Physical activity and long COVID: findings from the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health in Adults cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the longitudinal association between physical activity and the risk of long COVID in patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health cohort, a prospective cohort study with adults living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Participants responded to an online, self-administered questionnaire in June 2020 (wave 1) and June 2022 (wave 4). Only participants who self-reported a positive test for COVID-19 were included. Physical activity was assessed before (wave 1, retrospectively) and during the pandemic (wave 1). Long COVID was assessed in wave 4 and defined as any post-COVID-19 symptoms that persisted for at least 3 months after infection. RESULTS: A total of 237 participants (75.1% women; mean age [standard deviation]: 37.1 [12.3]) were included in this study. The prevalence of physical inactivity in baseline was 71.7%, whereas 76.4% were classified with long COVID in wave 4. In the multivariate analysis, physical activity during the pandemic was associated with a reduced likelihood of long COVID (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.99) and a reduced duration of long COVID symptoms (odds ratio: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Participants who remained physically active from before to during the pandemic were less likely to report long COVID (PR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), fatigue (PR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.76), neurological complications (PR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27-0.80), cough (PR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22-0.71), and loss of sense of smell or taste (PR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21-0.87) as symptom-specific long COVID. CONCLUSION: Physical activity practice was associated with reduced risk of long COVID in adults.

Prospective cohort of elderly patients after hospitalization due to COVID-19: preliminary results

Background: Post Covid-19 syndrome is recognized as the maintenance of disease symptoms for weeks to months after the disease has healed. It is suspected that the involvement of the ACE enzyme and IL-6 may trigger an increased risk of dementia. Method(s): This is a cohort study that is evaluating over 12 months the functional status and cognition of elderly people after hospital discharge. One group is composed of elderly people admitted to the hospital for Covid-19 and the other group is composed of elderly people hospitalized for other clinical reasons. The groups are evaluated with The Mattis (DRS), AD8, IQCODE, ADCS-ADL, PCL-C, GDS-15, FIM, COPM, CFS, FSS, mMRC and SARC-calf. We will describe the preliminary results of the first 15 patients included in the COVID-19 group on functional status, cognition, mood and quality of life. Result(s): Fifteen patients with COVID-19 were evaluated three months after hospital discharge. One was excluded due to previous mental disorder and another due to a request to be excluded from the study. We found a mean age of 67.7 +/- 7.15 years, schooling 8.7 +/- 4.7 years, 61.5% female, Charlson Comorbidity Index 1.9 +/- 1.4, 69.2% with smoking history had incomplete vaccine protection for COVID-19. Considering cognition, 15.4% of the sample had no impairment, 53.9% had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (30.8% amnestic MCI and 23.1% non-amnesic MCI) and 30.8% had dementia. 23.1% declared their health status and quality of life as fair or poor. Median CFS was 5 (3-5), mean GDS-15 was 4.7 +/- 2.9, FSS 32.9 +/- 18.9, PCL-c 32.6 +/- 12.5, SARC-calf 3.2 +/- 4.2. All had mMRC dyspnea classified between 2 and 4. Conclusion(s): There was a high prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia among patients after three months of discharge, with a predominance of mild frailty due to CFS and the presence of fatigue. It is noteworthy that a quarter of the sample reported low quality of life. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.

Longitudinal study about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in a southern Brazilian state: the PAMPA cohort

This study aimed to describe the effects of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health, chronic disease management, and economic situation in adults from a southern Brazilian state. Data from the baseline of the PAMPA (Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health) cohort, a population-based, longitudinal study is presented. An online-based questionnaire was used to assess the variables pre- and during social distancing. Most of the respondents (N=2,321) were women (76.7%), white (90.6%), had at least university degree (66.7%), and were overweight or obese (53.3%). Nearly 40% were not able to work from home and 45.3% had monthly income reduced during social distancing. Moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and anxiety increased 7.3x and 8.4x from before to during social distancing. Three quarters reported low back pain (74.2%;95%CI: 71.9%, 76.3%) during the same period while the prevalence of physical inactivity increased 31.2%. Managing chronic conditions was harder during social distancing for 28.5% of the participants. Roughly 40% reported that did not seek medical assistance even when necessary during this period. COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the health of adults from a southern Brazilian state in several aspects.

YOUTH AND ADULT EDUCATION (EJA) IN TIMES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION: CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS UNDER THE TEACHERS 'VIEWS

A reflection on Youth and Adult Education is presented, based on the recent isolation scenario caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the perceptions and positions of teachers working in public education in the Administrative Region of the Structural City, in the Federal District (DF), the objective was to reflect on the challenges and limitations imposed on the modality, as well as the possibilities of overcoming it. It is an exploratory research, based on bibliographic and documentary studies, and on the results expressed in an online questionnaire, applied to teachers. The work had as source: the related legislation, authors specialized in Youth and Adult Education and official data. The modality is considered to represent a State responsibility to its citizens. However, it appears that the obstacles imposed are even greater for the public of Youth and Adult Education, given the unfavorable social condition of the investigated context and the difficulties in accessing technological resources. Despite the uncertainties, there is hope of overcoming the difficulties and opening up for the implementation of viable alternatives.

Depression and anxiety symptoms remained elevated after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Brazil: findings from the PAMPA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the changes in depression and anxiety symptoms among Brazilian adults over 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The present study used data from wave 1 (June/July 2020) and wave 2 (December 2020/January 2021) of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA) Cohort, a state-level, ambispective longitudinal study with adults from southern Brazil. The frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Anxiety and depressive symptoms before social distancing were retrospectively assessed during wave 1. RESULTS: Most of the 674 participants were classified as non-symptomatic for depressive (85.0%) and anxiety symptoms (73.2%) before the COVID-19 pandemic. At wave 1, there were increases in symptoms of depression (7.6% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.2%, 8.1%]) and anxiety (9.1% [95% CI: 8.6%, 9.5%]). These decreased at wave 2 (depression: 6.9% [95% CI: 6.5%, 7.2%]; anxiety: 7.4% [95% CI: 7.1%, 7.8%]) although they were still elevated compared with pre-COVID (depression: 4.5% [95% CI: 4.2%, 4.8%]; anxiety: 5.8% [95% CI: 5.5%, 6.1%]). Adults living alone (b = 0.44 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.82]) had a faster trajectory in anxiety symptoms than their counterparts. Cohort members who were living alone (b = 0.24 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.42]) and with diagnosed chronic disease (0.32 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.46]) had a faster increase in depressive symptoms than their respective counterparts. Participants aged ≥60 years showed a slower trajectory of depressive (b = -0.46 [95% CI: -0.73, -0.18]) and anxiety (b = -0.61 [95% CI: -1.20, -0.02) symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: During 10 months of COVID-19, anxiety and depression symptoms improved but were still higher than before COVID-19.

Association between specific types of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of subjective memory decline: findings from the PAMPA Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the effects of different physical activities practised during the time period when COVID-19 social distancing measures were in place on the risk of subjective memory decline in adults. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Data from the Prospective Study about Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA), a state-level (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), online-based cohort study, were analysed. Respondents were asked to rate their memory before COVID-19 social distancing measures were implemented (retrospectively) and on the day that the survey was completed. Subjective memory decline was defined as a perceived worsening of memory function during COVID-19 social distancing compared with the pre-pandemic period. The types of physical activity practised before and during COVID-19 social distancing measures were assessed. RESULTS: Data from 2319 adults were included. Out-of-home endurance, muscle strengthening, combined endurance and muscle strengthening, and stretching activities reduced the risk of subjective memory decline during the pandemic. In terms of physical activities practised at home, only muscle strengthening did not protect against subjective memory decline. Participants who sustained any type of physical activity at home during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a reduced risk for subjective memory decline. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, regardless of the type of activity and location performed, during the time period when COVID-19 social distancing measures were in place can mitigate the effects of the pandemic on subjective memory decline.

Quality and safety innovations in the Radiology Department during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Latin American experience

Radiology departments were forced to make significant changes in their routine during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus and optimize medical care as well. In this article, we describe our Radiology Department's policies in a private hospital for coronavirus disease 2019 preparedness focusing on quality and safety for the patient submitted to imaging tests, the healthcare team involved in the exams, the requesting physician, and for other patients and hospital environment.

Sharp increase in depression and anxiety among Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the PAMPA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms before and during the pandemic and identify factors associated with aggravated mental health symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We identified the proportion of normal, mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety before and during the social distancing restrictions in adults from southern Brazil. An online, self-administered questionnaire was delivered for residents within the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were examined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Most of the participants (n = 2314) aged between 31 and 59 years (54.2%), were women (76.6%), White (90.6%) with a university degree (66.6%). Moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and anxiety were reported in 3.9% and 4.5% of participants, respectively, before COVID-19. During the pandemic (June-July, 2020), these proportions increased to 29.1% (6.6-fold increase) and 37.8% (7.4-fold increase), respectively. Higher rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed among women, those aged 18-30 years, diagnosed with chronic disease and participants who had their income negatively affected by social restrictions. Remaining active or becoming physically active during social distancing restrictions reduced the probability of aggravated mental health disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive and anxiety symptoms had a 6.6- and 7.4-fold increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Public policies such as physical activity promotion and strategies to reduce the economic strain caused by this pandemic are urgently needed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on mental health.

Evidence on the impacts of covid-19 pandemic on violence against children: Scoping review

Objective: to map existing evidence in the literature on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on child violence. Method: scope review carried out according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the international guide PRISMA-ScR in the Databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and LILACS in October 2020. Inclusion criteria were: studies available in full text, online, in the Portuguese, English or Spanish language, published in 2020 and addressing violence against children in the context of the pandemic. The data were submitted to descriptive analysis. Results: 216 articles were found, of which 26 were kept for review. The results were presented in the form of a table and, for their discussion, were summarized in the following axes: Closing schools, increasing risks and reducing reports of violence;Economic changes, parental stress and increased violence against children;Health professionals, protection services and negligence violence against children. Conclusion: the Covid-19 pandemic has had numerous impacts on violence against children. The summary of the findings of this review may contribute to the dissemination of the theme and stimulate actions that favor the identification, notification and monitoring of cases of violence against children as an important part of the responses against the Covid-19 pandemic. © 2021, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. All rights reserved.

Perceptive changes in endurance athletes during social isolation due to covid-19

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to social isolation measures in different contexts. In endurance sports, competitions worldwide have been canceled, affecting behavioral, psychological, and physical aspects. Objective: This study aimed to assess potential associations between stress, motivation, behavioral changes, and physical fitness in endurance athletes, and time in social isolation. Methods: A cross-sectional study with the participation of 201 athletes, including mountain bikers (n = 89), runners (n = 88) and triathletes (n = 24). Each participant answered questions about time spent in isolation;body weight;changes in training schedule during the isolation period;levels of motivation;stress levels;loss of physical fitness;what aspect of physical fitness was most jeopardized during the isolation period;alcohol consumption;quality of sleep;quality of diet;and whether they had been ill during the isolation period. Results: The results showed significant differences between the percentage of runners (4.5%) and triathletes (16.7%) who had been isolated from 1-10 days, and between the percentage of cyclists (41.6%) and runners (68.2%) in 11-20 days and >20 days (28.1% and 9.1%) respectively. Social isolation was significantly associated with at least one variable for the three groups of athletes;however, the runners were the most affected by the pandemic, presenting an association with low motivation, high stress, poorer quality of sleep, increased alcohol consumption, and loss of physical fitness. Conclusion: Our study showed that the period of social isolation, specifically over time > 10 days, generated significant changes in the perceptions of motivation, stress, alcohol consumption, and physical fitness of endurance athletes, with runners being the most affected group. Level of Evidence III;Diagnostic studies-Investigation of a diagnostic test;Study of non-consecutive patients, without a “gold standard” applied uniformly. © 2020, Redprint Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

News on brazilian nursing in the covid-19 pandemic

Objective: To analyze the impact and visibility that journalistic news brought to Brazilian Nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Documentary study developed based on information collected from news sites, news programs, radio programs and written press through clipping;as well as the monitoring of demands performed by the Communication Offi ce of the Federal Nursing Council (Portuguese acronym: COFEN), based on articles of national and international scope. After selection, these were systematized based on the content analysis framework. Results: One hundred and thirty-six news from mass media published from March 16 to May 31, 2020 were selected. Through the analysis, narrative patterns were identifi ed and classifi ed into three thematic categories, namely: Political and Professional Protagonism of Brazilian Nursing;Working Conditions of Nursing Professionals;and Vulnerability, Illness and Death of Nursing Professionals. Conclusion: The news contributed to give greater visibility to the work of the Nursing team, warn of the precarious working conditions to which they are exposed, and raise public awareness of the disease progress among Nursing team professionals. © 2021 Departamento de Enfermagem/Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved.

What are the challenges of epidemiological research during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact in several areas, and in scientific research was not different. Researchers are working from their homes since research facilities and universities were closed, and face-to-face interaction where limited to stop the virus spread. This brought a lot of changes in observational studies, especially in epidemiology research. Since most studies are being conducted through internet-based assessments, researchers are facing different challenges regarding data collection and participants recruitment, for example. In this paper, we share some of the challenges faced in a population-based study conducted in Southern Brazil, as well as possible alternatives to help researchers to overcome these issues. © 2021 Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP. All rights reserved.