RESUMO
Background: The specific long-term sequela of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as long COVID of the Omicron variant remain unclear, due to a lack of cohort studies that include non-COVID patients with cold-like symptoms. The study was conducted to examine specific sequelae symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which is considered the Omicron variant, compared with patients who were never-infected. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we sent questionnaires in November 2022, targeting those who visited our fever outpatient unit of a single institution from July to September 2022. SARS-CoV-2 infection status was determined by SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results during the study period collected in electronic medical records. Clinical characteristics at 30 days or more since the date of SARS-CoV-2 PCR test were assessed by the questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the independent association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible sequelae symptoms. Results: In total, valid responses were received from 4,779 patients (mean age: 41.4 years, standard deviation: 19.8 years old). Among them, 3,326 (69.6%) and 1,453 (30.4%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR test positive and never-infected, respectively. We found that patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to have a loss of taste or smell [odds ratio (OR) 4.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93, 10.71], hair loss (OR 3.19, 95% CI: 1.67, 6.09), neurocognitive symptoms (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.43, 2.65), and respiratory symptoms (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.47) than never-infected patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with common cold symptoms, chronic physical distress, or diarrhea as sequelae symptoms. Further, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination showed protective effects on sequelae of loss of taste or smell and hair loss. Conclusions: Loss of taste or smell, hair loss, neurocognitive symptoms, and respiratory symptoms were found to be specific sequelae of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. It is important not to miss these symptoms that follow SARS-CoV-2 infection and to recognize and manage the long COVID.
RESUMO
AIM: Previous studies showed mixed evidence on the association between duration of mobile devices usage and behavior problems among children. We aimed to examine this association using a large population-based sample of fourth grade children (i.e. aged 9-10 years old), stratified by gender. METHODS: Questionnaires with anonymous unique identifiers were distributed to 4th grade students (aged 9-10 years old) at all public schools in Adachi City, Tokyo (n = 4,105). Duration of mobile devices usage was self-reported, and behavior problems were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire by caregivers. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, family social capital, and number of friends. RESULTS: Among boys, U-shape association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and behavior problems; boys with usage time of less than 1 h showed 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.50 to -0.27] point lower total difficulty score in comparison with boys who do not use mobile devices, and total difficulty score among boys with usage time of 1 h or more was not different with non-users. Among girls, dose-response positive association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and total difficulty score (P for trend: <0.001). CONCLUSION: Among children aged 9-10 years old, mobile devices usage time of less than 1 h was a protective factor for behavior problems in boys, while usage time of 1-h or more was a risk factor in girls. Further longitudinal study is warranted to confirm the findings.
