Long-Term Headache and Cognitive Complaints Among Health Care Workers Who Acquired SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction Neurological manifestations are frequent after acquiring COVID-19 and may persist long-term as part of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Cognitive impairment, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and headache complaints are the most reported neurological features. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers were particularly vulnerable due to the high workload and levels of stress associated with this period, but acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may also contribute. The authors aimed to evaluate the neurological involvement of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 in a population of hospital health care workers and its impact on their personal and professional lives. Methods A sample of health care workers who did and did not acquire SARS-CoV-2 matched by age and sociodemographic variables was studied. Through an online questionnaire, data were collected regarding the symptoms in the acute phase of the disease (for those who acquired it) and for all in the last 6 months of the study period. Proportion of neurological complaints were compared between groups, adjusting for age, sex, and professional class (using a rate ratio (RR)). Results This study included 326 participants (174 cases and 152 controls). The mean age (standard deviation) was 39.7 (10.2) years, and the female:male ratio was 3:1. Headache and cognitive complaints were the most prevalent neurological complaints in the last 6 months of the study period. The health care workers who acquired SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to report headache and cognitive complaints than the control group (RR = 1.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-1.9 and RR = 2.02, 95% confidence interval = 1.53-2.65, respectively). Conclusion In a population of health care workers, those who acquired SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to have long-term cognitive complaints and persistent headaches.

Fall determinants in the adult Portuguese: do chronic conditions change the risk of falling?

OBJECTIVES: Falls are a major public health issue, given its prevalence and social impact. This study aimed to (1) characterize fallers in the adult Portuguese population as well as (2) identify if some chronic conditions are fall determinants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our data of 7403 adults (≥18 years) was retrieved from phase 1 survey of EpiReumaPt, a representative sample of adult Portuguese population. We analyzed sociodemographic variables and the presence of chronic diseases, which was evaluated by self-report. Anxiety/depression symptoms were assessed using The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fall was defined by the presence of a self-report fall in the previous 12 months to the interview. Univariate and Multivariable logistic regression were used to assess fall determinants. Analyses were conducted in Stata v13. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of falls in the Portuguese population is 24,1%. Women are at 2.12 times higher risk of fall than man (95% CI 1.79 - 2.51) and there's also a progressive increasing association between age and falls, with people with 75+ years having greater odds of falling (OR = 1.86 95% CI 1.49 - 2.31). Different chronic health conditions were identified as major determinants of falls in the Portuguese population. Neurologic (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.17 - 2.32) and rheumatic (OR = 1.44 95% CI 1.18 - 1.74) disease were significantly and independently associated with falls. Similar results were found for presence of anxiety (OR = 1.33 95% CI 1.04 - 1.71) or depression (OR = 1.61 95% CI 1.20 - 2.15) symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a perspective of the determinants of falls in the Portuguese population, allowing us to know that women and elders are at greater risk. We have showed that some chronic diseases are associated with falls, in particular musculoskeletal diseases and mental diseases. Implementing specific and adapted prevention strategies might reduce the number and complications of falls ultimately improving Portuguese overall health.