Project description:BackgroundLong COVID-19 syndrome is a complex of symptoms that occurs after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, in the absence of other possible diagnoses. Studies on Long COVID-19 in pediatric population are scanty and heterogeneous in design, inclusion criteria, outcomes, and follow-up time. The objective of the present study is to assess the prevalence of Long COVID-19 syndrome in a cohort of Italian pediatric primary care patients, observed for a period of time of 8 to 36 weeks from healing. Prevalence was also assessed in a cohort of pediatric patients hospitalized during acute infection.MethodsData concerning 629 primary care patients with previous acute SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected by a questionnaire filled in by Primary Care Pediatrician (PCP). The questionnaire was administrated to patients by 18 PCPs based in 8 different Italian regions from June to August 2021. Data concerning 60 hospitalized patients were also collected by consultation of clinical documents.ResultsCumulative incidence of Long COVID-19 resulted to be 24.3% in primary care patients and 58% in hospitalized patients. The most frequently reported symptoms were abnormal fatigue (7%), neurological (6.8%), and respiratory disorders (6%) for the primary care cohort. Hospitalized patients displayed more frequently psychological symptoms (36.7%), cardiac involvement (23.3%), and respiratory disorders (18.3%). No difference was observed in cumulative incidence in males and females in both cohorts. Previous diseases did not influence the probability to develop Long COVID-19. The prevalence of Long COVID-19 was 46.5% in children who were symptomatic during acute infection and 11.5% in asymptomatic ones. Children aged 0 to 5 years had a greater risk to develop respiratory symptoms, while adolescents (aged 11-16 years) had a greater risk to develop neurological and psychological Long COVID-19 symptoms.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that Long COVID-19 is a reality in pediatric age and could involve even patients with mild or no acute symptoms. The results stress the importance of monitoring primary care pediatric patients after acute COVID-19 infection and the relevance of vaccination programs in pediatric population, also in order to avoid the consequences of Long COVID-19 syndrome.
Project description:Social distancing, self-isolation, quarantining, and lockdowns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have been common restrictions as governments have attempted to limit the rapid virus transmission. In this study, we identified drivers of adverse mental and behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether factors such as social isolation and various restrictions serve as additional stressors for different age groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted on a unique dataset based on a national probability-based survey dedicated to understanding the impact of COVID-19 in the U.S., which includes 19 questions on the individual impact of restrictions, bans, and closures. The analysis used a moderate distress scale built on five questions related to mental health for 3,646 respondents. The mental health of young adults (18-34 years old) was the most affected by restrictions, while that of older adults (>55 years old) was less affected. In addition, demographic and health characteristics associated with differences in mental health varied by age group. The findings in this analysis highlight the differential mental health needs of different age groups and point to the marked necessity for differentiated and targeted responses to the mental health effects of COVID-19 by age group.
Project description:ObjectivesThis study aimed to understand how politics, economics, and public health restrictions affected each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe use seemingly unrelated regressions on a monthly data set of government approval ratings, the stringency index, the time-dependent reproduction number (R), and unemployment, allowing the residuals in each regression to be correlated with each other. We also conduct sensitivity tests using weekly data and the growth in polls.ResultsThe study covers 27 European countries from April 2020 to April 2021. A unit increase in the R and COVID-19 cases per million increases the stringency index by 23.742 and 4.207, respectively; a unit increase in stringency boosts the incumbent's popularity by 0.384; the poll positively affects the stringency index; stringency has negative effects on the R; and the poll and stringency index have opposite effects on unemployment.ConclusionPolitical and economic pressures did not hinder the government from introducing stronger measures.
Project description:1H NMR spectra of EDTA-plasma from 246 COVID-19-positive subjects in the acute phase of infection were compared to those of 94 COVID-19-recovered subjects. The two cohorts are largely different (discrimination accuracy > 93%) due to a pool of 16 metabolites and 74 lipoprotein parameters significantly up- or down-regulated in the patients and within the healthy range in the recovered subjects. In 28 post-acute COVID-19-positive patients, the metabolites levels are reverted back to normality whereas the lipoprotein parameters are still altered. Therefore, the metabolite biomarkers might be used as the timeliest sign of the individual response to treatment or spontaneous healing.
Project description:BackgroundSeveral trials have reported on the impact of social restrictions due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual function and psycho-physical well-being. However, data showing modifications of these outcomes over time and at the end of lock-down are scant.AimWe investigated the longitudinal changes in sexual function during social restrictions for COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.MethodsA web-based survey was administered to Italian citizens of legal age via social networks. The Beck Depression Inventory Primary Care, the General Health Survey, Female Sexual Function Index, International Index of Erectile Function, UCLA Loneliness Scale-version 3 questionnaires were used to test mental, physical and sexual well-being. The questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the lockdown (T0), 15 days from the first assessment (T1) and 1 month after the end of the restrictions in 2020 (T2).OutcomesDescriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were applied to investigate changes in sexual function over and at the end of social restrictions.ResultsData were available for 2543 people (47.2% of men; 43.4% women; 9.4% undefined). Mean age was 48.3 ± 15.1 years for males and 43.9 ± 13.4 for females. Overall, 2.6% reported depressive symptoms according to Beck Depression Inventory Primary Care, 7.4% reported a high level of UCLA loneliness and 19.4% low levels of general mental health. Mild to severe erectile dysfunction was reported by 59.1% of men at T0, while 68.4% of women reported sexual dysfunction. Sexual function levels remain generally unchanged at further follow-up over the social restriction time period (T1), although those who were sexually active at baseline showed a decrease in sexual function scores. At T2, there was an overall improvement in sexual function scores with a rate of severe erectile dysfunction decreasing from 37.1% to 24.1% from T0 to T2 among males and a significant decrease of female sexual dysfunction from 68.4% to 51.2%.Clinical implicationsYoung individuals and those with good mental and physical health were more likely to improve sexual function at the end of social restrictions.Strengths & limitationsValid and reliable questionnaires and longitudinal approach design represent strengths; a large but convenient sample and lack of pre-pandemic baseline data represent limits.ConclusionSocial restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in sexual dysfunctions in both genders. However, these conditions appeared temporary since an overall improvement was observed at the end of lockdown and especially in younger individuals with higher psycho-physical well-being. Vedovo F, Capogrosso P, Di Blas L, et al. Longitudinal Impact of Social Restrictions on Sexual Health in the Italian Population. J Sex Med 2022;19:923-932.
Project description:BackgroundIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have introduced non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as stay-at-home orders, to reduce person-to-person contact and break trains of transmission. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of different public health restrictions on mobility across different countries and cultures. The University of Bern COVID-19 Living Evidence database of COVID-19 and SARS-COV-2 publications was searched for retrospective or prospective studies evaluating the impact of COVID-19 public health restrictions on Google Mobility. Titles and abstracts were independently screened by two authors. Information from included studies was extracted by one researcher and double checked by another. Risk of bias of included articles was assessed using the Newcastle Ottowa Scale. Given the heterogeneous nature of the designs used, a narrative synthesis was undertaken. From the search, 1672 references were identified, of which 14 were included in the narrative synthesis. All studies reported data from the first wave of the pandemic, with Google Mobility Scores included from January to August 2020, with most studies analysing data during the first two months of the pandemic. Seven studies were assessed as having a moderate risk of bias and seven as a low risk of bias. Countries that introduced more stringent public health restrictions experienced greater reductions in mobility, through increased time at home and reductions in visits to shops, workplaces and use of public transport. Stay-at-home orders were the most effective of the individual strategies, whereas mask mandates had little effect of mobility.ConclusionsPublic health restrictions, particularly stay-at-home orders have significantly impacted on transmission prevention behaviours. Further research is required to understand how to effectively address pandemic fatigue and to support the safe return back to normal day-to-day behaviours.
Project description:Background and objectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to health, social interaction, travel and economies worldwide. In New Zealand, the government closed the border to non-residents and required all arrivals to quarantine for 14 days. They also implemented a strict contact-restriction system to eliminate COVID-19 from the community. These measures also reduced the circulation of other respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. We assessed the impact of these measures on hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac diseases.MethodsNational data on hospital admissions for each week of 2020 were compared to admissions for the previous 5 years. Analyses were curtailed after week 33, when a COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland led to different levels of pandemic restrictions making national data difficult to interpret.ResultsThe numbers of acute infectious respiratory admissions were similar to previous years before the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions, but then fell lower and remained low after the pandemic restrictions were eased. The usual winter peak in respiratory admissions was not seen in 2020. Other than small reductions during the period of the strictest contact restrictions, non-infectious respiratory and cardiac admissions were similar to previous years and the usual winter peak in heart failure admissions was observed.ConclusionThe observed patterns of hospital admissions in 2020 are compatible with the hypothesis that circulating respiratory viruses drive the normal seasonal trends in respiratory admissions. By contrast, these findings suggest that respiratory viruses do not drive the winter peak in heart failure.