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Background: While many studies on the determinants of post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC) have been conducted, little is known about the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 variants and PCC. This study aimed to assess the association between different SARS-CoV-2 variants and the probability of having PCC three months after the infection. Methods: This study was a longitudinal cohort study conducted between April 2021 and September 2022 in Belgium. In total, 8,238 adults with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were followed up between the time of their infection and three months later. The primary outcomes were the PCC status three months post infection and seven PCC symptoms categories (neurocognitive, autonomic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, anosmia and/or dysgeusia, and other manifestations). The main exposure variable was the type of SARS-CoV-2 variants (i.e. Alpha, Delta, and Omicron), extracted from national surveillance data. The association between the different SARS-CoV-2 variants and PCC as well as PCC symptoms categories was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The proportion of PCC among participants infected during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron-dominant periods was significantly different and respectively 50%, 50%, and 37%. Participants infected during the Alpha- and Delta-dominant periods had a significantly higher odds of having PCC than those infected during the Omicron-dominant period (OR = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33–1.96 and OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.54–1.93, respectively). Participants infected during the Alpha and Delta-dominant periods were more likely to report neurocognitive, respiratory, and anosmia/dysgeusia symptoms of PCC. Conclusions: People infected during the Alpha- and Delta-dominant periods had a higher probability of having PCC three months after infection than those infected during the Omicron-dominant period. The lower probability of PCC with the Omicron variant must also be interpreted in absolute figures. Indeed, the number of infections with the Omicron variant being higher than with the Alpha and Delta variants, it is possible that the overall prevalence of PCC in the population increases, even if the probability of having a PCC decreases.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , DysgeusiaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most research has focused on the pathophysiology and management of the acute symptoms of COVID-19, yet some people tend to experience symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection, that is, Post COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, evidence on the long-term health impacts of a COVID-19 infection are still scarce. The purpose of this paper is to describe the COVIMPACT study, which aims to set up a cohort of people who have been tested positive for COVID-19 and study the evolution of their physical, mental and social health over the medium (3 months) and long term (two years), and the factors associated with an (un)favorable evolution. METHODS: COVIMPACT is a longitudinal cohort study organised over a two-years period between April 2021 and April 2023. The eligible population is all people aged 18 years and older, living in Belgium, with a recent COVID-19 infection and contacted by the health authorities for contact tracing. Two questionnaires are used: a baseline questionnaire that aims to assess the initial health status of the participants and their status during the acute phase of the illness, and a follow-up questionnaire that is sent every three months after participants enter into the cohort. A matched non-COVID-19 control group was also selected. As of November 1, 2021, 10,708 people completed the baseline questionnaire (5% of the eligible population) and the follow-up participation rate was 79%. In total, 48% of the cohort participants appeared to fit the proposed case definition of PCC (i.e. report at least one symptom related to their COVID-19 infection three months afterwards). DISCUSSION: This study was designed to provide timely information on the short and long term impact of a COVID-19 infection, to stakeholders such as policymakers, health practitioners and people with PCC. Although the follow-up participation rate was good (79%), the participation rate of the eligible population was low (5%). Compared to other studies, this study has a large sample, of non-hospitalised and hospitalised people, who will be followed over a long period of 3 months to two years post infection, and with a global approach to their health.
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The COVID-19 pandemic and policy measures enacted to contain the spread of the coronavirus have had nationwide psychological effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of anxiety (GAD-7 scale) and depression (PHQ-9 scale) of the Belgian adult population. A longitudinal study was conducted from April 2020 to June 2021, with 1838 respondents participating in 6 online surveys. Linear mixed models were used to model the associations between the predictor variables and the mental health outcomes. Results showed that the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was higher in times of stricter policy measures. Furthermore, after the initial stress from the outbreak, coping and adjustment were observed in participants, as symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased during times of lower policy restrictions to almost the same level as in pre-COVID times (2018). Though time trends were similar for all population subgroups, higher levels of both anxiety and depression were generally found among women, young people, people with poor social support, extraverts, people having pre-existing psychological problems, and people who were infected/exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, investment in mental health treatment programs and supports, especially for those risk groups, is crucial.
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Background Since March 13th 2020, confinement measures have been introduced in Belgium to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These measures also have an impact on people’s daily life (closure of school/businesses, teleworking, recommendation to stay at home). This can cause stress on social, economic and psychological levels and thereby can trigger domestic violence. Besides, confinement also fosters social isolation, which can complicate help seeking behaviour. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and to assess whether there is an association between domestic violence and social isolation. Methods Several online COVID-19 Health Surveys were organised among Belgian residents aged 18+ via snowball sampling. This study is based on the second (April 2020) and the sixth survey (March 2021). After excluding 1-person households and missing data, the sample size was respectively 25,251 and 12,589. Weighted prevalence of domestic violence was evaluated for the two surveys. The association (OR;95% CI;p-value) between domestic violence and subjective social isolation was assessed with logistic regression stratified by survey and adjusted for covariates. Results In April 2020, 4.0% of the adult population reported being a victim of domestic violence (1.2% in the Health Interview Survey 2018);in March 2021, this was 6.2%. In April 2020, victims of domestic violence had higher odds of being unsatisfied with their social contacts (OR = 1.25;95% CI: 1.08–1.44;p < .05), weak social support (OR = 2.26;95% CI: 1.97–2.58;p < .0001) and having less confidence in health care services (OR = 1.38;95% CI: 1.13–1.71;p < .05). In March 2021, victims had higher odds of being unsatisfied with their social contacts (OR = 1.30;95% CI: 1.08–1.56;p < .05) and weak social support (OR = 2.41;95% CI: 2.04–2.84;p < .0001), and social (OR = 2.64;95% CI: 2.23–3.13;p < .0001) and emotional loneliness (OR = 2.22;95% CI: 1.80–2.73;p < .0001). Conclusions More people have reported domestic violence since the start of the coronavirus crisis than did in 2018. An association between domestic violence and social isolation was determined. Although confinement is needed to counteract the virus, it can put people in a dangerous situation since they do not get the help they need. Therefore, adequate support is essential.
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BACKGROUND: In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These measures may affect health behaviours of the population such as eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption, which in turn can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain. METHODS: Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano's website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n = 28,029). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR's (95% CI) calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights. RESULTS: Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.39 (1.15-1.68) and 1.29 (1.04-1.60), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR = 3.65 (3.27-4.07)), among those who became less physically active (OR = 1.91 (1.71-2.13)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (OR = 1.86 (1.66-2.08)). CONCLUSIONS: The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise on short term weight gain and plead to take more action, in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess food insecurity and its association with changes in nutritional habits among Belgian adults during confinement due to COVID-19. DESIGN: Three cross-sectional online health surveys were conducted during March-May 2020. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine associations between self-reported changes in fruit, vegetable, soft drink and sweet and salted snack consumption or weight as dependent variables and food insecurity indicators as independent variables, adjusted for gender, household composition, educational attainment and household income. SETTING: Belgium. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 8640 adults recruited by convenience sampling. RESULTS: About 10·4 % of Belgians often or sometimes feared food shortages, 5·0 % were often or sometimes short of food without money to buy more and 10·3 % often or sometimes could not afford to eat a healthy diet during confinement. These percentages were highest among single-parent families (26·7, 14·4 and 23·4 %, respectively). Adults who often or sometimes feared that food would run out during confinement had significantly higher odds of decreased v. unchanged fruits (3·53; 95 % CI = 2·06, 6·05) and vegetables (5·42; 95 % CI = 2·90, 10·11) consumption and significantly higher odds of increased v. unchanged soft drink consumption (3·79; 95 % CI = 2·20, 6·54). Similar results were found for adults who often or sometimes ran out of food and for adults who often or sometimes were not able to afford a healthy diet. CONCLUSION: Food insecurity during the COVID-19 confinement measures in Belgium was associated with adverse changes in most dietary behaviours. A strong government response is needed to tackle malnutrition and food insecurity to protect public health from ongoing and future pandemics.