Impact of physical activity on self-reported health parameters in peripheral artery disease in two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Prolonged social isolation intended to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), may potentially affect the physical activity level and health of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Objectives To analyze the impact of physical activity practice on longitudinal changes in self-reported health parameters during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with PAD. Design Longitudinal study. Setting The database of studies developed by our group involving patients with PAD from public hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods In this longitudinal study, 99 patients with PAD were evaluated in two periods during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., May to August 2020 and May to August 2021). Patients were interviewed by telephone, and information was obtained regarding physical activity practice and self-reported health (i.e., current global, physical, and mental health). Patients were divided into two groups: the physically inactive group (patients who were or became physically inactive, n=76, 51.3% male, 67±10 years old, 8±7 years of disease duration) and the physically active group (patients who started or continued practicing physical activity, n=23, 65.2% male, 71±8years old, 7±6 years of disease). Results The physically inactive group more frequently self-reported their current health as poor (6.6 vs. 17.1%, P=0.045) and were more frequently hospitalized for reasons other than COVID-19 (6.6 vs. 27.6%, P=0.001) between the two periods evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The physically active group self-reported lower declines in walking capacity (43.5 vs. 13.0%, P=0.022) between the two periods evaluated. We did not observe any differences in other parameters in either group between the two periods evaluated (p>0.05). Conclusions The practice of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic can help maintain or mitigate the negative impacts on self-reported global and physical health parameters in patients with PAD.

Rivaroxaban with Aspirin Versus Aspirin for Peripheral Arterial Disease and Intermittent Claudication. Rationale and Design of the COMPASS CLAUDICATION Trial.

BACKGROUND: The COMPASS trial demonstrated that in patients with peripheral arterial disease, the combination of rivaroxaban and aspirin compared with aspirin reduces the risk of major adverse limb events, but it is not known whether this combination can also improve symptoms in patients with intermittent claudication. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the combination on claudication distance. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-eight patients with intermittent claudication will be randomized to receive rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily or aspirin 100 mg once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in claudication distance from the baseline to 24 weeks, measured by 6 min walking test and treadmill test. The primary safety outcome is the incidence of major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis criteria. SUMMARY: The COMPASS CLAUDICATION trial will provide high-quality evidence regarding the effect of the combination of rivaroxaban and aspirin on claudication distance in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health lifestyle in patients with peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation has been one of the main strategies to prevent the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). However, the impact of social isolation on the lifestyle of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and claudication symptoms remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the perceptions of patients with PAD of the impact of social isolation provoked by COVID-19 pandemic on health lifestyle. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: The database of studies developed by our group involving patients with PAD from public hospitals in São Paulo. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey study, 136 patients with PAD (61% men, 68 ± 9 years old, 0.55 ± 0.17 ankle-brachial index, 82.4% with a PAD diagnosis ≥5 years old) were included. Health lifestyle factors were assessed through a telephone interview using a questionnaire containing questions related to: (a) COVID-19 personal care; (b) mental health; (c) health risk habits; (d) eating behavior; (e) lifestyle; (f) physical activity; (g) overall health; and (h) peripheral artery disease health care. RESULTS: The majority of patients self-reported spending more time watching TV and sitting during the COVID-19 pandemic and only 28.7% were practicing physical exercise. Anxiety and unhappiness were the most prevalent feelings self-reported among patients and 43.4% reported a decline in walking capacity. CONCLUSION: Most patients with PAD self-reported increased sedentary behavior, lower physical activity level, and worse physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it is necessary to adopt strategies to improve the quality of life of these patients during this period.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease: an observational cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative impact on the population's behavior. In this context, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication (IC) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug treatment of patients with PAD and IC. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 136 patients with PAD and IC were recruited from our database and answered a questionnaire by telephone involving the following questions: a) precautions related to COVID-19; b) general health status; and c) treatment of diseases. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups according to difficulty in obtaining their drugs (DOD: difficulty obtaining drugs, or NDOD: no difficulty obtaining drugs) and overall health was compared between groups. RESULTS: Seventeen percent of patients reported difficulties with obtaining drugs during the pandemic. A higher proportion of these patients reported being sadder (56.5% vs. 24.8%, P < 0.01) and having more difficulty sleeping (56.5% vs. 24.8%, P < 0.01) than of the patients in the NDOD group (P <0.01). The groups did not differ in terms of impairment of walking capability, anxiety, stress, or depression (P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of patients in the DOD group reported being sadder and having greater difficulty sleeping compared to the NDOD group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence, diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes of clinically suspected venous thromboembolic disease in patients with COVID-19 in a quaternary hospital in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Prothrombotic states have been associated with viral infections and the novel Sars-COV-2 infection has been associated with elevated D-dimer levels, although no causal relation has been clearly established. OBJECTIVES: This study presents an epidemiological analysis of manifest VTE episodes in a group of patients hospitalized because of COVID-19. METHODS: Medical records of patients who presented symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism in concomitance with confirmed COVID-19 were retrospectively studied. Demographic characteristics, prevalence of VTE, site of occurrence, D-dimer variation over time, management, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 484 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were admitted, 64 of which displayed VTE symptoms and 13 of which had confirmed symptomatic VTE(2.68% of total sample and 20.31% of symptomatic cases). Most cases (76.92%) occurred in intensive care. On the day attributed to VTE onset, D-dimer levels were over 3,000 ng/mL in 8 (80%) patients, a significant increase from baseline admission levels (p < 0.05). A significant decrease was also observed in D-dimer values at hospital discharge (p < 0.05). All patients received pharmacological thromboprophylaxis and/or anticoagulation as indicated. Two deaths occurred during the study, both patients with severe comorbidities. At the end of our study protocol, nine patients had been discharged and two remained hospitalized, but had no signs of VTE worsening. CONCLUSIONS: VTE prevalence in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 2.7%, and higher in intensive care units. Early institution of prophylaxis and immediate full anticoagulation when VTE is diagnosed should be the goals of those who treat this kind of patient.

CONTEXTO: Os estados pró-trombóticos têm sido associados a infecções virais. A nova infecção pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave do coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sabidamente eleva os níveis de D-dímero, embora a relação causal não tenha sido bem estabelecida. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo apresenta uma análise epidemiológica de episódios sintomáticos de tromboembolismo em um grupo de pacientes hospitalizados pela doença do novo coronavírus (COVID-19). MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de pacientes internados por COVID-19 que apresentaram trombose venosa profunda e/ou embolia pulmonar sintomáticas. Foram avaliados os dados demográficos, a prevalência de tromboembolismo, a variação do D-dímero ao longo do tempo, o manejo e os desfechos. RESULTADOS: Dos 484 casos confirmados de COVID-19 admitidos entre março e julho de 2020, 64 apresentaram sintomas de tromboembolismo, que foram investigados, e 13 tiveram tromboembolismo confirmado (2,68% do total e 20,31% dos sintomáticos). A maioria dos casos ocorreu em regime de terapia intensiva (76,92%). Houve um aumento significativo no número de pacientes com D-dímero acima de 3.000 ng/mL no dia atribuído ao diagnóstico de tromboembolismo com relação aos níveis do momento da admissão (80%, p < 0,05).Uma queda significativa de pacientes nesse limiar também foi observada no momento da alta (p < 0,05). Todos os pacientes receberam tromboprofilaxia ou anticoagulação conforme indicado. Houve dois óbitos na amostra, ambos pacientes com comorbidades severas. Ao fim do protocolo, nove pacientes receberam alta e dois permaneceram hospitalizados, mas sem sinais de piora. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de tromboembolismo em pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 foi de 2,7%, sendo mais frequente em regime de terapia intensiva. A instituição precoce de profilaxia e anticoagulação imediata ao diagnóstico é primordial nesse grupo de pacientes.

The burden of the pandemic on the non-SARS-CoV-2 emergencies: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Governments have implemented social distancing interventions to curb the speed of SARS-CoV-2 spread and avoid hospital overload. SARS-CoV-2 social distancing interventions have modified several aspects of society, leading to a change in the emergency medical visit profile. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting changes on the non-SARS-CoV-2 emergency medical care system profile. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter cross-sectional study evaluating medical consultations, urgent hospitalizations, and deaths in São Paulo, the largest city of the Americas. Changes in the medical visit profile according to demographic data and diagnoses were assessed. The change in mortality was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 462,412 emergency medical visits were registered from January 2019 to July 2020. Of these emergency medical visits, only 4.7% (21,653) required hospitalization. Of all visits, 592 resulted in deaths, equivalent to 0.1% of the sample. There was a clear decreasing trend in the number of weekly emergency medical visits as social distancing was mandated by decree (Coef. -3733.13; 95% CI -4579.85 to -2886.42; p < 0.001). The number of medical visits for conditions such as trauma, abdominal pain, chest pain, and the common cold decreased (p<0.05). However, the number of medical visits for the following conditions did not change after the onset of the pandemic (p≥0.05): ureterolithiasis, acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the non-SARS-CoV-2 emergency profile. The overall number of emergency medical visits has reduced. The mortality of non-SARS-CoV-2 emergencies has not increased in São Paulo.