An eHealth Platform for the Holistic Management of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed several challenges on citizens and health systems. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be a valuable tool in providing tools for self-assessment and reporting of physical symptoms, early detection of symptom changes, up to date information towards citizen empowerment, personalized recommendations and communication with healthcare providers in case of need. To this direction, this paper reports on the design and implementation of a novel technical infrastructure to support citizens with possible or confirmed COVID-19 disease. The designed platform builds upon an existing personal health record to facilitate symptom tracking, self-management, and personalized recommendations, effective communication channels between patients and clinicians and public health authorities assisting citizens to remain longer safe at home.

Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Data from IFSO-European Chapter Center of Excellence Program.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) performed in Institutions participating in IFSO-European Chapter, Center of Excellence (COE) program. METHODS: Since the initiation of the program in January 2010, 6413 SGs and 10,622 RYGBPs performed as primary procedures by December 31, 2014, with at least 12-month follow-up, were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: There were steadily increasing numbers of patients underwent SG from 2010 to 2015. Early (<30 days) postoperative complication rate of 3.02 % for RYGBP was significantly higher than 2.12 % seen after SG (p = 0.0006). Only two patients, one in each group, died in the first 30 postoperative days (0.016 % mortality for SG vs 0.009 % for RYGBP-NS). From SG group, 103 patients, 1.61 %, and 206 patients, 1.94 %, from RYGBP group required readmission following hospital discharge in the first 30 days following bariatric surgery-NS. From the readmitted patients in the SG group, 75.72 % were reoperated vs 50.50 % in the RYGBP group (p < 0.0001). SG patients were heavier (BMI 44.93 vs 43.96 kg/m2, p < 0.0001). However, significantly better % excess weight loss were seen following RYGBP in all postoperative years (60.36 vs 67.72 %, p = 0.002 at fifth year). Better remission rates were seen for diabetes, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea syndrome after RYGBP in the first postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures were performed with very low complications, mortality, readmissions, and reoperations rate. Better weight loss was observed following RYGBP, the first five postoperative years.