Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 Disease Specific to Women: Exploratory Research.

This study was designed to explore COVID-19 in a biopsychosocial model, taking into account the different mental and social consequences of the disease in women and men. A sociodemographic questionnaire containing anthropometric data, socioeconomic data, lifestyle data, health status before COVID-19, course of COVID-19, symptoms, and complications after COVID-19 was administered to 83 women and 64 men to investigate their mental health (MH) and quality of life (QoL). The Hospital Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were adopted. Abnormal results in HADS-D and HADS-A were obtained in 33 (39.8%) women and 10 (15.6%) men and in 26 (31.3%) women and 14 (21.9%) men, respectively. Women experienced a lower level of QoL than men. The prolonged duration of COVID-19 symptoms was associated with increased anxiety in women during recovery. Good self-reported health before COVID-19 in women was associated with reduced QoL. Women had more symptoms of COVID-19 than men, and they experienced neurological complications more often. The presence of neurological complications in women appears to be associated with increased perceived anxiety and reduced QoL. This is an exploratory study whose results can influence future research with larger and more diverse samples.

Association of Acute Headache of COVID-19 and Anxiety/Depression Symptoms in Adults Undergoing Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation.

As a common non-respiratory symptom of COVID-19, headache should not be overlooked, and its characteristics should be recorded with scrutiny. Identifying risk factors associated with post-COVID headache will ensure immediate action and counseling for this population of patients. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the relationship between headache and psychological state (stress level, depression, and anxiety symptoms) in adults undergoing post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. In addition, we used mediation analysis to evaluate the mediation effect of psychological variables in the relationship between headache and quality of life. This cross-sectional study included 147 patients undergoing post-COVID-19 rehabilitation at the Public Hospital in Poland (64 males, 83 females, with mean age of 56.97 years). Psychological parameters were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BRIEF). Additionally, all participants completed a questionnaire related to COVID-19 symptoms and their severity, the place of COVID-19 treatment, and the need for oxygen therapy during hospitalization. Of all participants, 65% experienced headache during COVID-19. Of the participants with headache, there were significantly more females in this group (69% vs. 31%), and they were significantly younger (mean age 55.47 vs. 59.78 years). Participants with headache had a 27% higher HADS-D score, a 21% higher HADS-A score, and a 13% higher PSS-10 score. Moreover, gender and headache were found to be important predictor variables for total HADS and HADS-D, accounting for 11% and 7%, respectively. Mediation analysis has shown that the tested psychological variables mediated 39-68% of the total effect of headache influence on WHOQOL domains. In conclusion, our study demonstrated several relationships between headache that occurred during COVID-19 and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress level during post-COVID rehabilitation also in the context of quality of life. Our results show that patients who experienced headaches during COVID-19 are at high risk of developing anxiety-depressive symptoms later. Female gender is associated with a higher prevalence of headache during COVID-19.

The Experiences of People with Dementia and Informal Carers Related to the Closure of Social and Medical Services in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Qualitative Study.

Older people with dementia are particularly at risk of COVID-19; however, relatively little is known about the indirect impact of the pandemic on the lives of those living with, and/or caring for someone with, dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of people with dementia and informal carers during the closure of available social and medical services in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (n = 5) and informal carers (n = 21) was performed between June and August 2020 after the first wave of COVID-19 in Poland. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) care re-organization; (2) psychological responses; (3) emerging needs. The factor underlying all these elements was reliance on other people. Social support and engagement are vital to the ongoing health and well-being of people living with dementia and their informal carers. Services need to be strengthened to provide ongoing provision to those living with dementia to reach pre-pandemic levels, if not better. Within the post-pandemic environment, people with dementia and their informal carers need reassurance that they can rely on external institutional and social support able to meet their needs.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Pregnant and Lactating Women and Mothers of Young Children in Poland.

Purpose: The World Health Organization indicated vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health. The success of a vaccine depends not only on its efficacy but also on its acceptance. Our study aims to define COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of pregnant and lactating women in Poland. Since mothers are often key decision-makers for whether their children will receive vaccination, it is vital to measure vaccine confidence among this group. Patients and Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to assess the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women for themselves and their children in Poland. Results: The trust of pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who have offspring in government, in healthcare professionals, in scientific authorities, and sound scientific data is strongly associated with vaccine acceptance and may influence an individual's decision to perceive recommended actions as beneficial to the society as a whole. Conclusion: Acceptance and confidence in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women and mothers with young children is strongly associated with feelings of trust in government, health professionals, scientific authorities, and sound scientific data. The dissemination of professional and reliable information regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by qualified health care personnel can significantly increase the level of trust and public awareness regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and mothers with young children.

The impact of lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE: The aim the study was to assess the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on diabetes control. METHODS: The HbA1c value from a pre-lockdown visit (V1) from patients with diabetes was compared to the lockdown visit one (V2) after 3-5 months of its duration. Additional information on how the HbA1c changed and which variables can modify HbA1c during lockdown was also studied. RESULTS: Records from 65 patients (type 2 diabetes -96,9%) were eligible and revealed that: HbA1c was at the target in 60% of the patients at V2 compared to 40% at V1; HbA1c decreased and normalized in 19, but worsened in 4 participants during the lockdown. No impact on HbA1c of: sex, age, diabetes duration, therapy type and modification before the pandemic, abandonment of the treatment, previous problems with glycemic control, or change in body weight and physical activity during the lockdown, was found. The previous macrovascular complications were the only variable that affected the increase in HbA1c (p = 0.0072), OR = 5.33. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has not revealed worsened glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, in general. The patients with macrovascular complications turned out to be at risk of the harmful impact of the restrictions on the HbA1c.

The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by Older Inpatients from Emergency vs. Chronic Departments, during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Poland.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced numerous changes in medical care. The monitoring of current needs and problems among the elderly in health care facilities seems to be essential. This study aims to assess the difference in terms of the use of medical and non-medical services before planned or emergency hospitalisation by the older population during the strict lockdown period due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland. The study used the FIMA (Fragebogen zur Inanspruchnahme medizinischer und nicht-medizinischer Versorgungsleistungen im Alter) questionnaire. Patients admitted on a planned basis (n = 61) were on average 4 years younger, self-administered the questionnaire more frequently and used the services of different types of therapists. Patients admitted on an emergency basis (n = 60) were more likely to visit general practitioners and other specialists and used the carer's allowance benefits. In the case of the elderly, emergency hospitalisation during the pandemic is more frequently preceded by seeking outpatient care in specialists in various fields, covered by insurance. The chronically ill use the services of various therapists while awaiting hospitalisation, usually not covered by health insurance. For both groups, the age > 73 years is critical for the use of assisting means and completing the self-administered questionnaire, which can be used in planning the health care in these patients.

Assessment of the level of anxiety and pain in women who do and do not attend childbirth classes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Participation in childbirth classes is aimed at learning to cope with the anxiety that accompanies a woman during her pregnancy and childbirth. The aim of the study was to answer the question whether the lack of access to childbirth classes affected anxiety and perinatal pain in pregnant women who gave birth during the pandemic period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey-based study involved women who were pregnant during the lockdown period. The respondents were asked to fill in the following questionnaires: a personal questionnaire, the Polish version of the Delivery Fear Scale and the Numeric Rating Scale for the assessment of average and maximum pain experienced during the labour. The survey was completed within 24-72 hours after the birth of the child. The obtained questionnaires were divided into 2 groups based on the information concerning attending or not attending childbirth classes (divided into subgroups): group A - patients participated in childbirth classes, and group B - patients did not participate in childbirth classes. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous in terms of age, weight, height, body mass index and week of gestation. Perception of anxiety did not differ between groups. There was a correlation between particular formulation of the Delivery Fear Scale and "week of gestation" variable. In the group of women who gave birth naturally without anesthesia, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of mean and maximum pain during labour. CONCLUSION: The level of anxiety and pain associated with childbirth is not modulated by childbirth classes during the pandemic period. There is s a correlation between particular formulation of the Delivery Fear Scale and "week of gestation" variable. In the group of women who gave birth naturally without anesthesia, there are no significant differences between groups in terms of mean and maximum pain during labour.

The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by the Elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Differs between General and Specialist Practice: A One-Center Study in Poland.

In Poland, there is a lack of documented data on the use of medical and non-medical services by the elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The FIMA questionnaire assesses the use of medical and non-medical services by the elderly. The authors compared the demand for these services during the ongoing pandemic with similar months in 2017. It was confirmed that in the group of 61 surveyed elderly people, the number of individuals who had a medical visit decreased significantly in the three-month period. In the analyzed pandemic period, patients had significantly fewer visits to their general practitioner only. The pandemic had no significant impact on the use of other medical and non-medical services analyzed by FIMA. The limitations may include the small number of respondents, the relatively short period from the beginning of the pandemic covered by the survey, and the nature of the studied patients' diseases. Further observation of elderly patients' access to the abovementioned services can improve the efforts of governments and caregivers in this field, which is of particular importance in the group of chronically ill elderly patients.

Wide spectrum of clinical picture of COVID-19 in children - From mild to severe disease.

INTRODUCTION: Children account for a relatively small proportion of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. In children, COVID-19 usually has a relatively mild course. However, in rare cases, severe disorders can be observed, and clinical manifestations may differ from adults. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency, clinical picture and outcome of COVID-19 in children based on the experience from the tertiary care centre and regional sanitary-epidemiological office. METHODS: We report a study regarding 106 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection cases in PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab (age range 1-month - 17-years). In all cases, history was taken. In children who required hospital admission, physical examination and laboratory test were performed according to clinical indications. RESULTS: Twelve of the patients required admission to the hospital. The most common symptoms were anosmia and dysgeusia (75%) and headaches (49%) in outpatients and fever in hospitalised children (75%). Three children from the hospitalised group developed a severe course with increased inflammatory indexes. The clinical picture was more severe in younger children from the hospitalised group. Treatment options were regarded individually in all cases. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first tour knowledge regarding the clinical course of COVID-19 in Polish children. In general, the clinical course of COVID-19 was mild with anosmia and dysgeusia as the most common symptoms. However, in hospitalised children, a severe progression of the disease and less typical signs as aplastic anaemia may be developed.

The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by the Elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Differs between General and Specialist Practice: A One-Center Study in Poland

In Poland, there is a lack of documented data on the use of medical and non-medical services by the elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The FIMA questionnaire assesses the use of medical and non-medical services by the elderly. The authors compared the demand for these services during the ongoing pandemic with similar months in 2017. It was confirmed that in the group of 61 surveyed elderly people, the number of individuals who had a medical visit decreased significantly in the three-month period. In the analyzed pandemic period, patients had significantly fewer visits to their general practitioner only. The pandemic had no significant impact on the use of other medical and non-medical services analyzed by FIMA. The limitations may include the small number of respondents, the relatively short period from the beginning of the pandemic covered by the survey, and the nature of the studied patients’diseases. Further observation of elderly patients’access to the abovementioned services can improve the efforts of governments and caregivers in this field, which is of particular importance in the group of chronically ill elderly patients.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the population with dementia. Recommendations under the auspices of the Polish Psychiatric Association. / Pandemia SARS-CoV-2 a populacja osób z otepieniem. Rekomendacje pod patronatem Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychiatrycznego.

SARS-CoV-2 poses a particular risk to the elderly and people with many comorbidities. In the case of people with dementia, the compliance with sanitary recommendations and the necessary physical isolation can have far-reaching negative consequences in terms of limiting the continuation of tailored care, support and treatment. The recommendations related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic must take into account not only the medical consequences of lack of access to medical care, but also their long-term effects and the disease progression in accordance with the concept of social health. A plan of action for the psychoeducation of informal carers, adapted to the elderly group (including people with dementia), is also necessary. Prepared under the auspices of the Polish Psychiatric Association, the recommendations for people living alone, with their family and in long-term care facilities are intended to draw attention to key epidemiological issues that can be planned by medical staff within the organization of patient care. However, mental and social needs of patients, whose fulfilment is particularly significant in times of restrictions related to everyday activities, are of equal importance. Further monitoring of the epidemiological situation and scientific reports related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are necessary to verify and update the guidelines.