Estudo comparativo de zumbido e aptidão cardiorrespiratória entre pessoas pós-COVID-19 / Comparative study of tinnitus and cardiorespiratory fitness among people post COVID-19

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a relação entre zumbido e aptidão cardiorrespiratória em pessoas após COVID-19. Métodos Estudo transversal com amostra de pessoas pós-COVID -19 que responderam à Escala Visual Analógica para zumbido e questionário padronizado contendo dados sobre internação e zumbido. Para avaliar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, utilizou-se a avaliação clínica e o Teste de Bruce para mensurar o consumo de oxigênio diretamente (via analisador de gases, com utilização do consumo pico de oxigênio - VO2pico). Resultados Participaram 192 pessoas, com média de idade de 47,8 ± 12,6 anos. A prevalência de zumbido autorreferido foi de 27,1% (n = 52). Dos 52 pacientes com zumbido, 27 iniciaram com o sintoma durante ou após o diagnóstico de COVID-19. Houve diferença significativa para o VO2pico absoluto entre os grupos com e sem zumbido (p = 0,035), sendo que o grupo com zumbido apresentou os menores valores; o tamanho do efeito foi pequeno. Não houve correlação entre os escores da Escala Visual Analógica para o zumbido e os valores de VO2pico absoluto e relativo (p > 0,05). Conclusão Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as queixas de zumbido e o VO2pico nas pessoas após a COVID -19, sendo que o grupo com zumbido apresentou o VO2pico absoluto menor do que o grupo sem zumbido. Nos pacientes com zumbido, também foi encontrado VO2pico absoluto e relativo menor para as mulheres, além do VO2pico relativo menor para os hipertensos e obesos.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the relation between tinnitus and cardiorespiratory fitness among people after COVID-19. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of people post Covid-19 who responded to the Visual-Analog Scale for tinnitus and standardized questionnaire containing data on hospitalization and tinnitus. To evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, it used the clinical assessment and Bruce test to measure oxygen consumption directly (via gas analyzer, using peak oxygen consumption - VO2peak). Results In total, 192 participants were assessed, with a mean age of 47.8 ± 12.6 years . The prevalence of self-reported tinnitus was 27.1% (n = 52). Of these 52 patients with tinnitus, 27 people started with the symptom during or after the diagnosis of COVID-19. There was a significant difference for the absolute VO2peak and the groups with and without tinnitus (p = 0.035): the tinnitus group showed the lowest values, the effect size was small. There was no correlation between the scores of the Visual-Analog Scale for tinnitus and the absolute and relative VO2peak (p > 0.05). Conclusion There was a statistically significant difference between tinnitus complaints and the VO2peak among people post COVID-19, with the tinnitus group having a lower absolute VO2peak than the non-tinnitus group. In tinnitus patients, we also found lower absolute and relative VO2peak for women, in addition to lower relative VO2peak for hypertensive and obese patients.

Do Body Mass Index Levels Correlate with Tinnitus Among Teachers?

Abstract Introduction Working conditions can contribute to the development of lifestylerelated diseases among teachers, including obesity and tinnitus. Describing tinnitus in relation to characteristics and comorbidities can help the treatment and prognosis of teachers affected by this symptom. Objective To verify a possible association between tinnitus complaint and body mass index (BMI) in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of teachers who responded to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The BMI (kg/m2) was calculated based on self-reported body weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters squared). Nonparametric statistics were applied adopting a significance level < 0.05 Results A total of 83 teachers were assessed, with a mean age 48 ± 9.7 years old; 63.9% (n= 53) were females; 44.6% were eutrophic (n = 37), and 16.9% (n = 14) were obese. Of the total, 19.3% (n = 16) reported tinnitus. No differences were found between the groups and BMI (p > 0.05), although there was a significant difference between the Tinnitus and No Tinnitus groups for age (p < 0.001). The chi-squared test showed an association between age group and tinnitus (p < 0.028); those with tinnitus were in the 49 to 65 years old age group. In addition, there was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters (VAS; THI-Functional; THI-Total) and BMI. Conclusion There was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters and BMI indicating that, as the BMI increased, so did the impact of tinnitus in the lives of the teachers. Body mass index should be considered a factor in tinnitus assessment and rehabilitation process.

Anosmia and ageusia in people after COVID-19: an analysis between the type and length of hospital stay / Anosmia e ageusia em pessoas após a COVID-19: análise entre tipo e tempo de hospitalização

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the type and length of hospital stay in people who reported anosmia and ageusia after COVID-19. Methods: a cross-sectional study with patients who were referred by the hospital after medical discharge. They answered a standardized in-person questionnaire on age, sex, anthropometry, need for hospitalization, anosmia, and ageusia. Nonparametric statistics were calculated to analyze the data. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the groups. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: the responses of 201 participants with a mean age of 44.7 ± 12.7 years were analyzed, 52.2% (n = 105) were males, 67.7% had been hospitalized (n = 136), 60.2% (n = 121) reported ageusia, and 55.7% (n = 112) reported anosmia. There was a difference in days spent in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the Ageusia group (p = 0.004), which had a shorter length of stay. As for those who reported anosmia, there was a difference and shorter length of stay for both the ward (p = 0.001) and ICU (p = 0.004). Categorical data showed that anosmia was associated with hospitalization (yes or no) (p = 0.018; phi = -0.167). Among those who were not hospitalized, 67% (n = 44) reported anosmia. Conclusion: those who reported anosmia and ageusia had shorter hospital stays, when necessary.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar o tipo e tempo de hospitalização em pessoas que relataram anosmia e ageusia após a COVID-19. Métodos: estudo transversal com pacientes que foram encaminhados pelo hospital após a alta médica. Um questionário padronizado foi aplicado presencialmente contendo dados referentes a idade, sexo, antropometria, necessidade de internação, anosmia e ageusia. Estatística não-paramétrica foi utilizada para analisar os dados. Os testes de Mann Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis foram utilizados para comparação dos grupos. Considerou-se significante um p<0,05. Resultados: foram analisadas as respostas de 201 participantes com média de idade de 44,7 ± 12,7 anos, 52,2% (n = 105) eram do sexo masculino, 67,7% foram internados (n = 136), 60,2% (n = 121) relataram ageusia e 55,7% (n = 112) informaram anosmia. Houve diferença em relação aos dias de permanência em Unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) para o grupo Ageusia (p = 0,004), sendo que estes apresentaram menor tempo de internação. Quanto aos que relataram anosmia, houve diferença e menor tempo de internação para ambos, enfermaria (p = 0,001) e UTI (p = 0,004). Os dados categóricos demonstraram associação entre anosmia e internação (sim e não) (p = 0,018; phi = -0,167), sendo que, entre os que não foram internados, 67% (n = 44) relataram anosmia. Conclusão: aqueles que relataram anosmia e ageusia apresentaram menor tempo de internação, quando necessário.

Is remote and distance teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic related to the university professors' weight gain, body mass index changes, hearing complaints, and self-perception of voice?

ABSTRACT Purpose: to verify the impact of weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) changes on auditory and vocal symptoms in university professors, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: the symptoms were assessed with a semi-structured questionnaire developed on Google Forms, to which the consent form was appended. It comprised 27 questions related to symptoms, changes, and health, during the pandemic - specifically, vocal and auditory symptoms, anthropometric factors, vocal parameters, physical activity, neck pain, and comorbidities. The Mann-Whitney and Chi-square test were used to identify differences or associations between variables (95% CI; P < 0.05). Results: altogether, 74 professors who comprise the faculty of the undergraduate program at the institution where the research was conducted were assessed. Significant differences were found between those with auditory symptoms (G1: worsened hearing; G2: unchanged hearing) regarding BMI, in which G1 had higher values; and sleep, in which G1 slept fewer hours. The chi-square test showed an association between the groups and BMI classification - those with worsened hearing (G1) were more overweight and their sleeping hours were more affected. There was also an association between the groups and voice change, headphone use (mainly in-ear) during classes, dizziness or vertigo episodes, tinnitus episodes and headache. Conclusion:this study revealed an association between worsened hearing, sleep, and BMI in university professors due to remote and distance teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hypovitaminosis D, Low Bone Mineral Density, and Diabetes Mellitus as Probable Risk Factors for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Elderly

Abstract Introduction Studies have found that elderly patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may present low levels of vitamin D (25 (OH) D), changes in bone mineral density, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Objective To investigate the possible association between BPPV, bone mineral density, hypovitaminosis D, 25 (OH) D and DM. Methods The sample consisted of 109 elderly subjects. The BPPV was verified by a standardized questionnaire and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Blood samples were collected for the investigation of 25 (OH) D serum levels. The bone mineral density was evaluated by means of a densitometer. Diabetes mellitus verification was performed using a self-reported questionnaire. Results Of the 109 participants, 17 had BPPV. There was a statistically significant difference between BPPV and gender (p= 0.027, phi = 0.222), with female representing 88.2% of those with BPPV. In the group with BPPV, there was a statistically significant difference for the amount of vitamin D found (p= 0.001) and for age (p= 0.001). In the elderly group with DM and BPPV, a difference was found for the standard deviation of the femur (p= 0.022) with posthoc Dunn, identifying the difference between diabetics with and without BPPV (p= 0.047). Conclusion Although no association was found (25 (OH) D levels) with BPPV in the general population of this study, it was observed that there was an association with bone mineral density in the elderly group with DM and BPPV, and, in the group with BPPV, there was an association between the amount of vitamin D and age.