The usefulness of modified distress thermometer in screening adolescents with COVID-19 for psychological distress: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents are more vulnerable than other age groups to the psychosocial effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The modified distress thermometer (m-DT) was recently utilized for measuring the prevalence of psychological distress among adult COVID-19 patients. In the current study, we aimed to test the utilization of this m-DT in screening adolescent patients with COVID-19 for psychological distress. METHODS: Egyptian adolescent subjects with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at a University Hospital were enrolled. Binary logistic regression tests were conducted to explore the association between the m-DT cutoff scores of 4 and the clinical variables. RESULTS: A total of 48% (87/182) of the study subjects experienced significant (m-DT score ≥4) COVID-19-related distress. There were substantial differences between those with and without considerable distress regarding the length of quarantine, underlying medical disorders, and the presence of chronic respiratory conditions. Length of quarantine time, chronic respiratory disease, worry, and fever were independent factors associated with significant distress in COVID-19 adolescent patients. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the enrolled Egyptian adolescents with COVID-19 experienced significant psychological distress. The m-DT was helpful, as the current study had identified length of quarantine time, presence of chronic respiratory disease, worry, and fever as independent factors associated with significant distress in COVID-19 adolescents. Further studies are needed.

Circulating Endothelial Cells, Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Circulating Microparticles in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM:: Hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is accompanied by endothelial cell dysfunction which is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. The aim of the current study was to explore the profile of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelial and platelet derived micropaticles (EMPs, PMPs) and total microparticles (TMPs), in T1D children in relation to each other and to the metabolic disorders accompanying T1D. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: Thirty T1D patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy volunteers were assessed for HbA1c level and lipid profile. Quantification of CECs, EPCs, TMPs, EMPs and PMPs was done by flow cytometry. RESULTS:: The mean levels of EMPs, PMPs, TMPs and CECs were significantly higher in diabetic children compared to controls. Meanwhile, the levels of EPCs were significantly lower in diabetic children compared to controls. Both PMPs and CECs showed the highest significant differences between patients and controls and their levels were directly related to HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. A moderate correlation was observed between the frequency of PMPs and CECs. EPCs revealed negative correlations with both LDL and triglycerides. TMPs were only related to LDL, while EMPs were only related to HbA1c. CONCLUSION:: Although there is disturbance in the levels of EMPs, PMPs, TMPs, CECs and EPCs in type 1 diabetic children compared to the controls, only the levels of PMPs and CECs were closely affected by the poor glycemic control and dyslipidemia occurring in T1D; thus may contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.