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BackgroundNo epidemiological data on post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) condition due to Omicron variant has been reported yet. MethodsThis was as a single-center, cross-sectional study, that interviewed via telephone the patients who recovered from Omicron COVID-19 infection (Omicron group), and surveyed via self-reporting questionnaire those patients infected with other strains (control group). Data on patients characteristics, information regarding the acute-phase COVID-19, as well as presence and duration of COVID-19-related symptoms were obtained. Post COVID-19 condition in this study was defined as a symptom that lasted at least 2 months within 3 months since the onset of COVID-19. We investigated and compared the prevalence of post COVID-19 condition in both groups after performing propensity score matching. ResultsWe conducted interviews for 53 out of 128 patients with Omicron, and obtained 502 responses in the control group. After matching, 18 patients each in Omicron and control group had improved covariate balance of the older adult, female sex, obese patients, and vaccination status. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of each post-acute COVID-19 symptoms between the two groups. The numbers of patients with at least one post-acute COVID-19 symptom in the Omicron and the control group were 1 (5.6%) and 10 (55.6%) (p=0.003), respectively. ConclusionThe prevalence of post Omicron COVID-19 conditions was less than that of the other strains. Further research with more participants is needed to investigate the precise epidemiology of post COVID-19 condition of Omicron, and its impact on health-related quality of life and social productivity.
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BackgroundLong COVID has been a social concern. Though patient characteristics associated with developing long COVID are partially known, those associated with persisting it have not been identified. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of patients after COVID-19 recovery who visited the National Center for Global Health and Medicine between February 2020 and March 2021. Demographic and clinical data, and the presence and duration of long COVID were obtained. We identified factors associated with development and persistence of long COVID using multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis, respectively. ResultsWe analyzed 457 of 526 responses (response rate, 86.9%). The median age was 47 years, and 378 patients (84.4%) had mild disease in acute phase. The number of patients with any symptoms after 6 and 12 months after onset or diagnosis were 120 (26.3%) and 40 (8.8%), respectively. Women were at risk for development of fatigue (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.31-3.14), dysosmia (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24-2.93), dysgeusia (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.39), and hair loss (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.77-5.09), and were at risk for persistence of any symptoms (coefficient 38.0, 95% CI 13.3-62.8). Younger age and low body mass index were risk factors for developing dysosmia (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98, and OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99, respectively) and dysgeusia (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00, and OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.98, respectively). ConclusionWe identified risk factors for the persistence as well as development of long COVID. Many patients suffer from long-term residual symptoms, even in mild cases. SummaryOur cross-sectional questionnaire survey of patients recovering from COVID-19 revealed that women, young age, and low body mass index were risk factors for the development of multiple symptoms, and that even mild cases of COVID-19 suffered from long-term residual symptoms.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>Objectives</b></p><p> The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare providers regarding the utilization of oxytocin for induction or augmentation of labor.</p><p><b>Methods</b></p><p> A qualitative study composed of direct observation and individual interview was conducted at a national tertiary maternity hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in January and February 2013. The progress of labor in women who received oxytocin for induction or augmentation of labor was directly observed to confirm the healthcare providers’ management of oxytocin infusion. The attending doctors and midwives were individually interviewed after the women delivered. </p><p><b>Results</b></p><p> During the study period, 10 women were observed, and 12 healthcare providers (three doctors and nine midwives) were interviewed individually. Indications for labor induction or augmentation seemed to be appropriate for nine women. However, we found discrepancies between the national protocol and healthcare providers’ knowledge and actual practices. For example, 11 healthcare providers had never read the national protocol for the management of labor induction and augmentation, which implied limited access to the correct knowledge. A misconception was noted in that the sudden increase of oxytocin was not dangerous during the second stage of labor, despite the establishment of a good contraction pattern. Furthermore, a lack of unified initial dose and extremely high maximum dose above that recommended by the national protocol were observed. About half of observed women were not monitored for more than 2 hours from the beginning of oxytocin infusion.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p> In the present study, lack of knowledge, misconceptions regarding the management of oxytocin infusion, and a large gap between the national protocol and the actual clinical practices were confirmed. To maximize patient safety and therapeutic benefit, dissemination of the national protocol through in-service training is required.</p>
