[Prevalence and risk factors of delirium in COVID-19]. / Rasprostranennost' i faktory riska deliriya pri COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and risk factors of delirium in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four hundred and forty patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital of the University Clinical Hospital No.3 of Sechenov University were included in the study. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Delirium severity rating scale (DRS-R-98) were administered. RESULTS: Delirium was detected in 27.8% of patients. Significant risk factors were age (p=0.002), severity of respiratory failure (p=0.005), concomitant somatic disease (p=0.003), and respiratory therapy (p<0.001). There was an association between severe anxiety (p<0.001) and insomnia (p=0.07) observed at admission with the risk of developing delirium during the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The study reveals a high prevalence of delirium in patients with COVID-19. In order to prevent delirium and/or reduce the risk, early diagnosis and identification of preclinical forms are of particular importance.

[Treatment of depression complicated by abuse and dependence on alcohol]. / Osobennosti terapii depressivnykh sostoianii, oslozhnennykh zloupotrebleniem i zavisimost'iu ot alkogolia.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of different treatment regimens of depression complicated by abuse and dependence on alcohol and to identify the most effective tactics of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with depression were studied. Examination of patients was conducted using clinical-psychopathological method, the MADRS (at admission, on the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th week of treatment) and CGI scale (in the beginning of treatment and on 6th week). Data analysis using standard statistical indicators was performed. In accordance with the therapeutic tactics, patients were stratified into three groups: patients, treated with a combination of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers (group 1); antidepressants and antipsychotics (group 2); antidepressants and mood stabilizers (group 3). RESULTS: In group 1, a reduction in MADRS scores was significantly higher compared to other groups (8.53 points, p≤0.01). On the 6th week, 50% of the patients showed complete or almost complete remission, and the state of 44.7% patients was classified as 'mild disorders'. In group 3, serious condition remained in 16.7% of patients by the end of the 6th week. By the 6th week of treatment, 39.5% of patients of group 1 had 'very significant improvement'. The least treatment efficacy was noted in group 3. CONCLUSION: The use of the combination of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers demonstrates the greatest efficacy in terms of reduction of depressive symptoms.

[Clinical characteristics of depression in patients with episodic consumption of and dependence on alcohol]. / Klinicheskie osobennosti depressivnykh sostoianii u patsientov s zavisimost'iu ot alkogolia i ego épizodicheskim upotrebleniem.

AIM: To study clinical and psychopathological features of depression in patients with consumption of and dependence on alcohol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-nine depressed patients were examined. The first group included patients with depressive disorders complicated by alcoholism. The second group included patients, which used alcohol in depressive phase. Control group included patients with endogenous depression without drinking alcohol. Examinations of patients were carried out using clinical-psychopathological method, MADRS and statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Depressive disorders complicated by consumption of and dependence on alcohol were comparable for the clinical picture, family history, premorbid features. At the same time, they had a number of differences. In patients with alcohol abuse in depressive syndrome, anxious and melancholic depressions were more frequent. They were complicated with alcohol dependence, were more severe, had less favorite outcomes and a trend toward prolonged course and were more psychopathologically polymorphic. Characteristics of depression in patients with consumption of and dependence on alcohol will allow for a more accurate differential diagnosis and more adequate treatment of affective disorders.

Prevalence of and factors associated with frailty and disability in older adults from China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa.

BACKGROUND: The severe burden imposed by frailty and disability in old age is a major challenge for healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries alike. The current study aimed to provide estimates of the prevalence of frailty and disability in older adult populations and to examine their relationship with socioeconomic factors in six countries. METHODS: Focusing on adults aged 50+ years, a frailty index was constructed as the proportion of deficits in 40 variables, and disability was assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), as part of the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. RESULTS: This study included a total of 34,123 respondents. China had the lowest percentages of older adults with frailty (13.1%) and with disability (69.6%), whereas India had the highest percentages (55.5% and 93.3%, respectively). Both frailty and disability increased with age for all countries, and were more frequent in women, although the sex gap varied across countries. Lower levels of both frailty and disability were observed at higher levels of education and wealth. Both education and income were protective factors for frailty and disability in China, India and Russia, whereas only income was protective in Mexico, and only education in South Africa. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related frailty and disability are increasing concerns for older adult populations in low- and middle-income countries. The results indicate that lower levels of frailty and disability can be achieved for older people, and the study highlights the need for targeted preventive approaches and support programs.

[The prevalence of behavioral risk factors and diseases of blood circulation system].

The article is based on the data of "The study on global aging and adult health" (SAGE), a WHO international project carried out in 2007-2010. The sampling included respondents aged from 50 to 79 years old. The analysis covered such behavioral risk factors as tobacco smoking, physical activity, fruits consumption, etc. The results of measurement of blood pressure, body weight and body height were included into analysis. The prevalence of hypertension, angina pectoris and stroke was estimated The characteristics of prevalence of behavioral risk factors and types of their combination were established. The conclusion is made that in conditions of different status area and various degrees of physical exercises there is no possibility to make definite conclusion about real level of prevalence of diseases of blood circulation system in aged population.

Highly selective affinity labelling of RNA polymerase B (II) from wheat germ.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase B (II) from wheat germ was modified by incubation with 4-[N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl]benzaldehyde esters of AMP, ADP or ATP, followed by reduction with NaBH4. Reaction of the modified enzyme with [alpha-32P]UTP in the presence of various DNA templates led to a highly selective affinity labelling of the subunit with Mr 140 000 by covalently linked ApU. Labelling was inhibited by 1 microgram/ml alpha-amanitin.