Evaluation of the Prevalence of Psychological Disturbances in Patients with Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases and Covid-19 Infection in an Ambulatory Service

Objectives: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection caused by the new coronavirus that has spread around the world, becoming an international public health emergency. Studies have shown a high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients after the infection, a situation that can be evenmore pronounced in patients with chronic diseases such as Immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IRMD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 infection and pandemic on patients with IRMD as well as to describe the epidemiological profile of the selected population. Method(s): A longitudinal cohort observational study was carried out with a comparison group, based on the analysis of data from patients of Project Reumacov, organized by de Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, in Manaus/ Amazonas. Data regarding the psychological impact was obtained through the application of DASS-21 forms, which evaluated levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Possible answers were divided into four categories according to the frequency of the symptoms presented, such as Not applicable;Present for a short time;Present for a significant amount of time or Present most of the time. Result(s): In total, 283 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 44 years and the majority of the patients were female. The most frequent diagnosis was systemic lupus erythematosus, followed by rheumatoid arthritis. Of the patients included, 270 answered the DASS-21 questionnaire, being 152 in the Case group (patients with COVID-19) and 118 in the Control group (patients without COVID-19). There was a significant statistic correlation between high levels of depression, anxiety and stress and the presence of COVID-19 related symptoms. Conclusion(s): Our study demonstrated that high levels of stress, depression and anxiety were associated to the coronavirus infection. It is, however, difficult to determine whether this scenario is a result of a physiological response to the infection or a consequence of the social context of a pandemic. This knowledge may contribute to a better understanding of COVID-19 infection and its repercussions as well as to highlight the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach aimed at the mental health of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Association between Covid-19 and Fatigue in Patients with Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases in an Outpatient Service

Objectives: Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) constitute an important subgroup of immunosuppressed patients at risk of developing severe infections. Since coronavirus 19 infection (COVID-19) is an international public health emergency, it is necessary to observe the relationship between this viral infection and the development or intensification of the clinical course of IMRD and the persistence of new associated symptoms. The aim of this study is to trace this population's epidemiological profile and evaluate the frequency of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with IMRD and COVID-19 compared to uninfected patients. Method(s): This is a descriptive cross-sectional observational study with a comparison group. The sociodemographic, clinical, and FACIT-F Fatigue Scale data were from patients with IMRD of Project Reumacov, organized by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, locally inManaus/Amazonas. The statistical analysis was performed through the inferential method to demonstrate the prevalence. Result(s): 268 patients were evaluated, those who had contact with COVID-19 had fatigue according with the fatigue assessment scale compared to unexposed patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between fatigue post-COVID-19 infection in the patients studied. Conclusion(s): Clinically relevant fatigue was a prevalent and commonly reported symptom in the post-COVID-19 period in the evaluated population. These data should direct attention to the reported manifestations as they affect the functioning of individuals' socioeconomic and health well-being throughout the pandemic period and beyond.

COVID-19 and the labor market in Brazil: analysis of the brazilian emergency legislation in light of the ILO's precepts

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the compatibility of the emergency legislative measures adopted between March 2020 and October 2021 by the Brazilian federal government and the precepts of the ILO to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the labor market. METHODOLOGY: Based on a deductive approach, a comparative bibliographic and documentary analysis was carried out between the main changes imposed by the Brazilian legislation adopted in connection with the sanitary crisis and the precepts of the ILO in the official reports called "ILO Observatory: Covid-19 and the World of Work". RESULTS: As for facing the impacts of the pandemic in the labor market, it is argued that the Brazilian emergency legislation took the opposite direction of what was precepted by the ILO, revealing an option for deepening neoliberal policies of reduction or flexibilization of labor rights and social protection. © 2021 Centro Universitario FG (UNIFG). All right reserved.

Rural sanitation: scenarios and public policies for the Brazilian semi-arid region

Brazil's primary sanitation sector has been neglected, especially concerning rural sanitation. Population dispersion and the difficulty of access in many rural communities bring more significant challenges to the universalization of the service and, consequently, vulnerabilities for the population. The present work builds a theoretical framework about the context of rural sanitation in Brazil, with history, weaknesses in the sector, the impact of COVID-19 and new technologies, and central public policies in the State of Pernambuco. It is known that COVID-19 has caused considerable challenges that, added to the obstacles to national sanitation, result in greater vulnerability to the population, especially for indigenous peoples, quilombolas, and diffuse rural communities. In the State of Pernambuco, certain policies, such as the One Million Rural Cisterns Program (P1MC), One Land and Two Waters Program (P1 + 2), Agua Doce Program and Operacao Pipa Program, significantly improved the quality of life of the rural population. However, these measures are not enough to remedy the sector's shortcomings. Although alternative sanitation technologies bring hope to the sector, there is a long way to go towards the universalization of sanitation.

ANTI-A AND SARS-COV-2: AN INTRIGUING ASSOCIATION

Introduction: It is not clear which individual characteristics can determine susceptibility and intensity of symptoms, however, age, sex, ethnicity, hypertension and some haematological biomarkers, as D-dimer, thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia were associated with a worse outcome. Recently, it has been hypothesized that ABO blood groups can be related to susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Considering that the first studies reported A group as a risk factor and O group as a protection, some authors have been suggested that the anti-A antibodies, and not the blood group, could be responsible for the findings. Objectives: Based on these findings, this study analysed the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with the presence (O and B blood groups type) or absence (A and AB blood groups type) of anti-A antibodies, considering the production of specific immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM and IgG) and neutralizing antibodies. Material and Methods: Retrospective study with 430 COVID-19 individuals (268 COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors-CCPD and 162 COVID-19 inpatients-CIP) from two Brazilian reference hospitals, confirmed by RT-PCR, and 2,212 healthy volunteer blood donors (VBD) as control group, that were evaluated and divided into two groups: with anti-A (O/B blood groups) and without anti-A group (A/AB blood groups). Immunoglobulins and neutralizing antibody titres were measured for CCPD and CID. Multivariate logistic regression and non-parametric tests were performed. Results: Although O blood group was the most frequent ABO group among VBD, A blood group was more frequent among COVID-19 individuals (CCPD 47.8%, CIP 43.2%, VBD 35.5%, p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in blood groups distribution between CCPD and CIP (p=0.268). In our cohort, for each increased age year there was 6% more chance for COVID-19 (OR: 1.06;CI 95%: 1.05-1.06, p < 0.001), males showed 27% more chance for the disease (OR: 1.27;CI 95%: 1.02-1.59, p = 0.035) and O/B blood groups showed 38% less infection prevalence (OR: 0.62;CI 95%: 0.5-0.7, p < 0.001). Considering the fact that higher anti-A is usually described in O blood group, data from O versus B blood groups individuals were analysed and the former showed 34% less chance for COVID-19 (OR: 0.66;CI 95%: 0.46-0.95, p = 0.026). No difference regarding ABO group was found when COVID-19 inpatients of all blood types were analysed. Immunoglobulins A, M and G (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were lower in COVID-19 individuals O/B blood groups (IgM p = 0.03, IgG p = 0.02, IgA p = 0.03). Discution: In our retrospective cohort, the COVID-19 individuals O/B blood groups (which produces anti-A) had 38% less chance to have a diagnosis of COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and the same groups showed lower titers of neutralizing antibodies, IgM, IgG and IgA. Groups O/B showed a protective factor against the SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it was not associated to COVID-19 inpatients (versus COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors) suggesting that blood type is not associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection severity. Conclusion: COVID-19 individuals from groups O/B showed lower titers of neutralizing antibodies, and IgM, IgG, and IgA lower levels.

Quality evaluation of masks marketed in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic for the presence of silver and silver nanoparticles

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new coronavirus is a disease without specific treatment and has become one of the great challenges of the current century. One of the alternatives to minimize the direct transmission rate of the virus is the use of face masks. Currently, there is a diversity of masks on the market, both in the textile composition and in the presence or absence of the silver (Ag) element, in the form of ions or silver nanoparticles (AgNP), which have biocidal activity. Objective: To evaluate the presence of total Ag and AgNP in masks produced to protect the population from COVID-19 being sold in Brazil during the pandemic. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive observational study with convenience sampling. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MS in the standard mode and in the single particle mode. Results: The concentrations of total Ag in the studied samples varied from 14 to 72 mu gg(-1). It was observed that 50% of the evaluated samples that claim to have AgNP had a size distribution between 17 and 57 nm. When subjected to the washing cycles, there was a reduction in the concentration of Ag, which raises the question as to its real biocidal effectiveness over time. Conclusions: The data generated can provide the current scenario of the concentration of silver in the masks and thus assess the potential benefit or risk of use for human and environmental health. In addition, this knowledge can provide technical-scientific support for the sanitary inspection of quality control and implementation of regulatory standards in this field of activity.

Out of time: the work and free time of uberized delivery workers during the covid-19 pandemic

The objective of the research was to analyze the relationship between work, free time and leisure for delivery personnel who work through digital platforms, in the covid-19 pandemiccontext. This is a qualitative and descriptive study, carried out via semi-structured interviewsand an online questionnaire, both with a convenience sample. The study shows that theprecariousness given by the uberization process has intensified in the pandemic context. Theresults show that a large part of the delivery workers time is now dedicated to work, whichreflected in the reduction of free time and in the even greater restriction of access to leisure © 2021. Este é um artigo Open Access sob uma licença CC BY-NC-ND (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)