Professional Quality of Life of Healthcare Workers in Hospital Emergency Departments.

In previous publications, we have reported that professionals in emergency departments undergo high levels of stress according to the amounts of salivary biomarkers (α-amylase and cortisol). The stress seems to be counteracted by increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone. This hypothesis is confirmed in the answers to different tests indicating no working stress, no anxiety, optimal self-efficacy, and good sleeping quality. Altogether, these previous results suggest an optimal adaptation of these workers to the demanding situations that occur in emergency departments. To complete this research, we decided to evaluate the quality of life of health professionals working in the emergency departments of two Spanish hospitals. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the pre-pandemic months of July and August 2019. We determined the professional quality of life through the QPL-35 questionnaire in 97 participants, including nurses (n = 59) and medical doctors (n = 38). Answers to the test indicate that the studied participants working in emergency departments have a good perception of professional quality of life. This is reflected in the three dimensions of the questionnaire: managerial support, workloads, and intrinsic motivation. Based on the results of all answered tests, emergency healthcare staff seem to have adequate professional management, with levels of stress, sleep, and quality of life in line with a controlled lifestyle. Altogether, this would allow a correct adaptation to the demanding situations experienced in emergency departments. The relevance to clinical practice is that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this controlled professional management.

Effects and Causes of Detraining in Athletes Due to COVID-19: A Review.

Several aspects of systemic alterations caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resultant COVID-19 disease have been currently explored in the general population. However, very little is known about these particular aspects in sportsmen and sportswomen. We believe that the most important element to take into account is the neuromuscular aspect, due to the implications that this system entails in motion execution and coordination. In this context, deficient neuromuscular control when performing dynamic actions can be an important risk factor for injury. Therefore, data in this review refer mainly to problems derived in the short term from athletes who have suffered this pathology, taking into account that COVID-19 is a very new disease and the presented data are still not conclusive. The review addresses two key aspects: performance alteration and the return to regular professional physical activity. COVID-19 causes metabolic-respiratory, muscular, cardiac, and neurological alterations that are accompanied by a situation of stress. All of these have a clear influence on performance but at the same time in the strategy of returning to optimal conditions to train and compete again after infection. From the clinical evidence, the resumption of physical training and sports activity should be carried out progressively, both in terms of time and intensity.

Peripheral Neuropathies Derived from COVID-19: New Perspectives for Treatment.

Peripheral neuropathies constitute a group of disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathies have multiple causes such as infections (i.e., COVID-19), diabetes, and nutritional (low vitamin levels), among others. Many micronutrients, such as vitamins (A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and folate), certain minerals (Fe, Mg, Zn, Se, and Cu), and ω-3 fatty acids have immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, they may play an instrumental role in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. However, many COVID-19 patients can undergo neuropathy. In this context, there is a wealth of information on a variety of first-, second-, and third-line treatment options. This review focuses on the application of nutraceutical strategies in order to improve the symptomatology of neuropathy and neuropathic pain in patients that suffered from COVID-19. Our aim is to provide an alternative vision to traditional medical-pharmacological treatment through nutraceuticals.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscle Status in Old Patients Recovering from COVID-19 Infection.

Background and Objectives: Vitamin D, in addition to its effect on mineral homeostasis, plays a key role in muscle metabolism. Vitamin D supplementation is involved in muscle recovery after damage as a consequence of either pathology or after high-intensity exercise. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of vitamin D on muscle fitness in elderly patients in the recovery phase after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. Materials and Methods: This pilot study was conducted at the Soria Norte Health Center. The study consisted of a double-blind trial with two groups of men (placebo and vitamin D-supplemented) (n = 15/group). Treatment with vitamin D (cholecalciferol: 2000 IU/day) and placebo was carried out for 6 weeks. Circulating hematological and biochemical parameters (total protein, glucose, vitamin D, urea, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase/glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, alanine aminotransferase/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aldolase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and myoglobin) and the hormones cortisol and testosterone were determined. As for respiratory function tests, FEV1 and respiratory flow were also studied. For physical fitness tests, the "six-minute walk test" (6MWT) was used. Results: After vitamin D supplementation, we observed that serum creatine kinase levels returned to optimal values. This change suggests a protective role of vitamin D against muscle catabolism compared to placebo. In terms of physical test results, we observed only slight non-significant improvements, although patients reported feeling better. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation produces decreases in indicators of muscle damage, which may ultimately contribute to improving the health status and quality of life of patients who have suffered from COVID-19, during the recovery process.