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Background COVID-19 usually cause a mild infection among children with a low fatality rate. On the other hand, increasing evidence suggests that children may have prolonged symptoms related to COVID-19. This study aims to describe the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms up to 12 or more weeks among children and to investigate associated factors including perceived socioeconomic status and parents’ education level. Methods The study group consisted of 759 cases aged <18 years detected as SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive in DEU Hospital between March 2020, and May 2021. Interviews were conducted at 1st 3rd and 6th month of diagnosis. The ongoing self-reported symptoms 12 or more weeks after infection was the dependent variable. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate associated factors with long COVID, and robust clustering using links algorithm was used to assess long COVID symptoms clusters. Results Among 759 COVID-19 cases, 22 children were hospitalized, and 4 died. 9.6% of the children had at least one symptom related to COVID-19 after 12 weeks of the diagnosis, Symptom duration was minimum 84 days, maximum 344 days (mean±SD: 160±68 days). The most frequent symptoms were fatigue, muscle-joint pain, headache, and loss of smell and/or taste. In multivariate analysis, female gender (OR:2,3 95%CI:1.1-3.6) and symptomatic onset (OR:2,7 95%CI:1.7-20.9) were related to increased risk of long COVID. Age, long-term health conditions, socioeconomic status and mother's education level did not predict the risk of long COVID. No cluster of symptoms was found. Conclusions About 10% of children suffer from symptoms related to COVID-19 for up to six months. Female gender and symptomatic onset of disease increased the risk of prolonged symptoms. Socioeconomic status and mother's education level was not associated with the risk of long COVID, but the evidence of the effect of social determinants of health on the outcomes of COVID-19 among children is still needed. Key messages • One out of ten children may suffer from long COVID represents symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Girls and children with symptomatic onset have a higher risk of long COVID. • The effects of social determinants on the susceptibility and outcomes of COVID-19, including death, were well studied among the adult population. There is a need for sound evidence for children.
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Background It has been shown that COVID-19 can cause symptoms and diseases such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. This study aimed to describe prevalence of feeling anxious or depressive among COVID-19 patients in six months of follow-up time and its association with baseline independent factors. Methods This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥18 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Turkey between November 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. Participants were interviewed by telephone calls on the 1st, 3rd and 6th months after diagnosis. The dependent variable of the study was self-reported moderate or severe anxiety or depression based on EQ-5D-3L general quality of life scale. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify the factors associated with feeling anxious and depressive after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results In total 5446 patients agreed to participate in the study. Frequency of feeling anxious or depressive at the 1st, 3rd and 6th months after diagnosis were 18.5%, 17.9% and 15.4%, respectively. Older age (≥65 years;odds ratio-OR:1.17, 95% confidence interval-CI: 0.95-1.44), female gender (OR:1.76 (1.58-1.96)), bad economic status (OR: 1.62 (1.34-1.97)), having more symptoms (4-5, OR:1.48 (1.21-1.81);≥5, OR:1.65 (1.35-2.01)), having more underlying health conditions (1-2, OR:1.35 (1.19-1.54);≥3: OR:1.50 (1.13-1.99)), intensive care unit admission (OR: 2.58 (1.70-3.90)) were associated with self-reported anxiety and depression. Conclusions Feelings of anxiety and depression are common in COVID-19 patients and may persist in the long term. Anxiety and depression were associated with gender, economic status and disease severity. Determination of vulnerable groups for anxiety and depression after COVID-19 can be helpful for early diagnosis and initiation of mental care services. Key messages • As a consequence of Covid-19, anxiety and depression in Covid-19 survivors are common generally. It shouldn't be overlooked or underestimated for the public mental well-being. • Covid-19 mental effects on the population have a correlation with social determinants of health. Therefore, determining vulnerable groups is a key to planning mental care services.
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Background and aim There is limited research on how common the longer-term effects of COVID-19. This study aimed to describe changes in symptoms of COVID-19 patients at the 1st and 3rd months after diagnosis. Methods Patients older than 18-years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Dokuz Eylül University Hospital-Turkey in December 2020 (n = 1434) were included in this prospective cohort study. Overall, 1029 patients (71.8%) completed the 1st month and 3rd-month follow-up. Data on demographic characteristics, chronic disease history, symptom history and hospitalization were collected via telephone interviews. Based on the relapsing nature of the disease, the presence or absence of any COVID-19 related symptoms within a week before the 1st and 3rd-month interview was questioned. Categorical variables (n, %) were compared using the chi-square test. Results Of the 1029 patients, 92.8% were symptomatic. The most common initial symptoms were muscle or body aches (58.5%), fatigue (57.8%) and loss of smell (53.1%). Among the symptomatic patients, 40.8% and 27.6% reported at least one symptom in the 1st and 3rd months, respectively. Mean number of symptoms was 4.5±2.6 at diagnosis, 2.3±1.7 at the 1st month and 2.5±2.3 at the 3rd month. The most common persistent symptoms by the 1st month were muscle or body aches (11.1%), heart palpitations (6.4%), and shortness of breath (5.8%). Muscle or body aches (9.5%), shortness of breath (4.2%) and fatigue (4.2%) were reported as persistent by the 3rd month. Persistent symptoms up to the 3rd month were more common in women (33.3% vs 21.3%, p < 0.001), in the patients aged >50 years (32.8% vs 25%, p = 0.01) and in the patients with comorbidities (31.8% vs 25.1%, p = 0.03). Conclusions Over a quarter of patients (27.6%) reported persistent symptoms even after 3 months of diagnosis. Rehabilitation and long-term monitoring programs for patients aged >50 years with comorbidities could be useful in responding to this problem. Key messages Over a quarter of patients report persisting symptoms even after 3 months of initial diagnosis. Follow-up programs could be useful in appropriately managing any persistent or emerging long-term sequelae.
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Background There is limited research on children infected with Covid-19 after initial diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe changes in symptoms in children infected by Covid-19 after 1st and 3rd months of diagnosis. Methods Covid-19 patients age under 18 admitted to the Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey during December 2020 (n = 144) and completed three months follow-up (n = 123) were included in this prospective cohort study. Data on age, sex, parents' educational status, perceived economic status, presence of Covid-19 patient at household, chronic diseases history, initial and existing symptoms and perception of recovery were collected via telephone interviews. Persistent symptom was defined as any symptom reported within a week of the interview. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U Test were used for univariate analyses. Results Out of 124 patients, 89.3% reported a symptom at time of diagnosis, 21.0% at 1st month and 11.4% at the 3rd-month follow-up. Median number of symptoms was 2 at diagnosis, 0 at 1st and the 3rd month. The most common initial symptoms were fever (52.4%), weakness (40.3%), flu like symptoms (25.8%) and cough (24.4%). The most common persistent symptoms by the 1st month were fatigue (5.7%), cough (4.1%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (4.1%), and by the 3rd month were fatigue (2.4%), weakness (2.4%), respiratory symptoms and chest pain (2.4%). 10.6% of the patients were not fully recovered by the 3rd month. Persistent symptoms at the end of 1st month were more common in children with chronic diseases (36.6% vs 13.3%, p = 0.003) and who were not recovered fully (63.6% vs 15.5%, p = 0.001). Parents' education level, perceived economic status, and presence of Covid-19 patients at household were not associated with persisting symptoms. Conclusions COVID-19 symptoms may persist by three months of infection, especially in children with chronic conditions. Health care providers should consider following up those children with special care. Key messages COVID-19 symptoms may persist by three months of infection, especially in children with chronic conditions. Health care providers should consider following up those children with special care.
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BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. Strict measures generally focus on the patient-to-HCW contacts. However, interactions between the HCWs also pose a high risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. AIMS: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of social contacts on the level of SARS-CoV-2 exposure risk among workers by broadening the current risk assessment algorithm. METHODS: Contact tracing records of the workers in a large university hospital between 19th March and 31st December 2020 were analysed. Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate factors associated with high-risk exposure for contacts among workers. RESULTS: Of the 329 exposed clusters, 260 (79%) were HCW-to-HCW contacted clusters. High-risk exposure was higher in the HCW-to-HCW contacts (44%), when compared to the patient-to-HCW contacts (5%) (P < 0.001). A total of 1827 HCWs contacted a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-positive co-worker. Among the HCW-to-HCW contacts, high-risk exposure was higher in the support staff (49%, P < 0.001), in non-patient care settings (47%, P < 0.001) and in the social contacts (57%, P < 0.001). Social contacts between workers increased the high-risk exposure (adjusted odds ratio: 3.50, 95% confidence interval 2.62-4.69) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association between social contacts among workers and high-risk exposure of SARS-CoV-2 was observed. The results of the study emphasize the need for policies regarding the improved protection of HCWs in social settings in addition to patient care services.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Occupational Exposure , Health Personnel , Humans , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Risk Assessment , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objective: It is important to put forward the characteristics of the COVID-19 cases to fight the disease effectively. The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. And also to determine the risk factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the characteristics of the confirmed COVID-19 cases who applied to a University Hospital in Turkey between March 19th and June 11th, 2020, were analyzed. Variables such as epidemic trend, case fatality rate, need for hospitalization, ICU admission rate, and ICU mortality were calculated. In addition, risk factors affecting ICU admission and death were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: 19.8% of 654 cases participating in the study were asymptomatic at admission. ICU admission rate was 7.6% and case fatality rate found to be 7.8%. Age, male gender, and cancer were associated with ICU admission. Each 1-unit increase in age increased ICU admissions by 8% (OR: 1.08;CI: 1.06-1.10). Men had a 2.71 times higher risk of ICU admission (OR: 2.71;CI: 1.37-5.39);and cancer patients showed 3.72 (OR: 3.72;CI: 1.35-10.20) times more ICU admissions (p<0.05). Age, cancer, and ICU admission were associated with death. Each 1-unit increase in age increased the risk of death by 10% (OR: 1.10;CI: 1.06-1.15). The risk of death was found to be 5.22 times higher in cancer patients (OR: 5.22;GA: 1.09-24.89) and 87.42 times higher in those admitted to ICU (OR: 87.42;GA: 30.15-153.46) (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was revealed that the course of the disease worsens, and deaths increase with age. Male gender has been associated with the increased need for intensive care. Cancer was significantly associated both with ICU admission and death. Attention should be paid to the groups of elderly, men and those with a comorbidity. More detailed studies with larger samples are of critical importance in fighting against the pandemic. © 2021, DOC Design and Informatics Co. Ltd.. All rights reserved.