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1.
BMC Public Health ; 23(1): 762, 2023 04 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2293543

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We aim to identify factors that explain emotional distress among underserved populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Starting in August 2020, we conducted an online epidemiological survey among 947 U.S. adults. The survey asked a wide array of constructs, including demographics, past-month substance use, and psychological distress. We developed a path model to understand how financial strain, age, and substance use are associated with emotional distress among People of Color (POC) and those living in rural areas. RESULTS: 22.6% (n = 214) of participants were POC; 114 (12%) resided in rural areas; 17.2% (n = 163) made between $50,000 and $74,999 annually; and the emotional distress average was 1.41 (SD = 0.78). POC, especially those younger, experienced higher rates of emotional distress (p < .05). People living in rural contexts reported lower rates of emotional distress through low alcohol intoxication and less financial strain (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We found mediating factors related to emotional distress among vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger POC experienced higher rates of emotional distress. People in rural communities had less emotional distress when they had fewer days spent intoxicated by alcohol, which was associated with lower financial strain. We conclude with a discussion of important unmet needs and future research directions.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Psychological Distress , Adult , Humans , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , Emotions
2.
Int J Drug Policy ; 112: 103936, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2278703

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The increase in alcohol consumption among young women has been the most striking change in drinking culture in Spain in recent years. This study sets out to examine how images and stories about alcohol consumption are presented on Instagram, the strategies for constructing them, and the impact of social norms, including gender norms, on the strategies of making alcohol consumption visible. METHODS: We have carried out a digital ethnography study in which different research techniques have been applied. We held 13 discussion groups, conducted a three-month period of observation on Instagram, and 38 in-depth interviews of young Spanish men and women between the ages of 15 and 24 (N = 118). RESULTS: The representation of alcohol consumption on Instagram by young people shows fashionable party spaces for shared disinhibition, fun and youth gatherings. This social network permits different types of alcohol advertising and promotion of the image associated with its consumption, and is thus a space that brands and influencers exploit. Young people avoid the diffusion on Instagram of images related to their heavy use of alcohol through particular strategies. They untag, delete or avoid using their smartphone; and they choose the audience to whom images are directed, and the areas of publication. The desire to be posting and exhibiting constantly converges with embarrassment and precaution with (un)known audiences. Gender is a key element for understanding the differences in the way in which posts on Instagram related to drinking and drunkenness affect young people. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that Instagram fosters the spreading of an ideal model of "alcohol consumption" online that tends to conceal the adverse effects of the substance, and that the online diffusion of behaviour concerning drinking is not gender-neutral.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , Social Media , Male , Adolescent , Humans , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Gender Identity , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Anthropology, Cultural
3.
Lancet Child Adolesc Health ; 7(5): 347-357, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2284073

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Poor mental health in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic has been well documented in adolescents; however, less is known about the longer-term effect of the pandemic. We aimed to examine adolescent mental health and substance use as well as covariates associated with these outcomes 1 year or more into the pandemic. METHODS: A nationwide sample of adolescents aged 13-18 years enrolled in school in Iceland were invited to complete surveys administered during October-November or February-March, 2018, October-November, 2020, February-March or October-November, 2021, and February-March 2022. The survey was in Icelandic for all administrations and offered to adolescents aged 13-15 years in English in 2020 and 2022 and in Polish in 2022. Surveys assessed depressive symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90); mental wellbeing (Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale); and the frequency of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and alcohol intoxication. Covariates comprised age, gender, and migration status as determined by language spoken at home, level of social restrictions based on residency, parental social support, and sleep duration (≥8 h nightly). Weighted mixed-effect models were used to determine the effect of time and the covariates on mental health and substance use. The main outcomes were assessed in all participants with more than 80% of the necessary data, and multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Bonferroni corrections were used to adjust for multiple testing and analyses were considered significant at a p value of <0·0017. FINDINGS: 64 071 responses were submitted and analysed between 2018 and 2022. Elevated depressive symptoms and worsened mental wellbeing across girls and boys aged 13-18 years were observed to have been maintained up to 2 years into the pandemic (p>0·0017). Alcohol intoxication initially decreased during the pandemic but increased again as social restrictions eased (p<0·0001). No changes were observed in cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher levels of parental social support and an average sleep duration of 8 h or more per night were associated with mental health better outcomes and less substance use (p<0·0001). Social restrictions and migration background were inconsistently associated with the outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Population-level prevention targeting adolescent depressive symptoms should be prioritised in health policy in the wake of COVID-19. FUNDING: Icelandic Research Fund.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Male , Female , Adolescent , Humans , Mental Health , Iceland/epidemiology , Pandemics , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19/epidemiology
4.
Nat Rev Drug Discov ; 22(2): 91, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2227821
5.
researchsquare; 2022.
Preprint in English | PREPRINT-RESEARCHSQUARE | ID: ppzbmed-10.21203.rs.3.rs-2318231.v1

ABSTRACT

Suppurative diseases of the lungs are topical issues of pulmonology that require detailed study due to the difficulties of diagnosis and high mortality of patients. This is due to several objective and subjective reasons such as the widespread use of antibioticresistant microflora, which is especially important when antibiotics are prescribed unreasonably, even with a mild form of COVID − 19. This, of course, affects COVID patients, who already have reduced immunity. The question of the exact mechanism of development of purulent complications of the lungs after or during infection with COVID − 19 remains open. Clinical and radiological signs of a lung abscess often resemble the symptoms of pneumonia; however, antibacterial, and symptomatic therapy have differences. With gangrene of the lung, the increase in intoxication syndrome can be gradual, which reduces the doctor's alertness regarding the most severe disease and causes inadequate therapy. Comprehensive diagnostic measures, knowledge of the main clinical, instrumental and laboratory parameters are necessary for all physicians.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , Pneumonia , Meningitis, Pneumococcal , Gangrene
6.
Br J Hosp Med (Lond) ; 83(10): 1-3, 2022 Oct 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2100431

ABSTRACT

In the UK, harm caused by alcohol has worsened since 2020. A recent report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies projecting future rates of major alcohol-related diseases highlights what this means for health and healthcare. The authors argue that this additional burden is not inevitable if effective policies are introduced.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Ethanol
7.
researchsquare; 2022.
Preprint in English | PREPRINT-RESEARCHSQUARE | ID: ppzbmed-10.21203.rs.3.rs-2302489.v1

ABSTRACT

Background Hyperuricemia, pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, and alkaline intoxication syndrome (HUPRA syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease with prevalence of less than one in a million. Due to mutations in the mitochondrial SARS enzyme encoding seryl-tRNA synthetase on chromosome 19 (19q13.2). Case–Diagnosis/Treatment We investigated two Palestinian girls from the same village presented with progressive renal failure in infancy were diagnosed with this multisystemic disease. presented with atypical clinical manifestations of HUPRA syndrome include leukopenia, anemia, salt wasting resulting in hyponatremia and hypochloremia, renal failure with elevated blood lactate, marked hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia but  without  pulmonary hypertension or alkaline intoxication that distinguish them from the rest of the usual cases, instead they showed acidosis in routine follow up. By using single exome sequencing analysis, we identified a two homozygous pathogenic mutation c.1175A>G (p.D392G), c.1169A>G (D390G) in SARS2 gene. This sequence identified a new variant mutation of HUPRA syndrome c.1175A>G (p.D392G) with atypical presentation, that will be added to the literature. Conclusion SARS2 gene with pathogenic homozygous mutation variants were detected in our two patients c.1175A>G (p.D392G), c.1169A>G (D390G) in exon 13, with atypical clinical manifestations of HUPRA syndrome, expanding the spectrum of SARS2 pathogenic variants with its characteristic findings, describing the differences in clinical manifestations between homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations.


Subject(s)
Mitochondrial Diseases , Alcoholic Intoxication , Hypertension, Pulmonary , Leukopenia , Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary , Renal Insufficiency , Hypercholesterolemia , Hyperuricemia , Acidosis , Anemia , Hyponatremia , Hypertriglyceridemia , Disease
8.
Med J (Ft Sam Houst Tex) ; (Per 22-07/08/09): 23-27, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1989447

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic many bars closed. Simultaneously, many persons experienced stay at home orders linked to an increase in alcohol use. The net impact of these restrictions on the incidence of driving while intoxicated (DWI) events is unclear. METHODS AND MATERIAL: We conducted a retrospective observational analysis using publicly reported data regarding police traffic encounters. We analyzed changes in DWI encounters in the San Antonio, TX metropolitan area before (1-14 October 2020) versus after (15-28 October 2020) bars reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic. We made these comparisons by comparing medians and through regression modelling to control for potential confounders. RESULTS: During the study period, 16,609 police traffic encounters met inclusion criteria. Of these, 353 were DWI encounters, 594 were officer traffic stop encounters, 14,565 were traffic related encounters, 113 were wrong way driver encounters, and 984 were other traffic violations. In the before and after analysis, there was no difference in the daily median numbers of DWI encounters (12 versus 10, p=0.461), wrong way driver incidents (3 versus 2, p=0.328), or other traffic violations (34 versus 35, p=0.854). The multivariable regression model similarly identified no change in the daily incidence of DWI encounters (p=0.281). CONCLUSIONS: We detected no change in the incidence of DWI encounters immediately following the reopening of bars in the San Antonio metropolitan area.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Driving Under the Influence , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Pandemics , Restaurants , Retrospective Studies
9.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 10574, 2022 06 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1900666

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 outbreak affected mental health globally. One of the major concerns following the COVID-19 pandemic was increased incidence of risky behaviors including alcohol consumption. This study evaluates the trend of alcohol poisoning in Loghman-Hakim Hospital (LHH), the main referral center of poisoning in Tehran, during the 2-year period from 1 year prior to 1 year after the onset (February 23rd, 2020) of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran. All patients admitted with alcohol intoxication from February 23rd, 2019 to February 22nd, 2021 were evaluated and patient data extracted from LHH electronic hospital records. Alcohols were categorized as toxic (methyl alcohol) and non-toxic (ethyl alcohol). Of 2483 patients admitted, 796/14,493 (5.49%) and 1687/13,883 (12.15%) had been hospitalized before and after the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran, respectively. In total, 140 patients did not survive, of whom 131 (93.6%) were confirmed to have methanol intoxication. Mortality was significantly higher during the outbreak (127 vs 13; P < 0.001; OR: 4.90; CI 95%: 2.75 to 8.73). Among the patients, 503 were younger than age 20. Trend of alcohol intoxication showed increases in children (57 vs 17) and adolescents (246 vs 183) when compared before and after the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak. A total of 955 patients were diagnosed with methanol toxicity which occurred more frequently during the COVID-19 era (877 vs 78; P < 0.001; OR: 10.00; CI 95%: 7.75 to12.82). Interrupted time series analysis (April 2016-February 2021) showed that in the first month of the COVID-19 epidemic (March 2020), there was a significant increase in the alcohol intoxication rate by 13.76% (P < 0.02, CI = [2.42-24.91]). The trend of alcohol intoxication as well as resulting mortality increased in all age groups during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran, indicating urgent need for the prevention of high-risk alcohol use as well as improved treatment.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Adolescent , Adult , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Hospitals , Humans , Interrupted Time Series Analysis , Iran/epidemiology , Methanol , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Young Adult
10.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res ; 46(7): 1306-1312, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1846159

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: When evaluating an emergency department (ED) patient who presents with suicidal ideation, it is a common practice to wait until the patient's ethanol level is known or calculated to be less than 80 mg/dl to evaluate patient safety. We know of no study that establishes an association between the degree of alcohol intoxication based on a blood alcohol level (BAL) and reported suicidal ideation (SI) upon recovery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients evaluated in a Midwestern ED for the calendar year 2017. Cases were selected if they had a psychiatric social work consult and a blood alcohol level drawn while in the ED. Patients were selected on the same 2 days each week throughout the year to meet the sample size requirements of the study, resulting in 1084 cases for review. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between suicidal ideation and alcohol intoxication as defined by a BAL ≥80 mg/dl. RESULTS: Among patients presenting with suicidal ideation and a concurrent BAL ≥80 mg/dl, 69% no longer reported suicidal ideation when their BAL was <80 mg/dl, compared to 38% for patients without a positive BAL on presentation (chi-square, p = 0.000012). CONCLUSION: Our data show that patients presenting to the ED with complaints related to suicidal behavior who have a BAL ≥80 mg/dl are more likely to no longer endorse having suicidal ideation once their BAL is < 80 mg/dl than patients with similar presenting complaints and no alcohol intoxication. This finding supports the common ED practice of re-assessing suicidal ideation among individuals who are initially intoxicated once their BAL has decreased below 80 mg/dl.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , Alcoholism , Alcoholic Intoxication/diagnosis , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Alcoholic Intoxication/psychology , Blood Alcohol Content , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Suicidal Ideation
11.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(7)2022 04 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1776225

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare alcohol consumption between the heaviest drinking occasion in the period before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown (15 January-14 March 2020) and the first COVID-19 lockdown period (15 March-11 May 2020) in the Netherlands, including the presence and severity of associated hangovers. The analysis included a sub-sample from the "Corona Lockdown: how fit are you?" (CLOFIT) study, comprising N = 761 participants who reported consuming alcohol in 2020. Overall, on the heaviest drinking occasion during the first COVID-19 lockdown period a significant reduction in number of alcoholic drinks consumed on the heaviest drinking occasion, drinking duration, and estimated BAC was observed. A significant reduction was also observed for subjective intoxication and next-day hangover severity. During the lockdown period, a significant reduction in the frequency of alcohol hangovers was reported. Several age and sex differences were observed. Specifically, men consumed significantly more alcohol than women and experienced hangovers significantly more frequently, both before and during the lockdown. With regard to age, young adults (18-35 years old) significantly reduced their alcohol intake on the heaviest drinking occasion during the lockdown and also reported lower ratings of subjective intoxication and hangover severity. No significant changes were seen for individuals above 35 years old. In conclusion, the first COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands was associated with reduced alcohol intake on the heaviest drinking occasion and a reduction in the severity of hangovers, particularly among young male adults.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Adolescent , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Communicable Disease Control , Ethanol , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult
12.
BMC Pediatr ; 22(1): 53, 2022 01 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1643121

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: After the outbreak of COVID-19, many families equip with 75% ethanol to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2, which increases the risk of exposure to ethanol. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a 25-day-old newborn who was diagnosed with neonatal acute ethanol intoxication with a presenting complaint of accidental consumption about 15 ml formula milk containing 75% ethanol. His main clinical manifestations were irritability, flushed skin, tachycardia, tachypnea, and toxicology analysis detected ethanol. After timely gastric lavage and intravenous fluid replacement, he was cured and discharged. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 epidemic, high concentration ethanol used for inactivating SARS-COV-2 should be placed reasonably and neonatal feeding safety should be emphasized. Timely diagnosis and symptomatic treatment are essential for the prevention and management of acute ethanol intoxication in newborns.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Epidemics , Alcoholic Intoxication/diagnosis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , SARS-CoV-2
13.
Geneva; World Health Organization; 2021.
in English | WHOIRIS | ID: gwh-348060
14.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res ; 45(9): 1853-1863, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1470371

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of COVID-19, many Iranians were poisoned by ingesting hand sanitizers and/or alcoholic beverages to avoid viral infection. To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increased prevalence of accidental hand sanitizer/alcoholic beverage exposure in children and adolescents, we compared pediatric hospitalization rates during COVID-19 and the previous year. For poisoning admissions during COVID-19, we also evaluated the cause by age and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective data linkage study evaluated data from the Legal Medicine Organization (reporting mortalities) and hospitalization data from nine toxicology referral centers for alcohol-poisoned patients (age 0 to 18 years) for the study period (February 23 to June 22, 2020) and the pre-COVID-19 reference period (same dates in 2019). RESULTS: Hospitalization rates due to ethanol and methanol exposure were significantly higher in 2020 (n = 375) than 2019 (n = 202; OR [95% CI] 1.9 [1.6, 2.2], p < 0.001). During COVID-19, in patients ≤15 years, the odds of intoxication from hand sanitizers were significantly higher than from alcoholic beverages, while in 15- to 18-year-olds, alcoholic beverage exposure was 6.7 times more common (95% CI 2.8, 16.1, p < 0.001). Of 375 children/adolescents hospitalized for alcoholic beverage and hand sanitizer exposure in 2020, six did not survive. The odds of fatal outcome were seven times higher in 15- to 18-year-olds (OR (95% CI) 7.0 (2.4, 20.1); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Iranian methanol poisoning outbreak during the first wave of COVID-19 was associated with significantly increased hospitalization rates among children and adolescents-including at least six pediatric in-hospital deaths from poisoning. Public awareness needs to be raised of the risks associated with ingesting alcoholic hand sanitizers.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Beverages/poisoning , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Hand Sanitizers/poisoning , Information Storage and Retrieval/methods , Methanol/poisoning , Adolescent , Alcoholic Intoxication/diagnosis , COVID-19/prevention & control , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospitalization/trends , Humans , Infant , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Retrospective Studies
15.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 18(19)2021 10 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1463667

ABSTRACT

Evidence suggests that changes in alcohol consumption during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic were unevenly distributed over consumer groups. We investigated possible inter-country differences in how changes in alcohol consumption are contingent on initial consumption (before or at the start of the pandemic), and how changes in consumption translate into possible changes in the prevalence of heavy drinking. We used data from the European Survey on Alcohol use and COVID-19 (ESAC) conducted in Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and the UK (N = 31921). Past-year alcohol consumption and changes in consumption were measured by AUDIT-C. Drinking habits were compared according to percentiles of pre-pandemic consumption levels, below versus above the 90th percentile. Across countries, drinkers in the highest 10% for pre-pandemic consumption increased their drinking during the pandemic, whereas absolute changes among those initially drinking below this level were modest. The percentage of people reporting >28 alcohol units/week increased significantly in seven of eight countries. During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption in the upper decile of the drinkers increased as did the prevalence of heavy drinkers, in contrast with a declining consumption in other groups in the sample.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
16.
Environ Health Prev Med ; 26(1): 98, 2021 Sep 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1448181

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in people's drinking habits and the emergency management system for various diseases. However, no studies have investigated the pandemic's impact on emergency transportation for acute alcoholic intoxication. This study examines the effect of the pandemic on emergency transportation due to acute alcoholic intoxication in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, a region with high alcohol consumption. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data of 180,747 patients from the Kochi-Iryo-Net database, Kochi Prefecture's emergency medical and wide-area disaster information system. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The association between emergency transportation and alcoholic intoxication was examined. The differences between the number of transportations during the voluntary isolation period in Japan (March and April 2020) and the same period for 2016-2019 were measured. RESULTS: In 2020, emergency transportations due to acute alcoholic intoxication declined by 0.2%, compared with previous years. Emergency transportation due to acute alcoholic intoxication decreased significantly between March and April 2020, compared with the same period in 2016-2019, even after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio 0.67; 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number of emergency transportations; in particular, those due to acute alcoholic intoxication decreased significantly.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Ambulances , Emergency Medical Dispatch/statistics & numerical data , Transportation of Patients/statistics & numerical data , COVID-19/epidemiology , Databases, Factual , Emergency Medical Dispatch/trends , Female , Humans , Japan/epidemiology , Male , Retrospective Studies , Transportation of Patients/trends
17.
Drug Alcohol Depend ; 228: 109062, 2021 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1439974

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions may have influenced alcohol use and promoted addictive behavior. We aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) in France. METHODS: We identified all hospital stays related to alcohol abuse in 2018-2020. Differences in number of hospitalizations between 2019 and 2020 were tested using Poisson regressions. Differences between observed and expected deliveries of drugs used in alcohol dependence in 2020 were also studied. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the number of hospitalizations for AAI between 2019 and 2020 (-9677[-11·4%],RR:0·89[0·88-0·89]). This decrease was observed among men and women of all age groups, except women ≥ 85 years. We observed an increase in in-hospital mortality during 2020 and more hospitalizations for AAI with certain medical complications, especially during the first 2020 lockdown. There was a drop in observed deliveries of drugs used in alcohol dependence during the first 2020 lockdown. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the number of hospitalizations for AAI in 2020 could be explained by several factors: fewer available hospital beds due to COVID-19, individuals with AAI delaying or avoiding medical care due to COVID-19 fears, and decreases driven by younger age groups returning to live with parents and socializing less. While alcohol consumption patterns have changed with the implementation of social distancing measures and lockdowns, the increase in mortality and the share of hospitalizations with complications suggest that these measures had an impact on event severity in a context of strained access to healthcare.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , Alcoholism , COVID-19 , Aged, 80 and over , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Communicable Disease Control , Female , Humans , Male , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
18.
J Adolesc Health ; 69(6): 905-909, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1401560

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The association between acute alcohol intoxication among adolescents and the COVID-19 lockdown has been studied previously in Trieste, Italy. They recommended that emergency services should be prepared for a potential peak of alcohol intoxication-related emergencies among adolescents as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of acute alcohol intoxication among adolescents in the Netherlands. METHODS: To determine both the prevalence and characteristics of adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication in 2019-2020, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. All adolescents <18 years of age admitted for acute alcohol intoxication in the 12 participating hospitals in the Netherlands in 2019-2020 were included. Adolescents were divided in periods before, during, and subsequent to the first COVID-19 lockdown and the beginning of the second lockdown, in comparison with the same periods in 2019. RESULTS: The prevalence of acute alcohol intoxication among adolescents decreased by 70% during the first lockdown (March 16-May 31, 2020) compared with the period before lockdown (January 1-March 15, 2020). Between the first lockdown phase and the reopening period (June 1-October 14, 2020), the prevalence significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that COVID-19 lockdown led to a decrease in acute alcohol intoxication among adolescents. This decrease is multifactorial, including the closure of bars/restaurants, sport clubs, schools and increased parental supervision due to obligatory working from home of parents. Based on the findings, this specific population requires close monitoring, especially in the reopening phases.


Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication , COVID-19 , Adolescent , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Communicable Disease Control , Humans , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2
19.
PLoS One ; 16(8): e0255594, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1344156

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of evidence-based care for heavy drinking and depression remains low in global health systems. We tested the impact of providing community support, training, and clinical packages of varied intensity on depression screening and management for heavy drinking patients in Latin American primary healthcare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quasi-experimental study involving 58 primary healthcare units in Colombia, Mexico and Peru randomized to receive: (1) usual care (control); (2) training using a brief clinical package; (3) community support plus training using a brief clinical package; (4) community support plus training using a standard clinical package. Outcomes were proportion of: (1) heavy drinking patients screened for depression; (2) screen-positive patients receiving appropriate support; (3) all consulting patients screened for depression, irrespective of drinking status. RESULTS: 550/615 identified heavy drinkers were screened for depression (89.4%). 147/230 patients screening positive for depression received appropriate support (64%). Amongst identified heavy drinkers, adjusting for country, sex, age and provider profession, provision of community support and training had no impact on depression activity rates. Intensity of clinical package also did not affect delivery rates, with comparable performance for brief and standard versions. However, amongst all consulting patients, training providers resulted in significantly higher rates of alcohol measurement and in turn higher depression screening rates; 2.7 times higher compared to those not trained. CONCLUSIONS: Training using a brief clinical package increased depression screening rates in Latin American primary healthcare. It is not possible to determine the effectiveness of community support on depression activity rates due to the impact of COVID-19.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/psychology , Alcoholics/psychology , Depression/therapy , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcohol Drinking/prevention & control , Alcoholic Intoxication/psychology , Alcoholism/diagnosis , Colombia/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Delivery of Health Care , Depression/psychology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Depressive Disorder/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/methods , Mexico/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Peru/epidemiology , Primary Health Care/methods , Primary Health Care/trends , Referral and Consultation , Substance Abuse Detection/methods
20.
Am J Emerg Med ; 48: 238-242, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1227964

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: During the deconfinement period after the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number and characteristics of psychiatric visits changed in our emergency department (ED). We aimed to assess changes in the number of visits and characterize the profiles of these patients. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we examined the number of psychiatric ED visits and their proportion among the total number of ED visits. We also evaluated psychiatric visits characteristics during a one-month period after the declaration of deconfinement, and we compared those characteristics to characteristics observed during the same month over the previous 4 years. RESULTS: The number of psychiatric visits to our emergency department during deconfinement was similar to the number observed in the same month of previous years. However, the proportion of psychiatric visits to our emergency department among all visits to the ED rose during deconfinement to a level never before observed. The mean proportion of psychiatric admissions to all ED admissions rose from 3.5% in past years to 5.3% during deconfinement (p = 0.013). Moreover, during deconfinement, more visits (80%) were without an acute intoxication compared to past years (58.5%; p = 0.031). Also, in the deconfinement period, more visits lacked a follow-up consultation organized at discharge (40%) compared to the historical period (25%, p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The deconfinement period after the first wave COVID-19 changed the number and type of psychiatric emergency medicine consultations at our hospital, suggesting a psychiatric impact of confinement during this pandemic. These findings will be of interest to practitioners and politicians in the coming months.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control , Depression/epidemiology , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Public Policy , Suicide, Attempted/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aftercare , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Belgium/epidemiology , Emergencies , Female , Humans , Male , Personality Disorders/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology
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