Emotional, hyperactivity and inattention problems in adolescents with immunocompromising chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Objective: To assess factors associated with emotional changes and Hyperactivity/Inattention (HI) motivated by COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with immunocompromising diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 343 adolescents with immunocompromising diseases and 108 healthy adolescents. Online questionnaires were answered including socio-demographic data and self-rated healthcare routine during COVID-19 quarantine and validated surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL4.0). Results: The frequencies of abnormal emotional SDQ scores from adolescents with chronic diseases were similar to those of healthy subjects (110/343 [32%] vs. 38/108 [35%], p = 0.548), as well as abnormal hyperactivity/inattention SDQ scores (79/343 [23%] vs. 29/108 [27%], p = 0.417). Logistic regression analysis of independent variables associated with abnormal emotional scores from adolescents with chronic diseases showed: female sex (Odds Ratio [OR = 3.76]; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 2.00-7.05; p < 0.001), poor sleep quality (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.08-3.88; p = 0.028) and intrafamilial violence during pandemic (OR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.12-4.19; p = 0.021) as independently associated with abnormal emotional scores, whereas total PedsQL score was inversely associated with abnormal emotional scores (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.96; p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis associated with abnormal HI scores from patients evidenced that total PedsQL score (OR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.95-0.99; p = 0.010], changes in medical appointments during the pandemic (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.19-0.79; p = 0.021), and reliable COVID-19 information (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.16-0.77; p = 0.026) remained inversely associated with abnormal HI scores. Conclusion: The present study showed emotional and HI disturbances in adolescents with chronic immunosuppressive diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reinforces the need to promptly implement a longitudinal program to protect the mental health of adolescents with and without chronic illnesses during future pandemics.

Poor Sleep quality and health-related quality of life impact in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions during COVID-19 quarantine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible factors that influence sleep quality in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions quarantined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 305 adolescents with chronic immunocompromised conditions and 82 healthy adolescents. Online surveys were completed, which included questions on socio-demographic data and self-rated healthcare routine during COVID-19 quarantine and the following validated questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL4.0), and Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). RESULTS: The median current age [14 (10-18) vs. 15 (10-18) years, p=0.847] and frequency of female sex (62% vs. 58%, p=0.571) were similar in adolescents with chronic conditions compared with healthy adolescents. The frequency of poor sleep quality was similar in both groups (38% vs. 48%, p=0.118). Logistic regression analysis, including both healthy adolescents and adolescents with chronic conditions (n=387), demonstrated that self-reported increase in screen time (odds ratio [OR] 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-6.8; p=0.008) and intrafamilial violence report (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.5; p=0.008) were independently associated with poor sleep quality in these adolescents. However, the PODCI global function score was associated with a lower OR for poor sleep quality (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.94-0.99; p=0.001). Further logistic regression, including only adolescents with chronic conditions (n=305), demonstrated that self-reported increase in screen time (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4-6.8; p=0.006) and intrafamilial violence report (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.4; p=0.011) remained independently associated with poor quality of sleep, whereas a lower PODCI global function score was associated with a lower OR for sleep quality (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.94-0.98; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Self-reported increases in screen time and intrafamilial violence report impacted sleep quality in both healthy adolescents and those with chronic conditions. Decreased health-related quality of life was observed in adolescents with poor sleep quality.

Effects of neural mobilization on individuals with chronic low back pain / Efeito da mobilização neural em indivíduos com dor lombar crônica

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of neural mobilization technique on individuals with chronic low back pain, as well as analyze possible changes in pain, motor behavior and on cytokine quantification before and after treatment. METHODS: Sixteen individuals with mean age of 30.45±10.32 years old were evaluated. The technique consisted of a total of 10 interventions, with a total duration of 10 minutes, divided into four series of 2 minutes each, with a 30-second interval between each series. The following outcomes were evaluated: pain intensity using the visual analog scale; mobility of the lumbar spine with the third finger to the ground test and hip goniometry; concentration of cytokines in serum with the multiplex technique; and quality of life with the Oswestry Disability Index, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-bref. RESULTS: Results showed a reduction in pain intensity of approximately 70% between the assessments (p<0.001). Improvements in lumbar mobility of approximately 25.5% on the third finger to the ground test (p<0.04) and improvement in the hip joint angles (p<0.04) were also observed. A difference in cytokine concentrations, both pro-inflammatory (p<0.009) and anti-inflammatory (p<0.03), was also observed between the assessments. CONCLUSION: The technique was able to reduce pain intensity and consequently increase the mobility of the volunteers. Additionally, a difference in cytokine concentration at the end of the treatment and an improvement in the individuals quality of life were observed.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da técnica de mobilização neural em indivíduos com lombalgia crônica, assim como possíveis alterações na dor, no comportamento motor e na quantificação de citocinas antes e após o tratamento. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 16 indivíduos com idade média de 30,45±10,32 anos. A técnica consistiu em um total de 10 intervenções, com duração total de 10 minutos, divididas em quatro séries de 2 minutos cada, com intervalo de 30 segundos entre cada série. Os desfechos a seguir foram avaliados: intensidade da dor utilizando a escala analógica visual; mobilidade da coluna lombar com o terceiro dedo ao solo e goniometria do quadril; concentração de citocinas no soro com a técnica multiplex; e qualidade de vida com o Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-bref. RESULTADOS: Os presentes resultados demonstraram uma redução na intensidade da dor de aproximadamente 70% entre as avaliações (p<0,001). Foram observadas melhoras na mobilidade lombar de aproximadamente 25,5% no teste do terceiro dedo ao solo (p<0,04) e nos ângulos da articulação do quadril (p<0,04). Também foi observada entre as avaliações diferença nas concentrações de citocinas, tanto pró-inflamatórias (p<0,009) quanto anti-inflamatórias (p<0,03). CONCLUSÃO: A técnica foi capaz de reduzir a intensidade da dor e consequentemente aumentar a mobilidade dos voluntários. Além disso, foi observada uma diferença na concentração de citocinas no final do tratamento e uma melhoria na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos.