Maxillary osteomyelitis secondary to mucormycosis, a sequel of COVID-19: a clinical case report

Introduction: One of the consequences of COVID-19 is the incidence of mucormycosis in the jaws and subsequent osteomyelitis in patients with undiagnosed or uncontrolled comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus and associated immunosuppression. Case Report: A 52-year-old male patient with a history of COVID-19 two months ago presented a painful ulcerative lesion of insidious onset in the palatal raphe measuring approximately 2 mm. He referred to numbness of the palatal region of one month of evolution. During the physical examination, purulent content, multiple pustules in the anterior maxillary buccal mucosa, and mobility of upper anterior teeth were observed. The CT revealed isodense bilateral images in maxillary and ethmoidal sinuses, bone sequestrations, and partial loss of anterior vestibular cortical bone. Laboratory tests revealed no abnormality, except for HbH1c: 10.2gr/dl. The patient was hospitalized for control of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Maxillary incisional biopsy was performed, and microscopic analysis showed a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, fibrin deposits with eosinophilic and birefringent ribbon-like hyphae, branched at right angles, compatible with maxillary osteomyelitis secondary to mucormycosis. The treatment started with antifungal and intravenous antibiotics, followed by surgical cleaning under general anesthesia. The patient progressed favorably. Conclusion(s): Immunosuppression resulting from COVID-19 and/or uncontrolled systemic diseases can condition the appearance of rare opportunistic microorganisms causing infections such as mucormycosis. Early diagnosis and treatment make a difference in the morbidity and mortality of patients.

Impacto de la pandemia de covid-19 en la educación universitaria intercultural en méxico. a teaching perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the health and living conditions of the world's population. In educational matters, social confinement forced the transition from a face-To-face modality to a virtual scheme supported by the use of information technologies and the Internet. This represented a challenge to access quality education at all levels, especially for the most vulnerable population groups, such as intercultural university education aimed at the indigenous population. Objective: To describe the perception that teachers of an intercultural university in southeastern Mexico have, regarding the impact that the adoption of a virtual and distance educational practice has had on the quality of education due to Covid-19. Methodology: Descriptive and cross-sectional quantitative research. The information was collected through the application of structured questionnaires consisting of 27 questions and 41 items, which were applied to a universe of 34 teachers from the seven degrees offered by the university. Results: It was found that the pandemic negatively affected the university intercultural educational process, accentuating the inequity in access to technological means for quality education. © 2022 Universidad de La Habana. All rights reserved.

Effects of the prone position in the treatment of acute respiratory syndrome in patients with COVID-19

Objective: To measure the effects of the prone position on ventilatory parame-ters in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory syndrome secondary to COVID-19. Methods: Through a descrip-tive, cross-sectional, prospective study, a sample of 103 patients with acute respira-tory syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 was studied. The patients were placed in the prone position indefinitely and clinical ventilatory pa-rameters were monitored such as blood pressure oxygen (PaO2), oxygen saturation (SatO2) and relationship between partial pressure of oxy-gen and inspired fraction of oxygen (PaO2/FiO2). Results: The concentration of FiO2 decreased from 100% in the su-pine position to 69% in the prone position, the PaO2/FiO2 increased from 74 to 122 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), the basal PaO2 was recorded at 51 mmHg and after the change in position it was of 89 mmHg, also the SatO2 improved from 84% to 93%. Conclusions: The prone position can significantly improve the PaO2, SatO2 values, as well as the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and in general, the clinical status of the patient with ARDS.

Real-word evidence in patients treated with pazopanib for advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): The APOLON study

Background: The efficacy and safety of pazopanib (PZP) have been evaluated in pivotal randomized, clinical trials Real-world evidence (RWE) is required to further assess its use, effectiveness and safety in mRCC in clinical routine practices. Methods: APOLON is a non-interventional, multicentric prospective study with mRCC patients who receive frontline PZP treatment. The study is designed to assess PZP Progression-Free Survival (PFS) (under treatment), Overall Survival (OS), Objective Response Rate (ORR) assessed by investigators, tolerability and subsequent post-pazopanib therapy sequences. Impact of COVID-19 on patient's care was also assessed. Eligible patients were recruited from Nov 2017 to Jan 2019 in 55 participant sites in France. This interim analysis presents results 30 months (mo) after last patient was enrolled in the study. Results: The 217 patients were 71.1% males, with a median age of 69.6 years and had mRCC with a favourable (27.1%), intermediate (52.1%) or poor (20.8%) IMDC risk score according to physician. ECOG-PS was 0, 1 and ≥2 in respectively 43.3%, 39% and 17.6% of patients. Metastases were mainly located in lungs (64.1%), bones (28.6%), mediastinal (18%)/abdominal (17.1%). Patients had an history of partial/total nephrectomy in 54.8% of cases and previous local treatments for metastases in 27.6%. Median PFS, assessed by investigator, was 10.5 mo (95%CI: 9-12.4), similarly in patients < 65-year-old (YO) with 11.3 mo (95%CI: 7-16.3) and in those ≥ 65 YO with 9.9 mo (95%CI: 8.9-12). When assessed according to the IMDC risk score, mPFS was 18.1 mo (95%CI: 9.9-23.3) in favourable, 11.5 mo (95%CI: 8.7-14.4) in intermediate and 6.2 mo (95%CI: 3.5-9.5) in poor mRCC. The median OS was 27.3 mo (95%CI: 24.3 - ND). Investigator-assessed ORR was 48.3% with a CR in 6 patients (3.5%) and a PR in 77 (44.8%). After a median treatment duration of 10.1 mo, 190 patients (87.6%) discontinued PZP and 67.9% received at least one post-PZP line. Second line post-PZP consisted in nivolumab (71.3%), cabozantinib (14.7%), sunitinib (7%) or other (7%). Adverse Event (AE) leading to PZP dose reduction and discontinuation were reported in 42% and 40.9% of patients and treatment-related serious AE in 22.2% of patients. No safety signal was newly identified. The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic was limited on patients' cares and study follow-up. Visits during the pandemic included 84.1% of tumour evaluation. For 29 patients (14.1%), follow-up visits were carried out as a teleconsultation. Few patients (5,7%) had no visits during the pandemic. Conclusions: The APOLON study confirms PZP effectiveness and safety in patients with mRCC in real-life setting. The efficacy of pazopanib remains significant in patients aged 65 years and older. It is highly associated with risk score. The COVID pandemics had limited impact on patients' cares.

Severity of Covid-19 Clinical Outcomes and Mortality in Multiple Myeloma Patients over Year 1 of the Pandemic

Introduction In the first weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic when healthcare systems in many areas were overstretched, we documented that hospital mortality in multiple myeloma (MM) patients infected by Sars-Cov-2 was 50% higher than in age matched Covid-19 patients without cancer. In the following months, the pressure on healthcare systems in Spain continued although it did not reach the extreme levels of the first weeks of the pandemic. In this study, we proposed to determine if the severity of Covid-19 outcomes in MM patients has changed over the first year of the pandemic. Patients and methods The Spanish MM Collaborative Group (Pethema-GEM) conducted a survey at national level on plasma cell disorder patients infected by SARS-Cov-2 between March 2020 and February 2021. Sixty-six (69%) out of 96 contacted healthcare centers, from all 17 regions in Spain, reported 502 patients. Data on Covid-19 acute and post-acute phase outcomes (hospitalization, oxygen requirements, severity of symptoms and mortality) were reported first in May 2020 (Martinez-Lopez et al, BCJ 2021) and updated in February 2021. In this study, we compared outcome occurrence between two study periods: P1, a period of extreme stress for the healthcare system in Spain, from March to mid-June 2020;and a second period, P2, up to mid-February 2021 with a sustained but lower burden on the national health care system. Results Among the 451 patients with plasma cell disorders and a Sars-Cov-2 infection documented with an rRT-PCR positive test, 377 (84%) were MM patients, 15 SMM (3%), 40 MGUS (9%) and 19 amyloidosis (4%). The number of MM weekly reported cases was 57% (95%CI, 48-65) lower in P2 (188 cases in 35 weeks) compared to P1 (189 cases in 15 weeks), p<0.001. The mean (SD) age and the proportion of men did not differ between P1 and P2, respectively 69.8 (10.9) vs 68.6 (11.0) years, p=0.6, and 53.3% vs 59.6%, p=0.2. MM patients with active or progressive disease at time of Covid-19 diagnosis were 24% in P1 and 34% in P2, p=0.05;patients on active treatment were more frequent in P1, 89%, than in P2, 79%, p=0.01. MM treatment was withheld in 78% and 82% of patients, p=0.4. Covid-19 treatment changed over time: MM inpatients received more remdesivir and corticoids in the second period (3% vs 31% p<0.001, and 49% vs 73%, p<0.001, respectively). In P1, 90% of the reported MM patients were hospitalized compared to 71% in P2, p<0.001. Thirty-one and 41% of patients did not require oxygen support during P1 and P2, respectively;non-invasive ventilation in 19% and 14%, and mechanical ventilation in 7% and 8%, p=0.12. Overall, acute clinical Covid-19 severity was reduced from P1 to P2: 75% to 51%, p<0.001: moderate/severe pneumonia was reduced from 68% to 36%, p<0.001 but severe distress syndrome increased from 7% to 15%, p=0.03. However, mortality in all reported patients was 30.7% in P1 vs 26.1% in P2, p=0.3;and no differences in mortality were observed in hospitalized patients, 32.2% in P1 and 35.3% in P2, p=0.6. We performed a multivariable adjustment with the predictors identified in our previous study (BCJ 2021) and confirmed that inpatient mortality was similar in both study periods, odds ratio (OR) 0.99 (95%CI 0.59-1.66). Independently of the study period, an increased mortality was observed in men (OR 1.81, 1.08-3.05), patients over 65 (OR 2.40, 1.33-4.36), and patients with active or progressive disease (OR 2.12, 1.24-3.62). The severity of Covid-19 clinical outcomes -besides mortality, was associated with increased age but not with active or progressive disease. Conclusions Although COVID-19 clinical severity has decreased over the first year of the pandemic in multiple myeloma patients, mortality remains high with no change between the initial weeks of the pandemic and the following months. Prevention and vaccination strategies should be strengthened in this vulnerable population, particularly in patients with active or progressive disease at time of Covid-19 diagnosis. Disclosures: Martínez-López: Janssen, BMS, Novartis, Incyte, Roche, GSK, Pfi er: Consultancy;Roche, Novartis, Incyte, Astellas, BMS: Research Funding. Mateos: Oncopeptides: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Regeneron: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Sea-Gen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;AbbVie: Honoraria;Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Celgene - Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Bluebird bio: Honoraria;GSK: Honoraria;Oncopeptides: Honoraria. López-Muñoz: Amgen: Consultancy. Sureda: GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Roche: Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel;Mundipharma: Consultancy;Bluebird: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Speakers Bureau;Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Rosinol: Janssen, Celgene, Amgen and Takeda: Honoraria. Lahuerta: Celgene, Takeda, Amgen, Janssen and Sanofi: Consultancy;Celgene: Other: Travel accomodations and expenses. San-Miguel: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Karyopharm, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, SecuraBio, Takeda: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board.

Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Population-Based Registry Study

Introduction: The severity of acute clinical outcomes and mortality in hematologic malignancy (HM) patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 was exhaustively documented in the first weeks of the pandemic. A consistent increased mortality compared to non-cancer patients was observed across studies. In this study we aimed to estimate survival in COVID-19 HM patients by type of malignancy, to describe acute and post-acute clinical outcomes, and to compare outcomes in early and later pandemic periods. Methods: In this population-based registry study sponsored by the Madrid Society of Hematology (Asociación Madrileña de Hematología y Hemoterapia), we collected de-identified data on clinical characteristics, treatment and acute and post-acute outcomes in adult patients with hematologic malignancies and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within the Madrid region of Spain. Our case series included all eligible patients admitted to 26 regional health service hospitals and 5 private healthcare centers between February 28, 2020 and February 18, 2021 with a coverage of 98% on a population of 6.6 million inhabitants. The study outcomes were all-cause mortality, severity of disease (WHO), oxygen support, ICU admission, and follow-up symptoms and signs and complications. Survival probabilities were estimated with the actuarial method and reported overall and stratified by type of malignancy and for two study periods (early cohort,-COVID-19 diagnosis from February 28 to 31 May, 2020, and later cohort, up to February 18, 2021). Results: Of the 1408 patients reported to the HEMATO-MADRID COVID-19 registry, 1166 were included in the present analyses;839 (72%) had a lymphoid malignancy, including 325 (28%) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 50 (4%) with Hodgkin lymphoma and 263 (23%) with multiple myeloma;and 327 (28%) had a myeloid malignancy, including 115 (10%) with myelodysplastic syndrome, 92 (8%) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 87 (7%) with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. Overall COVID-19 clinical severity was classified as critical in 19% of patients, severe in 36%, moderate in 22%, and mild in 22%;10% were admitted to an ICU;8% were on mechanical ventilation and 19% on noninvasive ventilation. Mild disease increased between early and later period from 15% to 38% of patients;severe disease decreased from 42% to 24%, p<0.001. COVID-19 treatment with steroids increased from 38% to 59%, p<0.001. At follow-up, 22% reported persistent symptoms related to COVID-19 at 2 months, 16% at 4 months and 14% at 6 months. 381 of 1166 (33%) patients died. Overall 30-day survival was 68%;2 and 3-month overall survival probabilities were 56% and 53%, respectively. Survival was more favorable for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (82%, 69% and 65% at 30-days, 2 and 3 months, respectively) than for those with lymphoid malignancies (68%, 56% and 54%) or myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (61%, 51%, 46%), p=001. 285 (37%) patients died in the early period vs 96 (24%) in the later, p<0.001, but median (interquartile range) follow-up time was much higher in the early vs later, 45 (20-116) days vs. 26 (11-86), respectively. Overall survival was not different between periods, p=0.5 (hazard ratio [95%C], 0.93 [0.73-1.17]). In the later cohort, 30 and 60-day survival probabilities were 71% and 56% vs. 67% and 56% in the early cohort Conclusions. A population-based registry in Spain provided strong evidence that although COVID-19 severity decreased over year 1 of the pandemic, mortality remained high, and survival was stable over time in the group of patients with hematological malignancy infected by SARS-Coc-2. A relevant proportion of the infected patients (1 in 6) referred persistent symptoms attributable to COVID-19. The improved clinical management of severe COVID-19 in non-cancer patients that followed the dissemination of evidence-based recommendations did not translate in more favorable survival in patients with hematological malignancies. Research is needed to address the specific characteristics nd improve the clinical management of this vulnerable population. Disclosures: Martinez-Lopez: Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Astellas: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jiménez-Yuste: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;BioMarin: Consultancy;Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kwon: Gilead: Honoraria.

Impact of COVID-19 in patients with multiple myeloma based on a global data network.

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a major cause of morbidity/mortality worldwide, overstressing health systems. Multiple myeloma (MM) patients show an increased risk for infections and they are expected to be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we have obtained a comprehensive picture of the impact of COVID-19 in MM patients on a local and a global scale using a federated data research network (TriNetX) that provided access to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) from Health Care Organizations (HCO) all over the world. Through propensity score matched analyses we found that the number of new diagnoses of MM was reduced in 2020 compared to 2019 (RR 0.86, 95%CI 0.76-0.96) and the survival of newly diagnosed MM cases decreased similarly (HR 0.61, 0.38-0.81). MM patients showed higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 2.09, 1.58-2.76) and a higher excess mortality in 2020 (difference in excess mortality 9%, 4.4-13.2) than non-MM patients. By interrogating large EMR datasets from HCO in Europe and globally, we confirmed that MM patients have been more severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic than non-MM patients. This study highlights the necessity of extending preventive measures worlwide to protect vulnerable patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection by promoting social distancing and an intensive vaccination strategies.

Learning progress in university students associated with disruptive innovation of metacognitive strategies in times of COVID-19

The use of information and communication technologies, have become a necessary resource for teaching and learning in the current era, this article aims to present the results of the relationship between metacognitive strategies and the progress of learning in university students, in a social interaction based on digital technology resources in times of COVID-19. The study sample was made up of 200 students from the Faculty of Education Sciences and Humanities of the public University of the city of Ica-Peru, selected through non-probabilistic sampling. The methodology that was used was descriptive correlational, with a non-experimental design;In data collection, the MAI "Metacognitive Awareness Inventory"instrument was applied, which consists of 52 items and the document analysis technical sheet for the students' learning progress. Likewise, to find the association of the variables, statistical analysis was used which, according to the results obtained, it was shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between metacognitive strategies and the learning progress of university students. © 2021 ACM.

Evolution of Generative Adversarial Networks Using PSO for Synthesis of COVID-19 Chest X-ray Images

The use of biomedical images for the training of various Deep Learning (DL) systems oriented to health has reported a competitive performance. However, DL needs a large number of images for a correct generalization and, particularly in the case of biomedical images, these can be scarce. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) as Data Augmenting tools have reaped significant results to improve performance in tasks that involve the use of this kind of image. However, the architectural design of these generative models in the biomedical image area has been usually relegated to the expertise of researchers. Moreover, GANs are affected by training instability that may lead to poor quality results. This paper presents a neuroevolution algorithm based on Particle Swarm Optimization for the design and training of GANs for the generation of biomedical Chest X-Ray (CXR) images of pneumonia caused by COVID-19. The proposed approach allows having a swarm of GANs topologies, where each one of them grows progressively while being trained at the same time. The fitness value is based on the Frechet Inception Distance (FID). The proposed algorithm is able to obtain better FID results compared to handcrafted GANs for the synthesis of CXR images.

ON THE VULNERABILITY OF ECONOMIES TO COVID-19: AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH

During the confinement due to the Covid-19 crisis, economies survived thanks to the available technology and changes of the production model. To study the vulnerability of economies against the challenges of the recovery, in this paper we study the role of some factors related to the development of productive sectors, the use of technology, and the structure of public finances. Using panel data estimations for the European Union, we identify some characteristics that would help economies to boost economic growth. We find that the employment in sectors with a high technological content is the variable that most drives output growth.

Association between Covid-19 mortality and atmospheric pollution in Mexican cities

Objective. To analyze the relationship between chronic exposures to air pollution with Covid-19 death rate in Mexican cities. Materials and methods. Ecological study in 25 Mexican cities using the report of daily Covid-19 deaths (from February to June 2020) and validated data of air pollutants, considering average concentrations in each city for the last year. Poisson regression models using generalized additive models with adjustment variables (GAM) were used. Results. A significant increase of 3.5% (95% CI 2.3-4.7) was found in Covid-19 death rate for each 1 mu g/m(3) in annual concentration of NO2. The association with PM2.5 was not significant, with an increase of 1.8% for each 1 mu g/m(3). Conclusions. Results suggest an association between Covid-19 mortality and chronic exposure to NO2. This first approximation of the risk associated with air pollution requires a more precise analysis, but is consistent with what was observed in other studies.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the influence of confinement by COVID-19 in fracture patients entered in a traumatology service at a third level hospital

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the confinement of approximately one third of the world population, causing a drastic change in the activities of daily life with many repercussions at the health, economic and social levels. Objectives The objective of the present work is to present the epidemiological variations in the production of fractures in the period of mandatory confinement in our reference population. Methods Analytical retrospective comparative study of two groups of patients: Group A: patients admitted before the state of alarm that forced confinement in the period from January 13 to March 13 compared to Group B: patients admitted in the two months of confinement, until the de-escalation period began, March 13-May 13. Epidemiological variables including age, personal history, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, and hospital stay were recorded. Results A total of 190 patients were included. 112 in the pre-confinement period and 78 in the confinement (30% decrease). The mean age (p = 0.007) and falls at home (p < 0.001) were higher in the confinement group. The postoperative (p = 0.006) and overall (p < 0.001) hospital stay were significantly less in the confinement group. No differences were found in the anatomical location of the lesion, sex, comorbidities, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, or death. Conclusions Based on the results of our study, the period of forced confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a drastic decrease in the total number of fractures admitted to the traumatology service of a third level hospital. On the other hand, osteoporotic hip fractures have not varied in their incidence and a decrease in the average postoperative and overall stay has been observed. Resumen Introducción La pandemia por COVID-19 ha supuesto el confinamiento de aproximadamente un tercio de la población mundial, provocando un cambio drástico en las actividades de la vida diaria con enorme impacto sanitario, económico y social. Objetivos El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar las variaciones epidemiológicas en la producción de fracturas en el período de confinamiento obligatorio en nuestra población de referencia. Material y métodos Estudio analítico retrospectivo comparativo de dos grupos de pacientes: Grupo A: personas ingresadas antes del estado de alarma que obligó al confinamiento en el período del 13 enero al 13 de marzo vs. Grupo B: individuos atendidos durante los dos meses de confinamiento, hasta que comenzó la desescalada, período del 13 marzo al 13 mayo. Se registraron variables epidemiológicas, incluyendo edad, antecedentes personales, tipo de fractura, mecanismo de lesión, porcentaje de ambulatorización y estancia hospitalaria. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 190 pacientes. En el período de pre-confinamiento 112 y en el confinamiento 78 (disminución del 30%). La edad media (p = 0,007) y las caídas en domicilio (p<0,001) fueron mayores en este último grupo. La estancia hospitalaria postoperatoria (p = 0,006) y global (p < 0,001) resultaron significativamente menores en el mismo grupo. No se encontraron diferencias en la localización anatómica de la lesión, el sexo, las comorbilidades, el mecanismo de lesión, la tasa de ambulatorización ni el éxitus. Conclusiones Con base en los resultados de nuestro estudio, el período de confinamiento forzoso por la pandemia de COVID-19 ha producido una drástica disminución del número total de fracturas ingresadas en el servicio de traumatología de un hospital de tercer nivel. Por otro lado, las fracturas osteoporóticas de cadera que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico no variaron en número y se ha constatado un decremento de la estancia media postoperatoria y global.

[Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the influence of confinement by COVID-19 in fracture patients entered in a traumatology service at a third level hospital]. / Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la influencia del confinamiento por COVID-19 en los pacientes con fractura ingresados en un servicio de traumatología en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the confinement of approximately one third of the world population, causing a drastic change in the activities of daily life with many repercussions at the health, economic and social levels. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present work is to present the epidemiological variations in the production of fractures in the period of mandatory confinement in our reference population. METHODS: Analytical retrospective comparative study of two groups of patients: Group A: patients admitted before the state of alarm that forced confinement in the period from January 13 to March 13 compared to Group B: patients admitted in the two months of confinement, until the de-escalation period began, March 13-May 13. Epidemiological variables including age, personal history, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were included. 112 in the pre-confinement period and 78 in the confinement (30% decrease). The mean age (p = 0.007) and falls at home (p < 0.001) were higher in the confinement group. The postoperative (p = 0.006) and overall (p < 0.001) hospital stay were significantly less in the confinement group. No differences were found in the anatomical location of the lesion, sex, comorbidities, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, or death. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, the period of forced confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a drastic decrease in the total number of fractures admitted to the traumatology service of a third level hospital. On the other hand, osteoporotic hip fractures have not varied in their incidence and a decrease in the average postoperative and overall stay has been observed.

Time of contagion of patients with SARS-CoV-2: Analysis at ten months of pandemic

Under the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and given the possibility of collapse of health systems due to the increase in infections worldwide, it is necessary to establish the time in which a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 maintains the contagious condition. Determining the infectious agent's transmissibility phase with greater precision will serve to standardize the isolation period of the patient and will prevent the spread of the virus at the community level and its safe return to work. Through molecular tests it has been established that viral RNA is detectable in the respiratory tract from 2 to 3 days before the manifestation of symptoms, reaching its maximum level at the onset of symptoms and decreasing progressively in the following 7 or 8 days in most of patients. However, persistent detection of viral RNA by RT-PCR does not necessarily mean that the patient remains infectious. It has been reported that in mild and moderate cases of COVID-19, the repli-cative capacity of the virus lasts until day 9 from the onset of symptoms, while, in severe and critical cases, it lasts until day 20 from the onset of symptoms. Currently, the strategies proposed by the WHO and the CDC to define the isolation time of those infected are based on the time of manifestation of symptoms and the clinical evolution of the patient. © 2021, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved.