ABSTRACT
Since the declaration of the global pandemic in March 2020, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused dynamic pressures on healthcare systems worldwide. This study aims to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 at a single centre in Sydney, Australia. Using the clinical coding data, we identified all patients aged > 16 years admitted to our centre between February 1st, 2020, and March 31st, 2022. We categorised the time periods 'pre-delta' (February 1st, 2020 – June 15th, 2021), 'delta' (June 16th, 2021 – November 25th, 2021), and 'omicron' (November 26th, 2021 – March 31st, 2022). We retrospectively extracted the demographic, administrative, and clinical data from the electronic medical records and performed a descriptive analysis of the data. A total of 1842 patients were identified (pre-delta N=18;delta N=788;omicron N=1036). The percentage of male patients was 83%, 54%, and 56% and the median ages at admission were 55, 49, and 70 years during the pre-delta, delta, and omicron periods, respectively. The median length of hospital stay was the longest during the pre-delta period (8.5 days vs. 7 vs. 6). ICU admission rate was 39%, 21%, and 10% for each period and of the ICU-admitted patients 43%, 40%, and 36% respectively required mechanical ventilation. Inhospital mortality was the highest during the omicron period (pre-delta inhospital mortality 5.6%;delta 4.1%;omicron 7.3%). A total of 219 (28%) patients of delta and 185 (18%) of omicron periods received at least one dose of dexamethasone and 175 (22%) and 44 (4.2%) respectively received at least one dose of remdesivir. The demographic and clinical characteristics of admitted COVID-19 patients varied across the 'pre-delta', 'delta', and 'omicron' time periods. The median age at admission and in-hospital mortality was the highest during the omicron period. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Infectious Diseases is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to clinical research, reducing the ability of patients to visit clinical sites for face-to-face visits. This has accelerated the trend of initiating decentralised research, where patients complete some, or all, of the study procedures at home. These studies have potential upsides of greater convenience for the patient and possibly lower costs for sponsors. Conversely de-centralised trials bring the challenge of ensuring rigour and high levels of completion when administering PROs via an electronic PRO (ePRO) solution. The methodology and compliance levels of an de-centralised observational validation study are presented. Method(s): A 10-week de-centralised, observation study was completed in US, UK and Germany to assess the psychometric properties of the Asthma Daytime and Night-time Symptoms Diaries (ADSD/ANSD). Following IRB review and approval, multiple PROs were administered via a Bring your Own Device ePRO solution, including the ADSD/ANSD, SGRQ, EQ-5D, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance 8a. Fair-market value honoraria were phased over the period of the study. PRO compliance was monitored throughout the study, with pre-programmed scheduled reminders and escalating triggered alerts implemented to facilitate compliance. Result(s): 235 moderateto-severe asthma patients have been recruited. An interim assessment of the compliance indicates that over 90% of patients completed at least 4 days of daily data each week. The end of study overall compliance will be analysed and stratified by days completed per week. The frequency and distribution pattern of reminders will be assessed. Compliance patterns by country, demographics and baseline characteristics will be reported. Lessons learned will be discussed in detail to inform best practice. Conclusion(s): Decentralised trials are increasing in popularity. PROs are progressively being viewed as fundamental to Patient Focused Drug Development. The interim results from this ongoing study demonstrate that high levels of PRO completion are possible in a decentralised, BYOD study, with numerous and variable PRO administration frequency. This highlights the importance of well designed, patient friendly research protocols, in ensuring high levels of patient compliance in remote settings. On completion of study, compliance and compliance reminder metrics will be presented, stratified by baseline and demographic characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Background: Since 2019 the National Allergy Strategy (NAS) 250K youth project has run annual camps to support school-aged teens living with severe allergies. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic presented several challenges for conducting camps. To reduce the risk of potential COVID-19 exposure, the NAS conducted a 250K fun day for school-aged teens, supported by local peer mentors, staff and volunteers. This study compares confidence levels for a range of allergy based self-management indicators, between the fun day and camp offerings. Method: The 250K fun day was held in Perth, Western Australia, in February 2021. Perth-based NAS staff and volunteer health professionals attended. School-aged teens and peer mentors from Perth were invited to participate. Several meetings with volunteers and catering staff were held prior. Findings: Fourteen school-aged teens with severe allergies and 1 peer mentor participated in the fun day, and 14 school-aged teens and 8 peer mentors participated in the 2020 camp. Confidence levels were measured using a participant survey. Table 1 provides a comparison of the results of the 2021 fun day and the 2020 camp. Conclusion: The 250K fun day helped connect young people with food allergy. The fun day as a one-day event substantially improved confidence levels in allergy self-management, however, did not increase confidence to the same level as the 2020 camp. Should COVID-19 continue to restrict access to camps, the fun day model represents a good option to engage youth and still provide significant benefit to participants.