ABSTRACT
Objectives: Sacral neuromodulation is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. However, regular postoperative programming is crucial for the maintenance of the curative effects of electronic sacral stimulator devices. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) limited the ability of practitioners to perform traditional face-to-face programming of these stimulators. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the application of remote programming technology for sacral neuromodulation during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected data including baseline and programming information of all patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction who underwent sacral neuromodulation remote programming in China after the outbreak of COVID-19 (i.e., December 2019). The patients also completed a self-designed telephone questionnaire on the subject. Results: A total of 51 patients from 16 centers were included. They underwent 180 total remote programming visits, and 118, 2, 25, and 54 voltage, current, pulse width, and frequency adjustments, respectively, were performed. Additionally, remote switching on and off was performed 8 times; impedance test, 54 times; and stimulation contact replacement, 25 times. The demand for remote programming was the highest during the first 6 months of sacral neuromodulation (average, 2.39 times per person). In total, 36 out of the 51 patients completed the questionnaire survey. Of these, all indicated that they chose remote programming to minimize unnecessary travel because they had been affected by COVID-19. The questionnaire also showed that remote programming could reduce the number of patient visits to the hospital, save time, reduce financial costs, and would be easy for patients to master. All surveyed patients indicated that they were satisfied with remote programming and were willing to recommend it to other patients. Conclusion: Remote programming for sacral neuromodulation is feasible, effective, safe, and highly recommended by patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. Remote programming technology has great development and application potential in the post-pandemic era.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To conduct on-site epidemiological investigation, emergency response, tracing of infection source and analysis of a confirmed COVID-19 case of a foreign airline cargo service staff member in Shanghai's international airport, aiming to provide reference for prevention of imported COVID-19 cases under regular prevention and control of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to understand the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Shanghai specifically during the epidemic period of novel corona-virus pneumonia (COVID-19), to provide a reference for preventing the transmission of imported malaria after this disease had been previously eliminated. METHODS: The data of malaria cases reported in Shanghai from 2020 to 2021 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP) and the Information System for Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention (ISPDCP). The characteristics of demographic and epidemiological distribution, travel-related information, diagnosis information, regions of infection acquisition and disposal information of epidemic situation were analysed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 112 cases of malaria were reported in Shanghai from January 2020 to December 2021. There were 18 cases and 94 cases in 2020 and 2021, respectively, reaching the lowest and highest levels in the past 10 years. The incidence of malaria associated with seasons had an increasing trend (χ2 = 81.143, P < 0.05). These cases included Plasmodium falciparum (97, 86.61%), Plasmodium vivax (4, 3.57%), Plasmodium ovale (8, 7.14%) and Plasmodium malariae (3, 2.68%). The median age of patients with malaria was 38.0 years, the majority of these individuals were males (109, 97.32%), and most of them were labour personnel (93, 83.04%). Of the reported cases, 8 of these individuals (7.14%) reported experiencing malaria symptoms before their arrival in China after their stay overseas; 97 of these individuals (86.61%) reported experiencing symptoms within 14 days after their initial arrival from overseas; 15 of these individuals (13.39%) were diagnosed with 'severe malaria'; and 4 of these individuals (3.57%) were also diagnosed with COVID-19. All cases were imported from Africa, and there were no indigenous cases and deaths. CONCLUSION: Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of imported malaria cases in Shanghai had greatly increased; however, prevention and control measures for imported malaria could be implemented to prevent re-transmission of this condition. Considering that the number of individuals returning from overseas labour is likely to increase in the next few years, it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of imported malaria and to review the protocol for potential epidemic situations. Together, these measures could support the maintation of free-malaria status in Shanghai.