PMID: 34815762 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in 2020, a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus 2 was reported in Wuhan, China. The present review examined the literature to reveal the incidence of novel coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19) infections, underlying comorbidities, workplace infections and case fatality rates. A review was performed to identify the relevant publications available up to May 15, 2020. Since the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the case fatality rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) has stood at 0.69% worldwide and 0.4% in Italy. Based on the current information, most patients have exhibited good prognoses in terms of after-effects or sequelae and low mortality rate. Patients that became critically ill were primarily in the elderly population or had chronic underlying diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. Among all working sectors, HCWs, since they are front-line caregivers for patients with COVID-19, are considered to be in the high-risk population. Increased age and a number of comorbidity factors have been associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19. The most frequent complications of COVID-19 reported that can cause fatality in patients were SARS, cardiac arrest, secondary infections and septic shock, in addition to acute kidney failure and liver failure. Overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing challenge, which poses a threat to global health that requires close surveillance and prompt diagnosis, in coordination with research efforts to understand this pathogen and develop effective countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Senia
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Vella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, I-50139 Florence, Italy
| | - George Dounias
- Department of Occupational & Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonio Trovato
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Marconi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Ermanno Vitale
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
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13
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Fioriti V, Chinnici M, Arbore A, Sigismondi N, Roselli I. Estimating the epidemic growth dynamics within the first week. Heliyon 2021; 7:e08422. [PMID: 34816052 PMCID: PMC8600919 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08422] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Information about the early growth of infectious outbreaks is indispensable to estimate the epidemic spreading. A large number of mathematical tools have been developed to this end, facing as much large number of different dynamic evolutions, ranging from sub-linear to super-exponential growth. Of course, the crucial point is that we do not have enough data during the initial outbreak phase to make reliable inferences. Here we propose a straightforward methodology to estimate the epidemic growth dynamic from the cumulative infected data of just a week, provided a surveillance system is available over the whole territory. The methodology, based on the Newcomb-Benford Law, is applied to the Italian covid 19 case-study. Results show that it is possible to discriminate the epidemic dynamics using the first seven data points collected in fifty Italian cities. Moreover, the most probable approximating function of the growth within a six-week epidemic scenario is identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Chinnici
- ENEA- C.R Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, 00123, Italy
| | | | | | - Ivan Roselli
- ENEA- C.R Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, 00123, Italy
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14
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Suppressa P, Pagella F, Lenato GM, Gaetani E, Serio I, Masala MS, Spinozzi G, Lizzio R, Matti E, De Silvestri A, Passali GC, Aguglia M, Crocione C, Sabbà C. Characterization of epidemiological distribution and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a nationwide retrospective multi-centre study during first wave in Italy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:378. [PMID: 34496900 PMCID: PMC8424156 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02000-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to have a devastating impact across the world. A number of pre-existing common clinical conditions were reported to represent risk factors for more severe COVID-19 outcomes. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare vascular heritable disorders, characterized by complications secondary to visceral Arterio-Venous Malformations. The impact of HHT, as well as for many Rare Diseases (RDs) on infection susceptibility profile and clinical adverse outcome risk is an unresolved issue. Objectives The main objectives were: to assess the clinical features and outcomes of HHT patients infected with COVID-19; to compare the relative infection risk in these patients with the Italian general population throughout the first pandemic wave; to investigate the factors potentially associated with severe COVID-19 outcome in HHT patients, and the possible impact of COVID-19 infection on HHT-related symptoms/complications. Finally, we aimed to estimate how the lockdown-associated wearing of personal protective equipment/individual protection devices could affect HHT-related telangiectasia bleeding frequency. Methods The study is a nation-wide questionnaire-based survey, with a multi-Center retrospective cross-sectional design, addressed to the whole Italian HHT population. COVID-19 cases, occurring throughout the first pandemic wave, were collected by a questionnaire-based semi-structured interview. Only the cases ascertained by laboratory confirmation (molecular/serological) were included for epidemiological estimates. Information concerning eventual SarS-Cov-2 infection, as well as regarding HHT-related manifestations and HHT-unrelated co-morbidities were collected by the questionnaire. Prevalence data were compared to Italian general population in the same period. Results The survey disclosed 9/296 (3.04%) COVID-19 cases, 8/9 of them being resident in Lombardy, the main epidemic epicenter. Pneumonia was reported by 4/9 patients, which prompted hospital admission and intensive care management in 2 cases. No fatal outcome was recorded. After careful refinement of epidemiological analysis, the survey evidenced overlapping infection risk in HHT compared to general population. Conclusions COVID-19 infection profile parallels geographical distribution of epidemic foci. COVID-19 in HHT patients can lead to highly variable clinical profile, likely overlapping with that of general population. The HHT disease does not seem to involve a different approach in terms of hospital admission and access to intensive care with respect to general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Suppressa
- DIM-Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, "Frugoni" Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Unit, HHT Interdepartmental Center, VascERN HHT Reference Center, Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Pagella
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gennaro Mariano Lenato
- DIM-Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, "Frugoni" Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Unit, HHT Interdepartmental Center, VascERN HHT Reference Center, Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gaetani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Multidisciplinary Gemelli Group for HHT, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Serio
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Spinozzi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberta Lizzio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elina Matti
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Silvestri
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulio Cesare Passali
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Multidisciplinary Gemelli Group for HHT, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Aguglia
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Lecce, Italy.,HHT Onlus Patient Association, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Sabbà
- DIM-Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, "Frugoni" Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Unit, HHT Interdepartmental Center, VascERN HHT Reference Center, Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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15
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Bodini A, Pasquali S, Pievatolo A, Ruggeri F. Underdetection in a stochastic SIR model for the analysis of the COVID-19 Italian epidemic. STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT : RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021; 36:137-155. [PMID: 34483725 PMCID: PMC8397881 DOI: 10.1007/s00477-021-02081-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We propose a way to model the underdetection of infected and removed individuals in a compartmental model for estimating the COVID-19 epidemic. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a stochastic SIR model, specified as a system of stochastic differential equations, to analyse data from the Italian COVID-19 epidemic. We find that a correct assessment of the amount of underdetection is important to obtain reliable estimates of the critical model parameters. The adaptation of the model in each time interval between relevant government decrees implementing contagion mitigation measures provides short-term predictions and a continuously updated assessment of the basic reproduction number.
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16
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Perevaryukha AY. A Continuous Model of Three Scenarios of the Infection Process with Delayed Immune Response Factors. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2021; 66:327-348. [PMID: 34230672 PMCID: PMC8252696 DOI: 10.1134/s0006350921020160] [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: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The course of an infection was modeled as a controlled nonlinear process. Understanding the substantial differences observed in the trajectory of the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is of critical importance at the moment. Numerous factors have been considered to explain the fact that symptoms vary highly among different people and the infection transmission rate varies among local populations. Virus replication within the host cell and the development of an immune response to virus antigens in the body are two interdependent processes, which have aftereffects and depend on the preexisting states of the cell and virus populations. Different scenarios with the same input parameters are necessary to consider for modeling the properties of the states. The efficiency of the immune response is the most important factor, including the time it takes to develop defense responses from three levels of the immune system, which is a complex system of the body. A computational description of infection scenarios was proposed on the basis of a delay differential equation with two values of the time lag. In the new model, transitions between phases of infectious disease depend on the initial virus dose and the delayed immune response to infection. A variation in the dose of the virus and response time can lead to a transition from an acute phase of the disease with overt symptoms to a chronic phase or fatal outcome. Asymptomatic transmission of viral infection was calculated and described in the model as a situation where the virus is rapidly and efficiently suppressed after a short replication phase, while still persisting in the body in minor amounts. An analysis of the model behavior is consistent with the theory that the initial number of virions can affect the quality of the immune response. The reasons that high individual differences are observed in the trajectory of COVID-19 disease and the formation of types of the immune response to coronavirus are still poorly understood. Known trajectories of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were used as a basis for model scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Yu. Perevaryukha
- St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 118178 St. Petersburg, Russia
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17
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Ramos AM, Ferrández MR, Vela-Pérez M, Kubik AB, Ivorra B. A simple but complex enough θ -SIR type model to be used with COVID-19 real data. Application to the case of Italy. PHYSICA D. NONLINEAR PHENOMENA 2021; 421:132839. [PMID: 33424064 PMCID: PMC7775262 DOI: 10.1016/j.physd.2020.132839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in China many models have appeared in the literature, trying to simulate its dynamics. Focusing on modeling the biological and sociological mechanisms which influence the disease spread, the basic reference example is the SIR model. However, it is too simple to be able to model those mechanisms (including the three main types of control measures: social distancing, contact tracing and health system measures) to fit real data and to simulate possible future scenarios. A question, then, arises: how much and how do we need to complexify a SIR model? We develop a θ -SEIHQRD model, which may be the simplest one satisfying the mentioned requirements for arbitrary territories and can be simplified in particular cases. We show its very good performance in the Italian case and study different future scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Ramos
- MOMAT Research Group, Interdisciplinary Mathematics Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - M R Ferrández
- Department of Computer Science, University of Almería, Spain
| | - M Vela-Pérez
- MOMAT Research Group, Interdisciplinary Mathematics Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - A B Kubik
- MOMAT Research Group, Interdisciplinary Mathematics Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - B Ivorra
- MOMAT Research Group, Interdisciplinary Mathematics Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
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18
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Kukushkina EA, Hossain SI, Sportelli MC, Ditaranto N, Picca RA, Cioffi N. Ag-Based Synergistic Antimicrobial Composites. A Critical Review. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1687. [PMID: 34199123 PMCID: PMC8306300 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The emerging problem of the antibiotic resistance development and the consequences that the health, food and other sectors face stimulate researchers to find safe and effective alternative methods to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm formation. One of the most promising and efficient groups of materials known for robust antimicrobial performance is noble metal nanoparticles. Notably, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been already widely investigated and applied as antimicrobial agents. However, it has been proposed to create synergistic composites, because pathogens can find their way to develop resistance against metal nanophases; therefore, it could be important to strengthen and secure their antipathogen potency. These complex materials are comprised of individual components with intrinsic antimicrobial action against a wide range of pathogens. One part consists of inorganic AgNPs, and the other, of active organic molecules with pronounced germicidal effects: both phases complement each other, and the effect might just be the sum of the individual effects, or it can be reinforced by the simultaneous application. Many organic molecules have been proposed as potential candidates and successfully united with inorganic counterparts: polysaccharides, with chitosan being the most used component; phenols and organic acids; and peptides and other agents of animal and synthetic origin. In this review, we overview the available literature and critically discuss the findings, including the mechanisms of action, efficacy and application of the silver-based synergistic antimicrobial composites. Hence, we provide a structured summary of the current state of the research direction and give an opinion on perspectives on the development of hybrid Ag-based nanoantimicrobials (NAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Kukushkina
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Syed Imdadul Hossain
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Sportelli
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Ditaranto
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosaria Anna Picca
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Cioffi
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; (E.A.K.); (S.I.H.); (M.C.S.); (N.D.); (R.A.P.)
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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19
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Estimating COVID-19 mortality in Italy early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2729. [PMID: 33980836 PMCID: PMC8115692 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22944-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating rates of COVID-19 infection and associated mortality is challenging due to uncertainties in case ascertainment. We perform a counterfactual time series analysis on overall mortality data from towns in Italy, comparing the population mortality in 2020 with previous years, to estimate mortality from COVID-19. We find that the number of COVID-19 deaths in Italy in 2020 until September 9 was 59,000–62,000, compared to the official number of 36,000. The proportion of the population that died was 0.29% in the most affected region, Lombardia, and 0.57% in the most affected province, Bergamo. Combining reported test positive rates from Italy with estimates of infection fatality rates from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, we estimate the infection rate as 29% (95% confidence interval 15–52%) in Lombardy, and 72% (95% confidence interval 36–100%) in Bergamo. Estimates of COVID-19-related mortality are limited by incomplete testing. Here, the authors perform counterfactual analyses and estimate that there were 59,000–62,000 deaths from COVID-19 in Italy until 9th September 2020, approximately 1.5 times higher than official statistics.
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20
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Evaluating Social Distancing Measures and Their Association with the Covid-19 Pandemic in South America. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi10030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Social distancing is a powerful non-pharmaceutical intervention used as a way to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus around the world since the end of 2019 in China. Taking that into account, this work aimed to identify variations on population mobility in South America during the pandemic (15 February to 27 October 2020). We used a data-driven approach to create a community mobility index from the Google Covid-19 Community Mobility and relate it to the Covid stringency index from Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). Two hypotheses were established: countries which have adopted stricter social distancing measures have also a lower level of circulation (H1), and mobility is occurring randomly in space (H2). Considering a transient period, a low capacity of governments to respond to the pandemic with more stringent measures of social distancing was observed at the beginning of the crisis. In turn, considering a steady-state period, the results showed an inverse relationship between the Covid stringency index and the community mobility index for at least three countries (H1 rejected). Regarding the spatial analysis, global and local Moran indices revealed regional mobility patterns for Argentina, Brazil, and Chile (H1 rejected). In Brazil, the absence of coordinated policies between the federal government and states regarding social distancing may have played an important role for several and extensive clusters formation. On the other hand, the results for Argentina and Chile could be signals for the difficulties of governments in keeping their population under control, and for long periods, even under stricter decrees.
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21
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Nagel A, Łaszewska A, Haidinger G, Simon J. The first 8 weeks of the Austrian SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 133:364-376. [PMID: 33523297 PMCID: PMC7848873 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-020-01804-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) reached Austria in February 2020. This study aims to describe the first 8 weeks of the Austrian epidemic and reflect on the potential mental health consequences as known at that time. Methods Data on Austrian Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) epidemiological indicators and number of tests were obtained from official registers. Relative risks (RRs) of infection and death from COVID-19 were calculated for sex and age groups (< 65 years and ≥ 65 years). Public health measures introduced to reduce the spread of COVID-19 were identified via online media research. A rapid review of initial evidence on mental health consequences of the pandemic was performed in PubMed and medRxiv. Results By 21 April 2020 the case count in Austria was 14,810 after a peak of new daily infections mid-March. The RR of death for age ≥ 65 years was 80.07 (95% confidence interval, CI 52.64–121.80; p < 0.0001) compared to those aged < 65 years. In men the RR of death was 1.44 (95% CI 1.20–1.73; p < 0.0001) compared to women. Wide-ranging public health measures included avoidance of case importation, limitation of social contacts, hygiene measures, testing, case tracking, and the call for COVID-19-related research. International rates of psychiatric symptoms during the initial lockdowns exceeded typical levels: anxiety (6%–51%), depression (17%–48%) and posttraumatic stress (5%–54%). Conclusion Data show great vulnerability of older people also in Austria. Severe mental health impacts can be expected with need for proper assessment of the long-term consequences of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nagel
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Agata Łaszewska
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Haidinger
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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22
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Cavallieri F, Sireci F, Fioravanti V, Toschi G, Rispoli V, Antonelli F, Costantini M, Ghirotto L, Valzania F. Parkinson's disease patients' needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a red zone: A framework analysis of open-ended survey questions. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:3254-3262. [PMID: 33460507 PMCID: PMC8014253 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background and purpose During the first phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic, a lockdown was imposed in Italy. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions, feelings and unmet needs of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who experienced the 2‐month lockdown in a “red zone” in the northern part of Italy during the COVID‐19 outbreak. Methods The study had a descriptive design that used a cross‐sectional online survey which included open‐ended questions to elicit responses on the participant's feelings concerning their risk of contracting coronavirus, how their physical activity had changed, and their personal needs, dictated by their condition, which were not met in this pandemic period as compared to previous periods. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive frequencies, while the open‐ended questions were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Results The study included 103 participants (63 men/40 women [61.17 vs. 38.83%]). Framework analysis led to the identification of four main themes: (i) fearing the risk of contracting coronavirus; (ii) reduction of physical activity; (iii) perception of the risk of not being able to access outpatient clinics or support services; and (iv) negative experiences of the important reduction in socialization. The perceptions of unmet needs appeared to be greater than the actual experience, particularly for the reduction in physical activity and the interruption of contacts with the neurologist and other specialists. Conclusions This study highlights how perceptions and actual experience shape the meaning of living with PD during the pandemic. Worth noting is the divergence between perceptions and real impact in some aspects of the COVID‐19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cavallieri
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Sireci
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Valentina Fioravanti
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Toschi
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Rispoli
- Neurology, Neuroscience, Head and Neck Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonelli
- Neurology, Neuroscience, Head and Neck Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Costantini
- Scientific Directorate, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luca Ghirotto
- Qualitative Research Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Franco Valzania
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Dettori M, Deiana G, Balletto G, Borruso G, Murgante B, Arghittu A, Azara A, Castiglia P. Air pollutants and risk of death due to COVID-19 in Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110459. [PMID: 33188767 PMCID: PMC7657007 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The present work aims to study the role of air pollutants in relation to the number of deaths per each Italian province affected by COVID-19. To do that, specific mortality from COVID-19 has been standardized for each Italian province and per age group (10 groups) ranging from 0 to 9 years to >90 years, based on the 2019 national population figures. The link between air pollutants and COVID-19 mortality among Italian provinces was studied implementing a linear regression model, whereas the wide set of variables were examined by means of LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation), relating the spatial component of COVID-19 related data with a mix of environmental variables as explanatory variables. As results, in some provinces, namely the Western Po Valley provinces, the SMR (Standardized Mortality Ratio) is much higher than expected, and the presence of PM10 was independently associated with the case status. Furthermore, the results for LISA on SMR and PM10 demonstrate clusters of high-high values in the wide Metropolitan area of Milan and the Po Valley area respectively, with a certain level of overlap of the two distributions in the area strictly considered Milan. In conclusion, this research appears to find elements to confirm the existence of a link between pollution and the risk of death due to the disease, in particular, considering land take and air pollution, this latter referred to particulate (PM10). For this reason, we can reiterate the need to act in favour of policies aimed at reducing pollutants in the atmosphere, by means of speeding up the already existing plans and policies, targeting all sources of atmospheric pollution: industries, home heating and traffic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dettori
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Deiana
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ginevra Balletto
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Borruso
- Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics "Bruno de Finetti", University of Trieste, 34124, Trieste, Italy.
| | | | - Antonella Arghittu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria di Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Azara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria di Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Paolo Castiglia
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria di Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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How to manage with telemedicine people with neuromuscular diseases? Neurol Sci 2021; 42:3553-3559. [PMID: 34173087 PMCID: PMC8232560 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 pandemic radically transformed our daily clinical practice, raising the need not to lose close contact with patients without being able to see them face-to-face. These issues are even more felt and evident in fragile patients, as those affected by neuromuscular disease. An important help came from new digital technologies that allow clinicians to remotely monitor health status and any deterioration of chronically ill patients. METHODS In this mini-review, an initiative of the "Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group" of the Italian Society of Neurology, we propose to analyze the approach to neuromuscular patients by looking over raising evidence on the main cornerstones of Telemedicine (TM): clinician-patient interaction, remote clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and digital therapeutics. In particular, we explored the strategies developed by researchers and their impact on the physical and emotional status of the patients, with particular focusing on their adherence to the program of virtual monitoring. RESULTS TM plays an important role in each of four stages of approach to neuromuscular disease, having demonstrated validity in keep close clinical patient interaction, clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and telerehabilitation. Nevertheless, there is no remote alternative to electrophysiological testing neither validate tools to assess disability. CONCLUSION The role of TM in neuromuscular care is yet underestimated but is crucial, beyond the pandemic era. Further development of TM is advisable, through making specific apps, remotely controlled by clinicians, and making more engaging clinicians-patients interaction. Last, it is necessary to ensure adequate internet access to everyone.
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Rosolanka R, Henao-Martinez AF, Pisney L, Franco-Paredes C, Krsak M. COVID-19: a review of current knowledge regarding exposure, quarantine, isolation and other preventive measures. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:20499361211032039. [PMID: 34349986 PMCID: PMC8287266 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211032039] [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: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Deeper understanding of the spread, morbidity, fatality, and development of immune response associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is necessary in order to establish an appropriate epidemiological and clinical response. Exposure control represents a key part of the combat against COVID-19, as the effectiveness of current therapeutic options remains partial. Since the preventive measures have not been sufficiently able to slow down this pandemic, in this article we explore some of the pertinent knowledge gaps, while overall looking to effective vaccination strategies as a way out. Early on, such strategies may need to rely on counting the convalescents as protected in order to speed up the immunization of the whole population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Rosolanka
- Department of Infectology and Travel Medicine, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kollárova 2, Martin, 036 01, Slovakia
| | | | - Larissa Pisney
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gomez, México City, México
| | - Martin Krsak
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Guerriero M, Bisoffi Z, Poli A, Micheletto C, Conti A, Pomari C. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, Verona, Italy, April-May 2020. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 27. [PMID: 33261716 PMCID: PMC7774528 DOI: 10.3201/eid2701.202740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We used random sampling to estimate the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Verona, Italy. Of 1,515 participants, 2.6% tested positive by serologic assay and 0.7% by reverse transcription PCR. We used latent class analysis to estimate a 3.0% probability of infection and 2.0% death rate.
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27
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De Natale G, De Natale L, Troise C, Marchitelli V, Coviello A, Holmberg KG, Somma R. The Evolution of Covid-19 in Italy after the Spring of 2020: An Unpredicted Summer Respite Followed by a Second Wave. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238708. [PMID: 33255181 PMCID: PMC7727657 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was particularly invasive in Italy during the period between March and late April 2020, then decreased in both the number of infections and in the seriousness of the illness throughout the summer of 2020. In this work, we measure the severity of the disease by the ratio of Intensive Care Units (ICU) spaces occupied by COVID-19 patients and the number of Active Cases (AC) each month from April to October 2020. We also use the ratio of the number of Deaths (D) to the number of Active Cases. What clearly emerges, from rigorous statistical analysis, is a progressive decrease in both ratios until August, indicating progressive mitigation of the disease. This is particularly evident when comparing March-April with July-August; during the summer period the two ratios became roughly 18 times lower. We test such sharp decreases against possible bias in counting active cases and we confirm their statistical significance. We then interpret such evidence in terms of the well-known seasonality of the human immune system and the virus-inactivating effect of stronger UV rays in the summer. Both ratios, however, increased again in October, as ICU/AC began to increase in September 2020. These ratios and the exponential growth of infections in October indicate that the virus-if not contained by strict measures-will lead to unsustainable challenges for the Italian health system in the winter of 2020-2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Natale
- INGV, Osservatorio Vesuviano, 80124 Naples, Italy; (G.D.N.); (C.T.)
- CNR-INO, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo De Natale
- Medical School, Università Degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Claudia Troise
- INGV, Osservatorio Vesuviano, 80124 Naples, Italy; (G.D.N.); (C.T.)
- CNR-INO, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vito Marchitelli
- Department of Mobility, Public Works, Ecology, Environment, Puglia Region Government, 70100 Bari, Italy;
| | | | - Karen G. Holmberg
- Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;
| | - Renato Somma
- INGV, Osservatorio Vesuviano, 80124 Naples, Italy; (G.D.N.); (C.T.)
- CNR-IRISS, 80134 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-610-8515
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Faranda D, Alberti T. Modeling the second wave of COVID-19 infections in France and Italy via a stochastic SEIR model. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2020; 30:111101. [PMID: 33261336 DOI: 10.1063/5.0015943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has forced quarantine measures in several countries across the world. These measures have proven to be effective in significantly reducing the prevalence of the virus. To date, no effective treatment or vaccine is available. In the effort of preserving both public health and the economical and social textures, France and Italy governments have partially released lockdown measures. Here, we extrapolate the long-term behavior of the epidemic in both countries using a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model, where parameters are stochastically perturbed with a lognormal distribution to handle the uncertainty in the estimates of COVID-19 prevalence and to simulate the presence of super-spreaders. Our results suggest that uncertainties in both parameters and initial conditions rapidly propagate in the model and can result in different outcomes of the epidemic leading or not to a second wave of infections. Furthermore, the presence of super-spreaders adds instability to the dynamics, making the control of the epidemic more difficult. Using actual knowledge, asymptotic estimates of COVID-19 prevalence can fluctuate of the order of 10×106 units in both countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Faranda
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, CEA Saclay l'Orme des Merisiers, UMR 8212 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay & IPSL, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Tommaso Alberti
- INAF-Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy
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29
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Nyabadza F, Chirove F, Chukwu CW, Visaya MV. Modelling the Potential Impact of Social Distancing on the COVID-19 Epidemic in South Africa. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2020; 2020:5379278. [PMID: 33178332 PMCID: PMC7647790 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5379278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a global health problem whose impact has been significantly felt in South Africa. With the global spread increasing and infecting millions, containment efforts by countries have largely focused on lockdowns and social distancing to minimise contact between persons. Social distancing has been touted as the best form of response in managing a rapid increase in the number of infected cases. In this paper, we present a deterministic model to describe the impact of social distancing on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in South Africa. The model is fitted to data from March 5 to April 13, 2020, on the cumulative number of infected cases, and a scenario analysis on different levels of social distancing is presented. The model shows that with the levels of social distancing under the initial lockdown level between March 26 and April 13, 2020, there would be a projected continued rise in the number of infected cases. The model also looks at the impact of relaxing the social distancing measures after the initial announcement of the lockdown. It is shown that relaxation of social distancing by 2% can result in a 23% rise in the number of cumulative cases whilst an increase in the level of social distancing by 2% would reduce the number of cumulative cases by about 18%. The model results accurately predicted the number of cases after the initial lockdown level was relaxed towards the end of April 2020. These results have implications on the management and policy direction in the early phase of the epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Nyabadza
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Department, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, PO Box 524, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - F. Chirove
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Department, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, PO Box 524, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C. W. Chukwu
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Department, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, PO Box 524, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M. V. Visaya
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Department, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, PO Box 524, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
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Codagnone C, Bogliacino F, Gómez C, Charris R, Montealegre F, Liva G, Lupiáñez-Villanueva F, Folkvord F, Veltri GA. Assessing concerns for the economic consequence of the COVID-19 response and mental health problems associated with economic vulnerability and negative economic shock in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240876. [PMID: 33108374 PMCID: PMC7591048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many different countries have been under lockdown or extreme social distancing measures to control the spread of COVID-19. The potentially far-reaching side effects of these measures have not yet been fully understood. In this study we analyse the results of a multi-country survey conducted in Italy (N = 3,504), Spain (N = 3,524) and the United Kingdom (N = 3,523), with two separate analyses. In the first analysis, we examine the elicitation of citizens' concerns over the downplaying of the economic consequences of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. We control for Social Desirability Bias through a list experiment included in the survey. In the second analysis, we examine the data from the same survey to predict the level of stress, anxiety and depression associated with being economically vulnerable and having been affected by a negative economic shock. To accomplish this, we have used a prediction algorithm based on machine learning techniques. To quantify the size of this affected population, we compare its magnitude with the number of people affected by COVID-19 using measures of susceptibility, vulnerability and behavioural change collected in the same questionnaire. We find that the concern for the economy and for "the way out" of the lockdown is diffuse and there is evidence of minor underreporting. Additionally, we estimate that around 42.8% of the populations in the three countries are at high risk of stress, anxiety, and depression, based on their level of economic vulnerability and their exposure to a negative economic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Codagnone
- Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Open Evidence Research, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Information and Communication Science, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Bogliacino
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Camilo Gómez
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rafael Charris
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Montealegre
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva
- Open Evidence Research, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Information and Communication Science, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frans Folkvord
- Open Evidence Research, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, Bogotá, Colombia
- Tillburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tillburg, The Netherlands
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Guerriero M, Bisoffi Z, Poli A, Micheletto C, Pomari C. Prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals in the general population of northern Italy and evaluation of a diagnostic serological ELISA test: a cross-sectional study protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040036. [PMID: 33028562 PMCID: PMC7539547 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As of 30 April 2020, the novel betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 had infected more than 3 172 000 individuals, killing over 224 000 people and spreading to more than 200 countries. Italy was the most affected country in Europe and the third most affected in the world in terms of the number of cases. Therefore, the aims of this study are: (1) to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals among the general population of Verona; (2) to assess the accuracy (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) of an ELISA serological test for the screening of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study will be carried out on a random sample of subjects aged at least 10 years from the general population of Verona. Participants will undergo the measurement of vital parameters (oxygen saturation measured by oximeter, respiratory rate and body temperature detected by laser thermometer), the administration of a COVID-19-related symptoms questionnaire, the collection of a blood sample and a nasopharyngeal swab. Our evaluation will include the statistical technique of Latent Class Analysis, which will be the basis for the estimation of prevalence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Verona and Rovigo provinces on 15 April 2020 (internal protocol number 2641CESC). The study results will be submitted for publication in international, peer-reviewed journals and the complete dataset will be deposited in a public repository. Most relevant data will be made available to policy-makers as well as disseminated to stakeholders and to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Guerriero
- Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Albino Poli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Micheletto
- Unit of Pneumology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carlo Pomari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Pneumology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
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Ramirez GA, Gerosa M, Beretta L, Bellocchi C, Argolini LM, Moroni L, Della Torre E, Artusi C, Nicolosi S, Caporali R, Bozzolo EP, Dagna L. COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus: Data from a survey on 417 patients. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020; 50:1150-1157. [PMID: 32927376 PMCID: PMC7836639 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease characterised by autoimmunity and increased susceptibility to infections. COVID-19 is a systemic viral disease currently spreading as a pandemic. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 in patients with SLE. OBJECTIVE to acquire information on the impact of COVID-19 in SLE. METHODS A 26-item anonymous questionnaire investigating demographics, SLE clinical features, COVID-19 diagnoses and changes in treatments and daily habits was administered to patients with SLE from three referral centres through www.surveymonkey.com over 10 days. Data from the survey were compared to those from published estimates about the general population. RESULTS Four-hundred-seventeen patients responded to the survey. More than 60% of subjects complained of symptoms that are also associated to COVID-19. Fourteen COVID-19 diagnoses (five confirmed by polymerase chain reaction) were reported, in contrast to a 0.73% prevalence of confirmed cases in Lombardy. One hospitalisation was reported. Fever, anosmia, dry cough, a self-reported history of neuropsychiatric SLE and a recent contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases were more strongly associated with COVID-19, as were symptoms and lower compliance to behavioural preventive measures in patients' contacts. No protective effect was seen in subjects on hydroxychloroquine. CONCLUSION COVID-19 morbidity might only moderately be increased in most patients with SLE, although limited information can be inferred on more severe cases. Hydroxychloroquine apparently seems not to confer protection to infection per se, although other beneficial roles cannot be excluded. Containment policies and behavioural preventive measures could have a major role in limiting the impact of COVID-19 in patients with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe A Ramirez
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Department of Clinical Science of Community Health and Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Gaetano Pini -CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellocchi
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza M Argolini
- Department of Clinical Science of Community Health and Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Gaetano Pini -CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Moroni
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuel Della Torre
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Carolina Artusi
- Department of Clinical Science of Community Health and Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Gaetano Pini -CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Selene Nicolosi
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Department of Clinical Science of Community Health and Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Gaetano Pini -CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica P Bozzolo
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Fiorillo A, Sampogna G, Giallonardo V, Del Vecchio V, Luciano M, Albert U, Carmassi C, Carrà G, Cirulli F, Dell’Osso B, Nanni MG, Pompili M, Sani G, Tortorella A, Volpe U. Effects of the lockdown on the mental health of the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: Results from the COMET collaborative network. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 63:e87. [PMID: 32981568 PMCID: PMC7556907 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented traumatic event influencing the healthcare, economic, and social welfare systems worldwide. In order to slow the infection rates, lockdown has been implemented almost everywhere. Italy, one of the countries most severely affected, entered the "lockdown" on March 8, 2020. METHODS The COvid Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) network includes 10 Italian university sites and the National Institute of Health. The whole study has three different phases. The first phase includes an online survey conducted between March and May 2020 in the Italian population. Recruitment took place through email invitation letters, social media, mailing lists of universities, national medical associations, and associations of stakeholders (e.g., associations of users/carers). In order to evaluate the impact of lockdown on depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, multivariate linear regression models were performed, weighted for the propensity score. RESULTS The final sample consisted of 20,720 participants. Among them, 12.4% of respondents (N = 2,555) reported severe or extremely severe levels of depressive symptoms, 17.6% (N = 3,627) of anxiety symptoms and 41.6% (N = 8,619) reported to feel at least moderately stressed by the situation at the DASS-21.According to the multivariate regression models, the depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms significantly worsened from the week April 9-15 to the week April 30 to May 4 (p < 0.0001). Moreover, female respondents and people with pre-existing mental health problems were at higher risk of developing severe depression and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Although physical isolation and lockdown represent essential public health measures for containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are a serious threat for mental health and well-being of the general population. As an integral part of COVID-19 response, mental health needs should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Del Vecchio
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste and Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina – ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell’Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco and Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Nanni
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Umberto Volpe
- Clinical Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Giuliani D, Dickson MM, Espa G, Santi F. Modelling and predicting the spatio-temporal spread of cOVID-19 in Italy. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:700. [PMID: 32967639 PMCID: PMC7509829 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05415-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in China at the end of 2019 and it has since spread in few months all over the World. Italy was one of the first Western countries who faced the health emergency and is one of the countries most severely affected by the pandemic. The diffusion of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy has followed a peculiar spatial pattern, however the attention of the scientific community has so far focussed almost exclusively on the prediction of the evolution of the disease over time. Methods Official freely available data about the number of infected at the finest possible level of spatial areal aggregation (Italian provinces) are used to model the spatio-temporal distribution of COVID-19 infections at local level. An endemic-epidemic time-series mixed-effects generalized linear model for areal disease counts has been implemented to understand and predict spatio-temporal diffusion of the phenomenon. Results Three subcomponents characterize the fitted model. The first describes the transmission of the illness within provinces; the second accounts for the transmission between nearby provinces; the third is related to the evolution of the disease over time. At the local level, the provinces first concerned by containment measures are those that are not affected by the effects of spatial neighbours. On the other hand, the component accounting for the spatial interaction with surrounding areas is prevalent for provinces that are strongly involved by contagions. Moreover, the proposed model provides good forecasts for the number of infections at local level while controlling for delayed reporting. Conclusions A strong evidence is found that strict control measures implemented in some provinces efficiently break contagions and limit the spread to nearby areas. While containment policies may potentially be more effective if planned considering the peculiarities of local territories, the effective and homogeneous enforcement of control measures at national level is needed to prevent the disease control being delayed or missed as a whole. This may also apply at international level where, as it is for the European Union or the United States, the internal border checks among states have largely been abolished.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Giuliani
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Trento, Via V. Inama 5, Trento, 38122, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Dickson
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Trento, Via V. Inama 5, Trento, 38122, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Espa
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Trento, Via V. Inama 5, Trento, 38122, Italy
| | - Flavio Santi
- Department of Economics, University of Verona, Via Cantarane 24, Verona, 37129, Italy
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Al-Shamrani A, Al-Harbi AS, Alhaider SA, Alharbi S, Al-Harbi NS, Alanazi A, Al Ahmadi TS. Approach to childhood asthma in the era of COVID-19: The official statement endorsed by the Saudi Pediatric Pulmonology Association (SPPA). Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med 2020; 7:103-106. [PMID: 32838011 PMCID: PMC7354375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that infect humans, which may result in mild symptoms similar to those of the common cold. COVID-19 is most recent subtype similar or even worse than the two previous pandemic strains which were the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The first cases of COVID-19 emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus causing the disease has infected more than four million people around the globe and led to hundreds of thousands deaths. We think addressing the management of asthma in the era of this pandemic is important for several reasons: high prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia, further, majorities were uncontrolled disease. The statement will provide special instructions and answers to common questions of physicians dealing with asthmatic children during this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Shamrani
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military City, Ministry of Defense, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel S Al-Harbi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military City, Ministry of Defense, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - S A Alhaider
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Department of Pediatrics, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alharbi
- Department of Pediatrics, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser S Al-Harbi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alnashmi Alanazi
- Security Forces Hospital, Department of Pediatric, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki S Al Ahmadi
- College of Medicine, Pediatric Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Caldera-Villalobos C, Garza-Veloz I, Martínez-Avila N, Delgado-Enciso I, Ortiz-Castro Y, Cabral-Pacheco GA, Martinez-Fierro ML. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Challenge in Mexico: A Critical and Forced Reflection as Individuals and Society. Front Public Health 2020; 8:337. [PMID: 32671012 PMCID: PMC7332544 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Caldera-Villalobos
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Idalia Garza-Veloz
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Nadia Martínez-Avila
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | | | - Yolanda Ortiz-Castro
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Griselda A Cabral-Pacheco
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Margarita L Martinez-Fierro
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
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Passerini G, Mancinelli E, Morichetti M, Virgili S, Rizza U. A Preliminary Investigation on the Statistical Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 Spread and Local Meteorology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4051. [PMID: 32517160 PMCID: PMC7312788 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The statistical correlation between meteorological parameters and the spread of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) was investigated in five provinces of Italy selected according to the number of infected individuals and the different trends of infection in the early stages of the epidemic: Bergamo and Brescia showed some of the highest trends of infections while nearby Cremona and Mantova, showed lower trends. Pesaro-Urbino province was included for further investigation as it was comparably affected by the epidemic despite being the area far from the Po valley. Moving means of the variables were considered to take into account the variability of incubation periods and uncertainties in the epidemiological data. The same analyzes were performed normalizing the number of new daily cases based on the number of checks performed. For each province, the moving mean of adjusted and unadjusted new daily cases were independently plotted versus each meteorological parameter, and linear regressions were determined in the period from 29th of February 2020 to 29th of March 2020. Strong positive correlations were observed between new cases and temperatures within three provinces representing 86.5% of the contagions. Strong negative correlations were observed between the moving means of new cases and relative humidity values for four provinces and more than 90% of the contagions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Passerini
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (G.P.); (S.V.)
| | - Enrico Mancinelli
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (G.P.); (S.V.)
| | - Mauro Morichetti
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (U.R.)
| | - Simone Virgili
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (G.P.); (S.V.)
| | - Umberto Rizza
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (U.R.)
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Kibuuka BGL. Complicity and Synergy Between Bolsonaro and Brazilian Evangelicals in COVID-19 Times: Adherence to Scientific Negationism for Political-Religious Reasons. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATIN AMERICAN RELIGIONS 2020; 4:288-317. [PMCID: PMC7546522 DOI: 10.1007/s41603-020-00124-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the article discusses how a large part of the Brazilian evangelical churches resorted to informational disorder and disinformation as instruments to deny the severity of the disease. It also discusses how the production, endorsement, and support of false news served to establish a support platform for the President of the Republic of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, with emphasis on the month of March, when the pandemic hit Brazil, until mid-April 2020, when religious leaders joined Bolsonaro in an Easter celebration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Gordon Lutalo Kibuuka
- Department of Human Sciences and Philosophy, Nina Simone Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, Brazil
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