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Objective: This study aims at comparing the patients with spinal trauma in the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic era and pre-pandemic era. Materials and Methods: Patient records for a 9-month period of pandemic (April 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020) and the same period of the previous year (April 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019) were retrospectively collected. These 2 periods were compared in terms of the total number of patients with spinal trauma, the type of injuries, the level of injuries in the spine, the treatment methods applied, and whether there was a neurological deficit. The first group was called as pandemic group (PG) and the latter as control group (CG). The differences between them were statistically examined. Results: The study sampled 278 patients (CG: 203 patients, PG: 75 patients). It was detected that the number of patients with spinal trauma in the PG dropped by 60% compared to the CG. The most frequent cause of spinal trauma for both groups was traffic accidents. No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of the type, level and severity of injuries, neurological examination findings and method of treatment (p>0.05). However, the rate of indoor or outdoor falls were significantly different between the two groups (p=0.002). Conclusion: It has been determined that the pandemic-induced social isolation and lockdown process is an important factor in the primordial prevention of spinal trauma. With the result obtained, we think that if adequate and correct measures are taken, the number of spinal traumas will continue to remain low in the post-pandemic period as well. © Copyright 2022 by the Turkish Spine Society/The Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery published by Galenos Publishing House.
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Large-scale observational epidemiological studies provide essential information for the development of prevention policies for chronic diseases such as obesity. Since 2009, the French NutriNet-Sante cohort has been used as the basis for 29 empirical studies on obesity. The aim of this review is to present a summary of the findings of those studies and to deduce the contribution of NutriNet-Sante to the understanding of obesity. Among the 29 studies, 5 analyzed obesity as an exposure variable, 23 - as an outcome, and 1 - as a moderator. When modelled as a determinant (or exposure), obesity was cross-sectionally and positively associated with migraine and functional dyspepsia, respectively. In turn, when modelled as a consequence (or outcome), obesity was positively associated with different dietary factors, such as the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet and preference for fatty food. Other factors were inversely associated with obesity, such as following an organic diet. Some psychological factors were positively (e.g. impulsivity) or inversely associated (e.g. optimism) with obesity risk. In NutriNet-Sante, further studies on obesity are underway, dealing with its association with COVID-19 and mental disorders.Copyright © 2022 Societe francaise de nutrition
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INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 infection has, in most cases, a mild course, although acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with higher mortality. OBJECTIVE: To determine overall mortality in hospitalized or intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Inferential analysis from a database of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of Mexico. SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, hospitalized within the January 2020-December 2021 period, were included. General characteristics were described and a binary regression model was created to determine associations with mortality. RESULTS: 116,446 patients who required hospital admission were identified. Overall mortality was 44%; in-hospital mortality, 33%; and ICU mortality, 33%. Mortality of patients with mechanical ventilation and hospital admission was 87%, and with ICU admission, 75%. In the public sector, hospital admissions at the Mexican Institute of Social Security and the Ministry of Health predominated, with OR = 2.24 (p = 0.004) and OR = 2.55 (p = 0.001), respectively, for mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality was higher in the public sector, and this could be due to the overcrowding of services, which determined a scarcity of resources.
INTRODUCCIÓN: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en la mayoría de los casos tiene un curso leve, aunque la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda se asocia a mayor mortalidad. OBJETIVO: Determinar la mortalidad global en pacientes con COVID-19 hospitalizados o en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). MÉTODOS: Análisis inferencial a partir de una base de datos del periodo enero de 2020-diciembre de 2021, de la Dirección General de Epidemiología de México. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados positivos a SARS-CoV-2. Se describieron las características generales y se realizó un modelo de regresión binaria para determinar las asociaciones con la mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 116 446 pacientes que requirieron ingreso hospitalario. La mortalidad global fue de 44 %, la intrahospitalaria de 33 % y en la UCI de 33 %. La mortalidad de pacientes con ventilación mecánica e ingreso hospitalario fue de 87 % y en la UCI de 75 %. En el sector público predominaron los ingresos al Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social y a la Secretaría de Salud, cada uno con RM = 2.24 (p = 0.004) y RM = 2.55 (p = 0.001) para mortalidad. CONCLUSIÓN: La mortalidad fue mayor en el sector público y pudo deberse a la saturación de los servicios, lo que condicionó escasez de recursos.
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COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemics , Mexico/epidemiology , Critical Care , Intensive Care UnitsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Arab region has witnessed different biological hazards, including cholera, yellow fever, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, changes in rainfall and increased vegetation cover led to locust outbreaks in Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. This problem still exists and affects more than 20 countries and concerns indicate food shortages and food insecurity for more than 20 million people. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect mental health problems related to climate change in the Arab world. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was applied to determine the prevalence of mental health problems related to climate change (MHPCC). A random sample consisted of 1080 participants (523 male and 557 female), residents in 18 Arab countries; their ages ranged from 25 to 60 years. The Mental Health Problems related to Climate Change Questionnaire (MHPCCQ) was completed online. RESULTS: The results indicated average levels of MHPCC prevalence. The results also revealed no significant statistical differences in the MHPCC due to gender, educational class, and marital status except in climate anxiety; there were statistical differences in favor of married subgroup individuals. At the same time, there are statistically significant differences in the MHPCC due to the residing country variable in favor of Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Libya, and Oman regarding fears, anxiety, alienation, and somatic symptoms. In addition, Tunisia, Bahrain, Sudan, and Iraq were higher in climate depression than the other countries. CONCLUSION: The findings shed light on the prevalence of MHPCC in the Arab world and oblige mental health system workers, including policymakers, mental health providers, and departments of psychology in Arab universities, to take urgent action to assess and develop the system for mental health to manage the risks of extreme climate change on the human mental health.
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Resumen Introducción: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en la mayoría de los casos tiene un curso leve, aunque la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda se asocia a mayor mortalidad. Objetivo: Determinar la mortalidad global en pacientes con COVID-19 hospitalizados o en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: Análisis inferencial a partir de una base de datos del periodo enero de 2020-diciembre de 2021, de la Dirección General de Epidemiología de México. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados positivos a SARS-CoV-2. Se describieron las características generales y se realizó un modelo de regresión binaria para determinar las asociaciones con la mortalidad. Resultados: Se identificaron 116 446 pacientes que requirieron ingreso hospitalario. La mortalidad global fue de 44 %, la intrahospitalaria de 33 % y en la UCI de 33 %. La mortalidad de pacientes con ventilación mecánica e ingreso hospitalario fue de 87 % y en la UCI de 75 %. En el sector público predominaron los ingresos al Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social y a la Secretaría de Salud, cada uno con RM = 2.24 (p = 0.004) y RM = 2.55 (p = 0.001) para mortalidad. Conclusión: La mortalidad fue mayor en el sector público y pudo deberse a la saturación de los servicios, lo que condicionó escasez de recursos.
Abstract Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection has in, most cases, a mild course, although acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with higher mortality. Objective: To determine overall mortality in hospitalized or intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted COVID-19 patients. Methods: Inferential analysis from a database of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of Mexico. SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, hospitalized within the January 2020-December 2021 period, were included. General characteristics were described and a binary regression model was created to determine associations with mortality. Results: 116,446 patients who required hospital admission were identified. Overall mortality was 44%; in-hospital mortality, 33%; and ICU mortality, 33%. Mortality of patients with mechanical ventilation and hospital admission was 87%, and with ICU admission, 75%. In the public sector, hospital admissions at the Mexican Institute of Social Security and the Ministry of Health predominated, with OR = 2.24 (p = 0.004) and OR = 2.55 (p = 0.001), respectively, for mortality. Conclusion: Mortality was higher in the public sector, and this could be due to the overcrowding of services, which determined a scarcity of resources.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether and when the correction is done in Systematic Reviews (SRs) and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) when included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) have been retracted. METHODS: In this meta-epidemiological study, we included SRs and CPGs citing the retracted RCTs from the Retraction Watch Database. We investigated how often the retracted RCTs were cited in SRs and CPGs. We also investigated whether and when such SRs and CPGs corrected themselves. RESULTS: We identified 587 articles (525 SRs and 62 CPGs) citing retracted RCTs. Among the 587 articles, 252 (43%) were published after retraction, and 335 (57%) were published before retraction. Among 127 articles published citing already retracted RCTs in their evidence synthesis without caution, none corrected themselves after publication. Of 335 articles published before retraction, 239 included RCTs that were later retracted in their evidence synthesis. Among them, only 5% of SRs (9/196) and 5% of CPGs (2/43) corrected or retracted their results. CONCLUSION: Many SRs and CPGs included already or later retracted RCTs without caution. Most of them were never corrected. The scientific community, including publishers and researchers, should make systematic and concerted efforts to remove the impact of retracted RCTs.
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Background: Even though hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, limited information is available on subsequent demographic trends in the number of cases and management of AMI through the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsâandâResults: We assessed demographic trends, patient characteristics, and AMI outcomes (n=730) during the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them with corresponding months during the control period (February 2016-January 2020; n=2,742) using data from the Mie ACS Registry. Although a 25.8% reduction in hospitalizations for AMI was observed in the 3 months following the declaration of a state of emergency (47.7 vs. 64.3/month; P=0.002), the total number of AMI patients was similar between the 12-month COVID-19 and control periods (60.8 vs. 57.2/month; P=0.58). The number of patients requiring direct ambulance transport was lower in the first half of the COVID-19 than control period (44.4% vs. 51.5; P=0.028). In-hospital mortality was higher in the second half of the COVID-19 than control period (8.9% vs. 5.8%; P=0.032). Conclusions: Through the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of AMI cases was similar to that in previous years. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the behavior of AMI patients and both pre- and in-hospital medical management, which significantly affected the severity and prognosis of AMI.
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Résumé Les études épidémiologiques d’observation à grande échelle fournissent des informations essentielles au développement des politiques de prévention des maladies chroniques comme l’obésité. Depuis 2009, 29 études sur l’obésité ont été publiées à partir des données de la cohorte française NutriNet-Santé. L’objectif de cet article est d’en présenter pour la première fois une synthèse et d’en déduire l’apport de NutriNet-Santé à la compréhension de l’obésité. Parmi ces études, 5 ont investigué les conséquences de l’obésité, 23 ses déterminants, et 1 son rôle médiateur. Parmi les conséquences de l’obésité étudiées, des facteurs comme la migraine ou la dyspepsie fonctionnelle ont été positivement associés à l’obésité. En revanche, parmi les déterminants de l’obésité, de nombreux facteurs liés à l’alimentation ont été positivement associés à l’obésité (ex : proportion d’aliments ultra-transformés au sein des apports) ou inversement associés (ex : alimentation issue de l’agriculture biologique). Aussi, certains facteurs psychologiques ont été positivement associés (ex : impulsivité) ou inversement associés (ex : optimisme) à l’obésité. Dans NutriNet-Santé, de nouvelles études en lien avec l’obésité sont en cours sur des sujets peu traités comme le COVID-19 ou les troubles mentaux. Summary Large-scale observational epidemiological studies provide essential information for the development of prevention policies for chronic diseases such as obesity. Since 2009, the French NutriNet-Santé cohort has been used as the basis for 29 empirical studies on obesity. The aim of this review is to present a summary of the findings of those studies and to deduce the contribution of NutriNet-Santé to the understanding of obesity. Among the 29 studies, 5 analyzed obesity as an exposure variable, 23 – as an outcome, and 1 – as a moderator. When modelled as a determinant (or exposure), obesity was cross-sectionally and positively associated with migraine and functional dyspepsia, respectively. In turn, when modelled as a consequence (or outcome), obesity was positively associated with different dietary factors, such as the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet and preference for fatty food. Other factors were inversely associated with obesity, such as following an organic diet. Some psychological factors were positively (e.g. impulsivity) or inversely associated (e.g. optimism) with obesity risk. In NutriNet-Santé, further studies on obesity are underway, dealing with its association with COVID-19 and mental disorders.
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Background and Objectives: Health care workers (HCWs) are a high-risk group for acquiring and transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aim of the study was the evaluation of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a random sample of HCWs at a large acute care hospital in Iran. Materials and Methods: We collected blood samples of 180 medical staffs from September 22, 2020 to January 26, 2021. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used for evaluation of the presence of IgG antibodies. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, comprising demographics, occupational, the work area, and personal protection data. Results: Of the 180 HCWs who participated in this study, 44 (24.4%) were seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The percentage of IgG positivity was higher in males than females (P<0.05). Also, there was statistically significant difference between presence of the antibodies and the occupation, location, and infecting family members with Covid -1 (P<0.05). Other factors did not associate significantly to antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2 (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to this point that the number of COVID-19 cases is still growing rapidly among HCWs. So, the epidemiological estimate of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major challenge that is needed to prevent the spread of infection in the hospitals.
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BACKGROUND: Young people are most vulnerable to suicidal behaviours but least likely to seek help. A more elaborate study of the intrinsic and extrinsic correlates of suicidal ideation and behaviours particularly amid ongoing population-level stressors and the identification of less stigmatising markers in representative youth populations is essential. METHODS: Participants (n = 2540, aged 15-25) were consecutively recruited from an ongoing large-scale household-based epidemiological youth mental health study in Hong Kong between September 2019 and 2021. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt were assessed, alongside suicide-related rumination, hopelessness and neuroticism, personal and population-level stressors, family functioning, cognitive ability, lifetime non-suicidal self-harm, 12-month major depressive disorder (MDD), and alcohol use. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation, ideation-only (no plan or attempt), plan, and attempt was 20.0, 15.4, 4.6, and 1.3%, respectively. Importantly, multivariable logistic regression findings revealed that suicide-related rumination was the only factor associated with all four suicidal outcomes (all p < 0.01). Among those with suicidal ideation (two-stage approach), intrinsic factors, including suicide-related rumination, poorer cognitive ability, and 12-month MDE, were specifically associated with suicide plan, while extrinsic factors, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stressors, poorer family functioning, and personal life stressors, as well as non-suicidal self-harm, were specifically associated with suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide-related rumination, population-level COVID-19 stressors, and poorer family functioning may be important less-stigmatising markers for youth suicidal risks. The respective roles played by not only intrinsic but also extrinsic factors in suicide plan and attempt using a two-stage approach should be considered in future preventative intervention work.
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Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, a series of preventive and control measures in China have been used to effectively curb the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: MP IgM antibody and CP IgM antibody were detected in all hospitalized children due to acute respiratory tract infection in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University from January 2019 to December 2020. These data were compared between 2019 and 2020 based on age and month. Results: The overall detection rate of MP and CP in 2020 was significantly lower than that in 2019 (MP: 21.5% vs 32.9%, P<0.001; CP: 0.3% vs 0.9%, P<0.001). This study found a 4-fold reduction in the number of children positive for MP and a 7.5-fold reduction in the number of children positive for CP from 2019 to 2020. The positive cases were concentrated in children aged >1 year old. In 2019, the positive rate of MP was detected more commonly in children 3 years of age or older than in younger children. In 2020, the higher positive rate of MP reached a peak in the 3- to 6-year age group (35.3%). CP was detected predominantly in children aged 6 years older in 2019 and 2020, with positive rates of 4.8% and 2.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the positive rates of MP in 2019 were detected more commonly in July, August and September, with 47.2%, 46.7% and 46.3%, respectively. Nevertheless, the positive rates of MP from February to December 2020 apparently decreased compared to those in 2019. The positive rates of CP were evenly distributed throughout the year, with 0.5%-1.6% in 2019 and 0.0%-2.1% in 2020. Conclusions: A series of preventive and control measures for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic can not only contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 but also sharply improve the infection of other atypical pathogens, including MP and CP.
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COVID-19 , Chlamydophila Infections , Chlamydophila pneumoniae , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma , Respiratory Tract Infections , Aged , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Child, Hospitalized , Chlamydophila Infections/epidemiology , Epidemiologic Studies , Humans , Immunoglobulin M , Infant , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Current models for flu-like epidemics insufficiently explain multi-cycle seasonality. Meteorological factors alone, including the associated behavior, do not predict seasonality, given substantial climate differences between countries that are subject to flu-like epidemics or COVID-19. Pollen is documented to be allergenic, it plays a role in immuno-activation and defense against respiratory viruses, and seems to create a bio-aerosol that lowers the reproduction number of flu-like viruses. Therefore, we hypothesize that pollen may explain the seasonality of flu-like epidemics, including COVID-19, in combination with meteorological variables. We have tested the Pollen-Flu Seasonality Theory for 2016-2020 flu-like seasons, including COVID-19, in the Netherlands, with its 17.4 million inhabitants. We combined changes in flu-like incidence per 100 K/Dutch residents (code: ILI) with pollen concentrations and meteorological data. Finally, a predictive model was tested using pollen and meteorological threshold values, inversely correlated to flu-like incidence. We found a highly significant inverse correlation of r(224) = -0.41 (p < 0.001) between pollen and changes in flu-like incidence, corrected for the incubation period. The correlation was stronger after taking into account the incubation time. We found that our predictive model has the highest inverse correlation with changes in flu-like incidence of r(222) = -0.48 (p < 0.001) when average thresholds of 610 total pollen grains/m3, 120 allergenic pollen grains/m3, and a solar radiation of 510 J/cm2 are passed. The passing of at least the pollen thresholds, preludes the beginning and end of flu-like seasons. Solar radiation is a co-inhibitor of flu-like incidence, while temperature makes no difference. However, higher relative humidity increases with flu-like incidence. We conclude that pollen is a predictor of the inverse seasonality of flu-like epidemics, including COVID-19, and that solar radiation is a co-inhibitor, in the Netherlands.
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COVID-19 , Humans , Netherlands/epidemiology , Pollen , SARS-CoV-2 , SeasonsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 900,000 lives worldwide and infected more than 27 million people. Researchers worldwide are studying ways to decrease SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 related deaths. Several studies found altitude having a negative association with both COVID-19 incidence and deaths. Ecuadorian data was used to explore the relationship between altitude and COVID-19. METHODS: This is an ecological study examining province-level data. To explore a relationship between altitude and COVID-19, this study utilized publicly available COVID-19 data and population statistics. ANOVA, correlation statistics, and a multivariate linear model explored the relationship between different Ecuadorian altitudes against incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rates. Population statistics attributed to COVID-19 were included in the linear model to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in the regions of Amazónica, Sierra, Costa of Ecuador for incidence, mortality, and case fatality rates, suggesting an association between altitude and SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 disease severity (p-value ≤0.05). In univariate analysis, altitude had a negative association to mortality rate with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease of 0.006 units in mortality rate (p-value = 0.03). The multiple linear models adjusted for population statistics showed a statistically significant negative association of altitude with mortality rate (p-value = 0.01) with a 1-unit change in altitude resulting in the decrease in mortality rate by 0.015 units. Overall, the model helped in explaining 50% (R2 = 0.4962) of the variance in mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Altitude may have an effect on COVID-19 mortality rates. However, based on our model and R2 value, the relationship between our variables of interest and COVID-19 mortality may be nonlinear. More research is needed to understand why altitude may have a protective effect against COVID-19 mortality and how this may be applicable in a clinical setting.
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Altitude , COVID-19 , Ecuador/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Epidemiology occupies a very important position in preventive medicine. Its essence is to summarize the etiology and epidemic laws by studying the distribution and possible effects of diseases, so as to promote the formation of scientific epidemic prevention measures. The purpose of this article is to help relevant personnel complete the collection, induction, and analysis of epidemiological survey data by establishing a data collection system model to improve work efficiency. This article focuses on the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), investigates the development status of epidemiological survey data collection, and analyzes the problems in the current business process, and on this basis, develops a dedicated epidemiological survey System model for data collection. From the experimental data, the optimized correction evaluation index has been increased from 8.384 to 9.067. It can be seen that the combination of data mining algorithms and backpropagation algorithms can better improve the system's ability to process information. Professional information disclosure platforms can have a good positive impression on the prevention and treatment of epidemics. The Internet-based epidemiological survey customized system model established in this article is to integrate various epidemiological data so that people can correctly understand the spread of epidemics and promote the development of preventive medicine.
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COVID-19 , Epidemics , Humans , Internet , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
We aimed to examine the relationships of lifestyle habits and nutritional status with emotional behavior among schoolchildren in Sri Lanka. Five hundred and eight schoolchildren (195 boys and 313 girls) aged 5-10 years were included. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Nutritional status was used for body mass index-for-age z-score. Breakfast consumption, daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), wake-up time, and bedtime were considered lifestyle habits. The mean total difficulties score ± standard deviation was 12.0 ± 5.3, and the mean prosocial behavior score was 7.4 ± 1.9. In total, 89.2% children ate breakfast, and 41.3% engaged in at least 60 min of MVPA per day. After adjustment for confounding factors, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that breakfast skipping was associated with high scores on conduct problems (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50 to 5.77, p < 0.01) and that late bedtime was related to low prosocial behavior scores (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.17 to 5.03, p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that promoting regular lifestyle habits helps reduce psychological difficulties in schoolchildren. However, further research, including longitudinal studies, are required to identify the mechanism underlying this relationship.
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Breakfast , Nutritional Status , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feeding Behavior , Female , Habits , Humans , Life Style , Male , Sri Lanka , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Estimate IgG antibody prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare personnel (HCP) of a healthcare department (HD). METHOD: Prevalence study. The presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in HCP of the HD. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used. Field work took place from April 24, 2020 to May 8, 2020. The age, sex, occupation (physician, nurse, etc.) and the work area (Primary Care, Emergency Room, etc.) were gathered. The IgG antibody prevalence was then calculated with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). To study the association between HCP characteristics and the presence IgG the Chi Square test was used, and to study the magnitude of association, the Odds Ratio (95% CI) was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 4813 HCP in the HD, 4179 (87,1%) participated. Of these, 73,3% (3065) were women and 26,7% (1114) men. The global prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 6,6% (95% CI: 5,8-7,3). There were statistically significant differences depending on the occupation, from 8,7% (95% CI: 6,9-10,6) on medics down to 3,2% (95% CI: 1,0-8,0) on personnel not associated with health care. The other characteristics did not associate significantly to antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 infection frequency in HCP is similar to the estimated in the general population for big cities in Spain. This highlights the effectiveness of the infection control and prevention programme in this healthcare department targeted at healthcare personnel.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Cross-Sectional Studies , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Health Personnel , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Estimate IgG antibody prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare personnel (HCP) of a healthcare department (HD). METHOD: Prevalence study. The presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in HCP of the HD. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used. Field work took place from April 24, 2020 to May 8, 2020. The age, sex, occupation (physician, nurse, etc.) and the work area (Primary Care, Emergency Room, etc.) were gathered. The IgG antibody prevalence was then calculated with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). To study the association between HCP characteristics and the presence IgG the Chi Square test was used, and to study the magnitude of association, the Odds Ratio (95% CI) was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 4813 HCP in the HD, 4179 (87,1%) participated. Of these, 73,3% (3065) were women and 26,7% (1114) men. The global prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 6,6% (95% CI: 5,8-7,3). There were statistically significant differences depending on the occupation, from 8,7% (95% CI: 6,9-10,6) on medics down to 3,2% (95% CI: 1,0-8,0) on personnel not associated with health care. The other characteristics did not associate significantly to antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 infection frequency in HCP is similar to the estimated in the general population for big cities in Spain. This highlights the effectiveness of the infection control and prevention programme in this healthcare department targeted at healthcare personnel.
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COVID-19 is caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). COVID-19 clinical cases are considered as the principal source of infection, however, asymptomatic cases may also play a role in the transmission. Significant gap exists in terms of the proportion or prevalence and transmissibility of asymptomatic cases. This study design plans to use data from areas with different epidemiological profiles to investigate the COVID-19 epidemic in China. In each selected region, both general community residents and key populations at high risk of COVID-19 infection, including recovered COVID-19 cases, close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, medical professionals, investigators at CDCs, and visitors to fever clinics, will be recruited and examined for viral RNA of 2019-nCoV and serum antibodies. Prevalence and characterization of asymptomatic cases will be determined, stratified by varied demographics and exposure risk. During the follow-up, the change in the serum antibodies will be studied prospectively in the symptomatic and asymptomatic cases to address the scientific and public health concerns of infectivity and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Asymptomatic Infections/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , China , Epidemiologic Studies , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused due to Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this outbreak a global health emergency and as on April 24, 2020, it has spread to 213 countries, with 25,91,015 confirmed cases and 742,855 cases have been recovered from COVID-19. In this dreadful situation our team has already published an article in the Science of the Total Environment, which elaborates the various aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this situation, it is imperative to understand the possible outcome of COVID-19 recovered patients and determine if they have any other detrimental illnesses by longitudinal analysis to safeguard their life in future. It is necessary to follow-up these recovered patients and performs comprehensive assessments for detection and appropriate management towards their psychological, physical, and social realm. This urges us to suggest that it is highly important to provide counselling, moral support as well as a few recommended guidelines to the recovered patients and society to restore to normalcy. Epidemiological, clinical and immunological studies from COVID-19 recovered patients are particularly important to understand the disease and to prepare better for potential outbreaks in the future. Longitudinal studies on a larger cohort would help us to understand the in-depth prognosis as well as the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Also, follow-up studies will help us provide more information for the development of vaccines and drugs for these kinds of pandemics in the future. Hence, we recommend more studies are required to unravel the possible mechanism of COVID-19 infection and the after-effects of it to understand the characteristics of the virus and to develop the necessary precautionary measures to prevent it.