ABSTRACT
The risk for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is partially driven by genetics. To identify the CAP-associated genetic risk loci, we performed a meta-analysis of clinically diagnosed CAP (3310 individuals) with 2655 healthy controls. The findings revealed CYP1A1 variants (rs2606345, rs4646903, rs1048943) associated with pneumonia. We observed rs2606345 [G vs T; OR=1.49(1.29-1.69); p=0.0001; I2= 15.5%], and rs1048943 [T vs G; OR= 1.31(0.90-1.71); p=0.002; I2=19.3%] as risk markers and rs4646903 [T vs C; OR= 0.79(0.62-0.96); p=0.03; I2=0%] as a protective marker for susceptibility to CAP, when compared with healthy controls. Our meta-analysis showed the presence of CYP1A1 SNP alleles contributing significant risk toward pneumonia susceptibility. Interestingly, we observed a striking difference of allele frequency for rs2606345 (CYP1A1) among Europeans, Africans and Asians which may provide a possible link for observed variations in death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral pneumonia. We report, for the first time, a significant positive correlation for the risk allele (T or A) of rs2606345, with a higher COVID-19 mortality rate worldwide and within a genetically heterogeneous nation like India. Mechanistically, the risk allele 'A' (rs2606345) is associated with lower expression of CYP1A1 and presumably leads to reduced capacity for xenobiotic detoxification. We note that ambient air pollution, a powerful inducer of CYP1A1 gene expression, is globally associated with lower, not higher mortality, as would normally be predicted. In conclusion, we find that CYP1A1 alleles are associated with CAP mortality, presumably via altered xenobiotic metabolism. We speculate that gene-environment interactions governing CYP1A1 expression may influence COVID-19 mortality.
Subject(s)
Pneumonia, Viral , Pneumonia , Death , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychological issues, including the prevalence of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers (HCWs) working in a tertiary care center. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey in which the survey link was sent to employees of the institute, either through personal messages or using various WhatsApp groups. The survey questionnaire assessed depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues among the HCWs.
ABSTRACT
Background: The existing literature on the mental health outcomes of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) is silent over the psychosocial issues being faced by the housekeeping/hospital attendants (HAs) and sanitary attendants (SAs) who are also actively involved in COVID-19 patient care and in biomedical waste management. This group of HCWs can be considered as the "faceless corona warriors", and their psychosocial issues needs to be focussed upon too. Aim: To evaluate the psychosocial issues and problems related to issues specific to carrying out duties in COVID-19 wards among the HAs and SAs. Materials and methods: An interview-based approach (cross-sectional assessment) conducted by healthcare professionals in the local languages of the HAs and SAs was followed. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Along with it, a self-designed questionnaire was added to evaluate the different emotional states and problems faced by the HAs and SAs during their COVID-19 duty.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease outbreak has affected more than 100 countries worldwide with more than 100,000 cases, during the first week of March 2020. As there are no approved therapeutics or vaccines for the treatment/prevention of COVID-19 till date, awareness among healthcare workers (HCWs) about the disease, mode of transmission, safety precautions, and early diagnosis plays a great role.
ABSTRACT
Background: In order to contain the spread of the COVID-19, Government of India imposed lockdown measures shutting down the corporates, businesses, schools, colleges and whole economy. Like earlier pandemics, this is also likely to cause a severe impact on the mental health of the people. This study has been taken up with the objective to firstly analyse the impact of the pandemic on mental health of college students in Delhi-NCR, India. Secondly, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 induced depression, anxiety and stress on the student’s satisfaction with life during this time.Methods: The mental health of the students has been assessed using DASS-21 scale of depression, anxiety, and stress. A structured questionnaire with DASS 21 items and demographic related to age, gender and educational level has been sent via email and other social media platforms.Findings: The results concluded 38%, 26.3% and 21% of the respondents having moderate, severe and extremely severe depression symptoms respectively. Around 47.3% students in Delhi/NCR have been experiencing extremely severe anxiety, while 25.7% of the students’ have been experiencing moderate to severe anxiety. The 45.6% of the students has shown moderate symptoms of stress, whereas, 28.7% has been experiencing severe stress. The depression, anxiety and stress due to COVID-19 has been negatively impacting the life satisfaction of the college studentsInterpretation: The anxiety, stress and depression levels varied with the age of the respondent. It has also been found that DASS-21 sub scales negatively impact the student’s satisfaction with life. As the depression, anxiety and stress increases the life satisfaction reduces for students.Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Declaration of Interests: None to declare.Ethics Approval Statement: Ethics Committee approval has been duly obtained.