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Shoaib N, Munir R. Cycle threshold (Ct)values of SARS-CoV2 vary with the type of symptoms and comorbidities of the patients. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:851. [PMID: 39052089 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09804-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature depicts no association of cycle threshold values for SARS-CoV-2 with the patient's demographics or clinical history. However, the severity of the COVID-19 symptoms showed some associations with Ct values in previous studies. We aimed to study the relationship of Ct values with type of the symptoms and comorbidities of the patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the individuals (n = 8660) that consulted a private diagnostic center for COVID-19 testing. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from the patients and SARS-CoV-2 was detected by RT-PCR assays using Sansure Biotech kit. Clinical and demographic information was collected by the attending healthcare professional. The differences between groups were analyzed by t-test (unpaired). P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We found that the mean age of asymptomatic patients (41.47 ± 17.01 years) and symptomatic patients (47.75 ± 17.51) varies significantly (p value < 0.0001). Among the most prevalent symptoms were fever (77.74%) and cough (66.46%). The Ct values of COVID-19 patients with symptoms (25.70 for Orf1ab, 24.25 for N gene) were significantly lower than the Ct values of the patients without symptoms (28.99 for Orf1ab, 28.17 for N gene) (p value < 0.0001). Patients having co-occurrence of cough with fever (24.67 for Orf1ab, 22.86 for N gene) and solely fever (25.12 for Orf1ab, 24.01 for N gene) showed significantly lower Ct values than the patients without symptoms (28.99 for Orf1ab, 28.17 for N gene, p value < 0.0001). However, this difference was independent of patients sex and dependent upon patient's age and SARS-CoV-2 detected gene. The most prevalent comorbidities among COVID-19 patients were blood pressure (64.7%) and diabetes (50.5%). The patients having blood pressure and diabetes together showed significantly lower Ct values (23.37 for Orf1ab, 23.33 for N gene) than patients without comorbidities (27.65 for Orf1ab, 26.75 for N gene, p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION We conclude that the Ct values of the SARS-CoV-2 detected gene (either Orf1ab or N) is associated with the types of symptoms and comorbidities of the COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, the relationship between Ct values and symptomology or comorbidity of the patients is independent of patient's sex but dependent upon patient's age and SARS-CoV-2 detected gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Shoaib
- Cancer Biology Lab, Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG), University of the Punjab, Quid-e-Azam campus, PO Box No. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Cancer Research Centre (CRC), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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Inam A, Mushtaq A, Zaman S, Wasif S, Noor M, Khan HA. Vaccine hesitancy and post-vaccination adherence to safety measures: A mixed-method study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1072740. [PMID: 37064699 PMCID: PMC10102652 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1072740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDespite being recognized as one of the most successful public health measures, vaccination is still considered to be unnecessary and unreliable in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study utilized a two-pronged approach in analyzing vaccine hesitancy and health behaviors after vaccination by employing a mixed-method design. Phase 1 was aimed at identifying predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among the Pakistani population using protection motivation theory (PMT), whereas Phase 2 was aimed at exploring the factors related to the vaccination of COVID-19.MethodA convenient sample of 1,736 individuals from the vaccine-eligible population (12 years and above) was selected to collect data on vaccine hesitancy and acceptance (Phase 1). Phase 2 of the study explored post-vaccination health behaviors, especially adherence to safety measures for COVID-19, through 23 in-depth interviews with the vaccinated population.ResultsMultiple regression analyses showed that response cost is a major predictor of vaccine hesitancy (in Phase 1). In terms of the role of demographic variables, the results showed that being male (for severity: B = −0.481; threat appraisal: B = −0.737), old age (B = −0.044), not vaccinated, and not infected with COVID-19 (themselves and family members) are strongly associated with vaccination hesitancy. Results of thematic analysis in Phase 2 revealed that perceived individual experience and insensitivity toward the severity of the disease are strongly associated with a lack of adherence to safety measures of COVID-19. Faith and religious beliefs and reliance on traditional remedies are also key predictors of people's general non-compliance to health behaviors. One interesting aspect that was revealed in the analysis was the general financially and socially destabilized situation in the context of developing countries that contributed to general apathy in the pandemic situation.ConclusionThe findings of the current study may help in devising a health model for the public from the developing world to deal with future pandemic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Inam
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Asia Mushtaq
- Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Asia Mushtaq
| | - Sahira Zaman
- Department of Gender Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Samia Wasif
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mah Noor
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hania Asghar Khan
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Damiri S, Shojaee A, Dehghani M, Shahali Z, Abbasi S, Daroudi R. National geographical pattern of COVID-19 hospitalization, case fatalities, and associated factors in patients covered by Iran Health Insurance Organization. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1274. [PMID: 35773657 PMCID: PMC9243909 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the Spatio-temporal distribution and interpersonal comparisons are important tools in etiological studies. This study was conducted to investigate the temporal and geographical distribution of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the Iran Health Insurance Organization (IHIO) insured population (the second largest social health insurance organization) and the factors affecting their case fatality rate (CFR). METHODS In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, the demographic and clinical data of all insured of the IHIO who were hospitalized with COVID-19 in hospitals across the country until March 2021 was extracted from the comprehensive system of handling the inpatient documents of this organization. The Excel 2019 and GeoDA software were used for descriptive reporting and geographical distribution of variables. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the Odds Ratio (OR) of death in patients with COVID-19 using STATA 14 software. RESULTS During the first 14 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran, 0.72% of the IHIO insured (303,887 individuals) were hospitalized with COVID-19. Hospitalization per 100,000 people varied from 192.51 in East Azerbaijan to 1,277.49 in Yazd province. The overall CFR in hospitalized patients was 14%. Tehran and Kohgiluyeh & BoyerAhmad provinces had the highest and lowest CFR with 19.39% and 5.19%, respectively. The highest odds of death were in those over 80 years old people (OR = 9.65), ICU-admitted (OR = 7.49), Hospitalized in governmental hospitals (OR = 2.08), Being a foreign national (OR = 1.45), hospitalized in November (OR = 1.47) and Residence in provinces such as Sistan & Baluchestan (OR = 1.47) and Razavi Khorasan (OR = 1.66) respectively. Furthermore, the odds of death were lower in females (OR = 0.81) than in males. CONCLUSIONS A sound understanding of the primary causes of COVID-19 death and severity in different groups can be the basis for developing programs focused on more vulnerable groups in order to manage the crisis more effectively and benefit from resources more efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Damiri
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Ave., Tehran, 1417613191, Iran
| | - Ali Shojaee
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Ave., Tehran, 1417613191, Iran
- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Dehghani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahali
- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran
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Shahzad S, Kliewer W, Bano N, Begum N, Ali Z. The Impact of COVID-19 on Distress Tolerance in Pakistani Men and Women. Front Psychol 2022; 13:852121. [PMID: 35747680 PMCID: PMC9209777 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.852121] [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: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that spread across the world, bringing with it serious mental health problems for men and women. Women in Pakistan are infected with COVID-19 at a much lower rate than men, yet report worse mental health. To explain this paradox, we surveyed 190 participants (46% male) shortly following the country lockdown, focusing on perceptions of the COVID-19 impact and positive adjustment. Measures used in this study included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and Distress Tolerance Scale. Factor analysis revealed five distinct areas related to COVID-19, which did not differ by sex. However, men reported higher levels of both distress tolerance and well-being than women. High endorsement of actions to protect against COVID-19 was related to lower distress tolerance scores, but in different ways for men and women. Men, but not women, who endorsed more protective measures to stop the pandemic reported higher DTS absorption scores, and therefore being more consumed by distress; women who endorsed more protective measures to stop the pandemic reported less acceptance of distress than men, as reflected in DTS appraisal scores. An in-depth analysis of women’s beliefs and behaviors related to COVID-19 is warranted to understand why Pakistani women who are infected with COVID-19 at lower rates than men show more mental health symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Shahzad
- Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Salman Shahzad,
| | - Wendy Kliewer
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nasreen Bano
- Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nasreen Begum
- Department of Applied Psychology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zulfiqar Ali
- Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Rahman MM, Ahmed M, Islam MT, Khan MR, Sultana S, Maeesa SK, Hasan S, Hossain MA, Ferdous KS, Mathew B, Rauf A, Uddin MS. Nanotechnology-Based Approaches and Investigational Therapeutics against COVID-19. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 28:948-968. [PMID: 34218774 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210701150315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus which is currently responsible for the global pandemic since December 2019. This class of coronavirus has affected 217 countries around the world. Most of the countries have taken some non-remedial preventive actions like country lockdown, work from home, travel bans, and the most significant one is social isolation. Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, technologists, and all other healthcare professionals are playing a pivotal role during this pandemic. Unluckily, there is no specific drug that can treat patients who are confirmed with COVID-19, though favipiravir and remdesivir have appeared as favorable antiviral drugs. Some vaccines have already developed, and vaccination has started worldwide. Different nanotechnologies are in the developing stage in many countries for preventing SARS-COV-2 and treating COVID-19 conditions. In this article, we review the COVID-19 pandemic situation as well as the nanotechnology-based approaches and investigational therapeutics against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mominur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Muniruddin Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Touhidul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Md Robin Khan
- Bangladesh Reference Institute for Chemical Measurements, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Sharifa Sultana
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Saila Kabir Maeesa
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Sakib Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Md Abid Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Kazi Sayma Ferdous
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
| | - Bijo Mathew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi 682041, India
| | - Abdur Rauf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Swabi, Anbar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bangladesh
| | - Md Sahab Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka. Bangladesh
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