ABSTRACT
Background Respiratory virus infection is an important trigger of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（AECOPD）. China has adopted a series of containment measures assisting to curb COVID-19 transmission since the outbreak of the pandemic. Several studies showed a decrease in hospitalizations for AECOPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. However，there has been a relative lack of studies investigating the effects of preventive measures on the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Objective To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of AECOPD with or without medical attention. Methods The subjects were from a prospective COPD cohort study conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University，which began recruiting patients in early 2016，with visits every 3 months to collect demographic and clinical data，including those who were followed up during June to August 2017（group 1），June to August 2018（group 2），June to August 2019 （group 3），and June to August 2020（group 4）. Basic clinical data （including the frequency of AECOPD，sex，age，symptom score and so on） were collected from group 1 from October 2016 to May 2017，group 2 from October 2017 to May 2018，group 3 from October 2018 to May 2019，and group 4 from October 2019 to May 2020（during which the periods from October 2019 to January 2020，and from February to May 2020 were defined as preCOVID-19 period，and post-COVID-19 period，respectively）. The frequency of AECOPD during October to May next year in group 4 was compared with that of the other three groups. The changes in the frequency of AECOPD between pre- and postCOVID-19 periods were analyzed. Results There were 162 patients in group 1，157 in group 2，167 in group 3，and 159 in group 4. Group 1 had a higher frequency of AECOPD in February to May than in October to January next year（P=0.013），so did group 2（P=0.016）. In contrast，group 4 had a higher frequency of AECOPD in October to January next year than in February to May（P=0.001）. The frequency of AECOPD during October to December in group 4 was similar to that of the other three groups（P>0.05）. But the frequency of AECOPD from February to April in group 4 was lower than that in groups 1-3 （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the monthly frequency of AECOPD without medical attention in group 4 compared with that of groups 1-3（P>0.05）. The frequency of AECOPD with medical attention from October to December in group 4 was similar to that of groups 1-3（P>0.05）. but it from February to April in group 4 was lower than that in groups 1-3（P<0.05）. Conclusion Prevention and control measures targeting COVID-19 may be contributive to reducing the frequency of AECOPD. It is suggested that COPD patients should reduce gathering activities，maintain social distance，wear masks when going out，and wash hands frequently even after the COVID-19. © 2023 Chinese General Practice. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background Respiratory virus infection is an important trigger of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（AECOPD）. China has adopted a series of containment measures assisting to curb COVID-19 transmission since the outbreak of the pandemic. Several studies showed a decrease in hospitalizations for AECOPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. However，there has been a relative lack of studies investigating the effects of preventive measures on the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Objective To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of AECOPD with or without medical attention. Methods The subjects were from a prospective COPD cohort study conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University，which began recruiting patients in early 2016，with visits every 3 months to collect demographic and clinical data，including those who were followed up during June to August 2017（group 1），June to August 2018（group 2），June to August 2019 （group 3），and June to August 2020（group 4）. Basic clinical data （including the frequency of AECOPD，sex，age，symptom score and so on） were collected from group 1 from October 2016 to May 2017，group 2 from October 2017 to May 2018，group 3 from October 2018 to May 2019，and group 4 from October 2019 to May 2020（during which the periods from October 2019 to January 2020，and from February to May 2020 were defined as preCOVID-19 period，and post-COVID-19 period，respectively）. The frequency of AECOPD during October to May next year in group 4 was compared with that of the other three groups. The changes in the frequency of AECOPD between pre- and postCOVID-19 periods were analyzed. Results There were 162 patients in group 1，157 in group 2，167 in group 3，and 159 in group 4. Group 1 had a higher frequency of AECOPD in February to May than in October to January next year（P=0.013），so did group 2（P=0.016）. In contrast，group 4 had a higher frequency of AECOPD in October to January next year than in February to May（P=0.001）. The frequency of AECOPD during October to December in group 4 was similar to that of the other three groups（P>0.05）. But the frequency of AECOPD from February to April in group 4 was lower than that in groups 1-3 （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the monthly frequency of AECOPD without medical attention in group 4 compared with that of groups 1-3（P>0.05）. The frequency of AECOPD with medical attention from October to December in group 4 was similar to that of groups 1-3（P>0.05）. but it from February to April in group 4 was lower than that in groups 1-3（P<0.05）. Conclusion Prevention and control measures targeting COVID-19 may be contributive to reducing the frequency of AECOPD. It is suggested that COPD patients should reduce gathering activities，maintain social distance，wear masks when going out，and wash hands frequently even after the COVID-19. © 2023 Chinese General Practice. All rights reserved.
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The article mentions the anniversary of the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community program to address malnutrition in the United Kingdom (UK) that was launched 10 years ago as of September 2022.
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Post-COVID-19 condition is characterized by a myriad of persistent symptoms experienced up to 60 days after the acute infection, not only in those hospitalized, but also in patients with mild to moderate acute symptoms. The overwhelming evidence on multisystem involvement in post-COVID-19 condition brings to attention the need for integrated delivery models to address health care needs of this population. The World Health Organization recently highlighted critical gaps in adequately providing the level of integrative care required to address the multisystem needs of this population in current health care delivery models and recommended development of new innovative models of delivery. This article presents a novel approach to addressing these gaps from a rehabilitation perspective.
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Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services;and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région
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BACKGROUND: Management of patients with respiratory disorders, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), became challenging during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic due to infection prevention measures. To maintain care, a remote monitoring program was initiated, comprising a smartphone app and a Bluetooth spirometry device. OBJECTIVE: To assess patient- and physician-related experience with remote monitoring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Structured questionnaires were developed to rate experiences from the patient or physician perspective on six-level Likert scales. Interactions between patients and physicians via the digital platform and overall utilization was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 745 patients with asthma, COPD, post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other respiratory diseases were enrolled from 31 centers in Germany. Mean follow-up was 49.4⯱ 12.6 weeks. Each participant submitted on average 289 measurements. Patient-reported experience with the remote monitoring program was positive, with the highest satisfaction reported for "Experience with home measurement" (1.4⯱ 0.5; 99% positive), followed by "Communication/interaction" (1.8⯱ 0.9; 83% positive) and "Overall satisfaction with program" (1.8⯱ 0.8; 87% positive). In all, 70% reported subjective quality of life improvements related to participation in the program. Physician satisfaction with the program was also high with a mean rating of 2.2⯱ 1.2. DISCUSSION: App-based remote monitoring was successfully implemented in routine care during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and demonstrated potential for improvements in care. Patient-relevant experience was positive in all dimensions and remote monitoring was well accepted. Physicians who participated in the program also expressed positive experiences, as demonstrated by a high level of interaction with the platform and positive evaluations of effects from the program.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lung Diseases , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Quality of Life , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was of clustering onset in China and challenging the Chinese healthcare system. Epidemiological data showed that older patients with chronic diseases were at high risk of the involvement of the severe and critical type of COVID-19, especially patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in high mortalities. There were nearly 100 million COPD patients in China, and most of them were elderly. Once infected with COVID-19, it would be life-threatening for the COPD patients. Therefore, during the epidemic, it was of vital significance for us to attach great importance to optimize the management of COPD patients. Based on these considerations, the COPD Group of the Chinese Thoracic Society (CTS) and the COPD working Committee of the Chinese Association of Chest Physicians (CACP) altogether drafted the instruction for medical management and prevention of COPD during the COVID-19 epidemic period for the healthcare practitioner and patients.