ABSTRACT
Some individuals may be at greater risk for encountering stressors in daily life than others, especially those with minority identities. Initial evidence shows that the disparities between cisgender heterosexual (CH) individuals and sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals on stress-related experiences may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the daily stressors experienced by undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic (stressor exposure), the association between the experience of daily stress and same-day negative mood (stressor reactivity), and whether these varied between undergraduate students with SGM identities and their CH counterparts using a 14-day daily diary design. We did not find significant differences between SGM and CH groups on stressor exposure or stressor reactivity. One common feature of daily diary data is right censoring, which is when some individuals do not experience specific events during the study duration. We used multilevel survival analysis, which accounts for right censored data, to examine group differences in the risks of stressor exposure. We discuss the statistical issues involved when right-censored cases are not taken into consideration in studies of stressor exposure and propose multilevel survival analysis as one solution to move the field towards more accurately understanding whether, when, and why SGM individuals are at greater risk for stressors. © 2023 University of California Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The prognostic nutrition index (PNI), as an indicator of inflammation and immunity, is calculated by "serum albumin (g/L)+5xlymphocyte count (109/L)."A lower PNI could determine a poor prognosis. Recent publications showed that lower albumin levels are correlated with an increased mortality to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This research aimed to determine the PNIs predictive value of mortality at intensive care units (ICUs) in patients with COVID-19. Method(s): In this retrospective one-centered research, 391 patients with COVID-19 followed up at ICU included in the study. Demographic data, comorbidities, thorax computed tomography, polymerase chain reaction results, length of stay, and laboratory results were collected and statistically analyzed. Result(s): Data from 306 patients were analyzed. Older age (>65-yearsold), hypertension, and cardiac diseases were found to be risk factors. Higher Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were associated with increased mortality. Increased procalcitonin, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenases, white blood cell count, D-dimer, fibrinogen, ferritin, brain-natriuretic peptide, and calcitonin-related peptide were related to mortality. Lower PNI scores were noted as indicators of mortality and prognosis. Conclusion(s): Lower PNI scores indicate increased mortality and the length of stay in patients in the ICU. PNI scores could be useful in predicting the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.Copyright © 2022 by The Cardiovascular Thoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Although COVID-19 in childhood is often asymptomatic or has a more benign course, the safety of healthcare workers should be the primary goal because of the risk of contamination. In our study, we aimed to investigate the asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR positivity and its effect on the development of complications in emergency and non-deferred surgery cases that will help both the patient, the operating room and the health care workers. Material(s) and Method(s): This is a prospective study that was performed in patients under 18 years of age who were operated on due to emergency and urgent cases in the Ankara City Children's Hospital, which was serving as an anti-pandemic hospital. The patients were evaluated from May 1 to October 1, 2020. Of the 458 patients, 433 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) samples were taken from all patients along with preoperative examinations. Result(s): Of the 433 cases included in the study, 155 (33.5%) were girls and 278 (66.5%) were boys. It was determined that emergency cases constituted 389 (89.8%) of all cases. The most common emergency pathologies according to age groups were intestinal obstruction or atresia in the neonatal period, foreign body aspirations of the respiratory tract in the preschool period, and acute appendicitis in the school age. Nasal swab PCR results were positive in only four patients, this rate was found to be 0.9% in the entire study group, and postoperative complications and transmission to healthcare workers were detected at none. Conclusion(s): In this prospective study, low COVID-19 PCR positivity (0.9% prevalence) was detected in asymptomatic children scheduled for emergency or non-deferred surgery, and we believe that it will shed light on the planning of safe procedure practices.Copyright © 2021 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Although COVID-19 in childhood is often asymptomatic or has a more benign course, the safety of healthcare workers should be the primary goal because of the risk of contamination. In our study, we aimed to investigate the asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR positivity and its effect on the development of complications in emergency and non-deferred surgery cases that will help both the patient, the operating room and the health care workers. Material and Methods: This is a prospective study that was performed in patients under 18 years of age who were operated on due to emergency and urgent cases in the Ankara City Children's Hospital, which was serving as an anti-pandemic hospital. The patients were evaluated from May 1 to October 1, 2020. Of the 458 patients, 433 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) samples were taken from all patients along with preoperative examinations. Results: Of the 433 cases included in the study, 155 (33.5%) were girls and 278 (66.5%) were boys. It was determined that emergency cases constituted 389 (89.8%) of all cases. The most common emergency pathologies according to age groups were intestinal obstruction or atresia in the neonatal period, foreign body aspirations of the respiratory tract in the preschool period, and acute appendicitis in the school age. Nasal swab PCR results were positive in only four patients, this rate was found to be 0.9% in the entire study group, and postoperative complications and transmission to healthcare workers were detected at none. Conclusion: In this prospective study, low COVID-19 PCR positivity (0.9% prevalence) was detected in asymptomatic children scheduled for emergency or non-deferred surgery, and we believe that it will shed light on the planning of safe procedure practices.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Although COVID-19 in childhood is often asymptomatic or has a more benign course, the safety of healthcare workers should be the primary goal because of the risk of contamination. In our study, we aimed to investigate the asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR positivity and its effect on the development of complications in emergency and non-deferred surgery cases that will help both the patient, the operating room and the health care workers. Material(s) and Method(s): This is a prospective study that was performed in patients under 18 years of age who were operated on due to emergency and urgent cases in the Ankara City Children's Hospital, which was serving as an anti-pandemic hospital. The patients were evaluated from May 1 to October 1, 2020. Of the 458 patients, 433 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) samples were taken from all patients along with preoperative examinations. Result(s): Of the 433 cases included in the study, 155 (33.5%) were girls and 278 (66.5%) were boys. It was determined that emergency cases constituted 389 (89.8%) of all cases. The most common emergency pathologies according to age groups were intestinal obstruction or atresia in the neonatal period, foreign body aspirations of the respiratory tract in the preschool period, and acute appendicitis in the school age. Nasal swab PCR results were positive in only four patients, this rate was found to be 0.9% in the entire study group, and postoperative complications and transmission to healthcare workers were detected at none. Conclusion(s): In this prospective study, low COVID-19 PCR positivity (0.9% prevalence) was detected in asymptomatic children scheduled for emergency or non-deferred surgery, and we believe that it will shed light on the planning of safe procedure practices. Copyright © 2021 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major changes in healthcare around the world, including postponing elective surgery. The aim of this study is to examine the COVID-19 test results in pediatric patients who are asymptomatic and have no history of contact with a COVID-19 case prior to their scheduled elective surgery. Material(s) and Method(s): This prospective study has evaluated pediatric patients who were asymptomatic and had no contact history with a COVID-19 case and who were scheduled for elective surgery between 01.05.2020-31.10.2020 in one of the world's largest pediatric hospitals. Nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) samples were obtained from all patients one day before the scheduled elective surgery. Result(s): Eight hundred twelve patients in this study had a mean age of 6.98 +/- 4.37 years. The PCR test was positive in 4 patients (0.49%), and one patient had diarrhea during the quarantine period of 15 days. Conclusion(s): The low PCR positivity rate in patients scheduled for elective surgery after a detailed history and physical examination raises the question whether elective surgery can be planned without testing. Pediatric surgeons can continue elective surgical procedures by taking precautions, but without requesting PCR, in patients who are asymptomatic and have no suspicious contact history. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic has effects on the healthcare system, as well as on the care of child burns. In our study, we aimed to compare the numbers and demographic data of patients who were treated and followed up during the pandemic period in our burn intensive care center with the data of patients in the same period one year prior. Methods: The patients who were admitted to our tertiary pediatric burn center were divided into two groups: pandemic period (March 10-September 30, 2020) and pre-pandemic period (March 10-September 30, 2019). The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, city of origin, means of transport to the hospital, total burn surface area, burn etiology, duration of hospitalization, intubation status, and mortality from their medical records. Results: In the pandemic period group, 414 children were admitted to the pediatric burn unit and 126 (30.4%) were hospitalized;however, in the pre-pandemic period group, 728 children were admitted to the pediatric burn unit and 98 (13.4%) were hospitalized (p<0.01). The average total burn surface area was s higher in the pre-pandemic group (16.31%) than in the pandemic group (12.29%). The intubated patient rate in the pandemic group (17.34%) was higher than the pre-pandemic group patients (p=0.005). The mortality rate was 3.1% in the pandemic group and 5.1% in the pre-pandemic group. Conclusion: The rate of hospitalization to burn centers has increased in the pandemic period. However, patients in the pandemic period were mild cases compared to the pre-pandemic period.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on senior undergraduate dental students' psychological health by measuring depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Material and Methods: 259 fifth-year dental students participated in this study, including 156 females (60.2%) and 103 males (39.8%), aged 20-25. An online-based questionnaire was created, including a few questions about learning, post-graduation challenges, and fear of the virus exposure. Students were asked to define their acute anxiety state by visual facial anxiety scale (VFAS) and depression, anxiety, and stress levels by The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42). All data were analyzed statistically. Results: Participants stated online learning platforms were insufficient for clinical competence (91.5%), the COVID-19 pandemic changed post-graduation career perspectives (29.3%), and they feared exposure to COVID-19 while performing their profession (82.6%). Acute anxiety levels of the students were recorded as 95.4% mild to highest. Mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress scores of the participants were 82.1%, 79.6%, and 72.9%, respectively. Higher mean values for all depression, anxiety, and stress parameters were obtained in females than males (p<0.05). Conclusion: Data showed that the psychological health of senior undergraduate dental students had been affected adversely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.