scholarly journals Obesity population at risk of COVID-19 complications

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cuschieri ◽  
Stephan Grech
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Obese Population ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Abstract Introduction Global public health is challenged by two concurrent epidemics; COVID-19 and obesity. Considering the global prevalence of obesity, exploring relationships with COVID-19 are of clinical importance. The aim was to provide a comprehensive summary and recommendations on this relationship between COVID-19 and obesity. Method A literature search was performed to prepare a narrative review of COVID-19 and obesity. Results An obesity state promotes chronic inflammation, vitamin D deficiency, hinders immunity and causes mechanical lung compression. These increase susceptibilities to COVID-19 infection, complications including the requirement of invasive ventilation. Existing co-morbidities enhances these complications. Preventive measures of social distancing and self-isolation may increase stigmatisation and psychological deterrents. Hence, special recommendations targeting this vulnerable population are required. Conclusion The obese population is a COVID-19 vulnerable group, requiring special attention during this pandemic to avoid complications and healthcare systems burden. Lacking COVID-19 vaccination, regular physical activity and a healthy diet are recommended with attention to mental health. A prolonged quarantine duration and administration of prophylactic vitamin D may be considered.

Clinical Importance of One-Hour Plasma Glucose in Relation to Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in an Obese Population

Diabetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1540-P
Author(s):  
LIEN HAVERALS ◽  
KRISTOF P.S. VAN DESSEL ◽  
AN VERRIJKEN ◽  
EVELINE L. DIRINCK ◽  
FRIDA W. PEIFFER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Obese Population

Psychological Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease on Cancer Patients

Coronaviruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Dhiman
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Problem ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Recommended Care ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mental Trauma ◽  
The Cost

: In this letter, the psychological impact of COVID-19 on cancer infected patients is discussed. Cancer is a serious health-related problem in the human body nowadays. The 2019 pandemic of coronavirus disease has developed into an unheard-of pandemic. Given the havoc wreaked by this pathogen worldwide, many countries have implemented a severe, legally enforced method of social distancing, in the form of a lockdown. Unless adequate preventive measures are taken, the cost of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown can prove to be irreparable. The obvious consequences of this lockout, such as the escalating levels of unemployment, imminent economic crisis, and extreme food scarcity faced by the sudden unemployed migrant labour population, have been widely reported. Cancer patients are a highly vulnerable group even during non-pandemic periods, often presenting late in the course of their illness, without the services required to avail recommended care. The incidence of psychological complications and emotional distress is considerably higher than in the general population, and the trauma of both the pandemic and subsequent lockdown contributes significantly to their mental trauma. This analysis is geared at solving the challenges faced by cancer patients in the face of this pandemic and subsequent lockdown, with a look at potential solutions that can be enforced.

scholarly journals Afro-Communitarianism and the Role of Traditional African Healers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Cordeiro-Rodrigues ◽  
Thaddeus Metz
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
The Face

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, and in Africa, given the lack of resources, they are likely to be even more acute. The usefulness of Traditional African Healers in helping to mitigate the effects of pandemic has been neglected. We argue from an ethical perspective that these healers can and should have an important role in informing and guiding local communities in Africa on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Particularly, we argue not only that much of the philosophy underlying Traditional African Medicine is adequate and compatible with preventive measures for COVID-19, but also that Traditional African Healers have some unique cultural capital for influencing and enforcing such preventive measures. The paper therefore suggests that not only given the cultural context of Africa where Traditional African Healers have a special role, but also because of the normative strength of the Afro-communitarian philosophy that informs it, there are good ethical reasons to endorse policies that involve Traditional Healers in the fight against COVID-19. We also maintain that concerns about Traditional African Healers objectionably violating patient confidentiality or being paternalistic are much weaker in the face of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Rickets in Children: An Update

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 738
Author(s):  
Cristina Gentile ◽  
Francesco Chiarelli
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Nutritional Rickets ◽  
Laboratory Features ◽  
Radiologic Features

Rickets refers to a deficient mineralization of the growth plate cartilage, predominantly affecting longer bones. Despite the fact that preventive measures are available, it is still a common disease worldwide; nutritional rickets, due to vitamin D deficiency or dietary calcium inadequate intake, remains the most common form. Medical history, physical examination, radiologic features and biochemical tests are essential for diagnosis. Although recent studies suggest hypophosphatemia as the leading alteration, rickets is classically divided into two categories: calcipenic rickets and phosphopenic rickets. Knowledge of this categorization and of respective clinical and laboratory features is essential for rapid diagnosis and correct management. The aim of this review is to analyze the epidemiological, pathogenetic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of the different forms of rickets, describing the novelties on this “long-lived” disease.

scholarly journals Trends in contrast-induced acute kidney injury rate after percutaneous coronary interventions in coronary artery disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Mironova ◽  
OA Sivakova ◽  
VV Fomin
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Contrast Media ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary Interventions ◽  
Coronary Interventions ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
Coronary Syndromes

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury remains one of the dangerous complications of percutaneous coronary interventions, in spite of the evolution of contrast media and prevention strategies. Many researchers assume that this syndrome is not as frequent as it used to be and its clinical importance is overestimated. Purpose. The aim of the study was to assess the rates of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in a prospective study in patients with chronic coronary syndromes after percutaneous coronary interventions in 2012 and 2017 respectively. Methods. 1023 patients with chronic coronary syndromes and indications for the interventions with intra-arterial contrast media administration were included in the prospective open cohort study. 561 patients were enrolled in 2012 and 462 in 2017 respectively. The contrast media remained the same both in 2012 and 2017. Preventive measures included the administration of 0,9% saline 1 ml/kg/h intravenously and 0,5 kg/ml/h for the patients with heart failure before and after procedure. The primary endpoint was the development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury.  Results. The incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury decreased more than 3 times in 2017 than in 2012 (6% vs. 18,5%, 28 patients vs 104 patients respectively). The difference was statistically significant (p < 0,0001). The patients included in the study in 2017 were older, had higher body mass index and had more risk factors, than the ones enrolled in 2012. We organised several conferences for all the cardiologist involved in the treatment of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, as well as were printing materials describing the risk assessment and preventive measures that should be done in patients with chronic coronary syndromes before percutaneous coronary interventions (eg, stopping metformin and nephrotoxic drugs). Conclusion. The prevalence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury is decreasing not only due to the evolution of contrast media and preventive strategies, but also due to the higher level of education of all the doctors about the syndrome and its prognosis, as well as available preventive measures and treatment options.

scholarly journals Vitamin D signalling in adipose tissue

2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1915-1923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherlyn Ding ◽  
Dan Gao ◽  
John Wilding ◽  
Paul Trayhurn ◽  
Chen Bing
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Metabolites ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Adipose Tissue Development ◽  
And Function

Vitamin D deficiency and the rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity are both considered important public health issues. The classical role of vitamin D is in Ca homoeostasis and bone metabolism. Growing evidence suggests that the vitamin D system has a range of physiological functions, with vitamin D deficiency contributing to the pathogenesis of several major diseases, including obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that obese individuals tend to have a low vitamin D status, which may link to the dysregulation of white adipose tissue. Recent studies suggest that adipose tissue may be a direct target of vitamin D. The expression of both the vitamin D receptor and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) genes has been shown in murine and human adipocytes. There is evidence that vitamin D affects body fat mass by inhibiting adipogenic transcription factors and lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation. Some recent studies demonstrate that vitamin D metabolites also influence adipokine production and the inflammatory response in adipose tissue. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency may compromise the normal metabolic functioning of adipose tissue. Given the importance of the tissue in energy balance, lipid metabolism and inflammation in obesity, understanding the mechanisms of vitamin D action in adipocytes may have a significant impact on the maintenance of metabolic health. In the present review, we focus on the signalling role of vitamin D in adipocytes, particularly the potential mechanisms through which vitamin D may influence adipose tissue development and function.

scholarly journals Medication Error in Anaesthesia – A Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Montosh Kumar Mondal ◽  
Beauty Rani Roy ◽  
Shibani Banik ◽  
Debabrata Banik
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medication Error ◽  
Medication Errors ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Global Public Health Problem

Medication error is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in medical profession . There is an increasing recognition that medication errors are causing a substantial global public health problem, as many result in harm to patients and increased costs to health providers.Anaesthesia is now safe and routine, yet anaesthetists are not immune from making medication errors and the consequences of their mistakes may be more serious than those of doctors in other specialties. Steps are being taken to determine the extent of the problem of medication error in anaesthesia. In this review, incidence, types, risk factors and preventive measures of the medication errors are discussed in detail.Journal of Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists 2014; 27(1): 31-35

scholarly journals Prevalence of diabetes in the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Badawi ◽  
Sueng Gwan Ryoo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Epidemiologic Evidence ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Over the past two decades a number of severe acute respiratory infection outbreaks such as the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have emerged and presented a considerable global public health threat. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that diabetic subjects are more susceptible to these conditions. However, the prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 and MERS-CoV has not been systematically described. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published reports documenting the prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 and MERS-CoV and compare its frequency in the two viral conditions. Meta-analysis for the proportions of subjects with diabetes was carried out in 29 studies for H1N1 (n=92,948) and 9 for MERS-CoV (n=308). Average age of H1N1 patients (36.2±6.0 years) was significantly younger than that of subjects with MERS-CoV (54.3±7.4 years, P<0.05). Compared to MERS-CoV patients, subjects with H1N1 exhibited 3-fold lower frequency of cardiovascular diseases and 2- and 4-fold higher prevalence of obesity and immunosuppression, respectively. The overall prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 was 14.6% (95% CI: 12.3- 17.0%; P<0.001), a 3.6-fold lower than in MERS-CoV (54.4%; 95% CI: 29.4-79.5; P<0.001). The prevalence of diabetes among H1N1 cases from Asia and North America was ~two-fold higher than those from South America and Europe. The prevalence of diabetes in MERS-CoV cases is higher than in H1N1. Regional comparisons suggest that an etiologic role of diabetes in MERS-CoV may exist distinctive from that in H1N1.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Vitamin D (Co-VIVID Study): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seshadri Reddy Varikasuvu ◽  
Balachandar Thangappazham ◽  
Hemanth Raj
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Individual Outcomes ◽  
Vitamin D Levels

Background: Vitamin D levels have been reported to be associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, severity and mortality events.. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the use of vitamin D intervention on COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases (latest search on August 5, 2021). We included RCTs reporting the use of vitamin D intervention to control/placebo group in COVID-19. Two independent researchers did literature search, abstracted data, and the risk of bias assessment. Results: A total of 6 RCTs with 551 COVID-19 patients were included. The overall collective evidence pooling all the outcomes across all RCTs indicated the beneficial use of vitamin D intervention in COVID-19 (relative risk, RR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.92, Z=2.33, p=0.02, I2 = 48%). However, no statistical significance was observed for individual outcomes of ICU care (RR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.30, Z=1.48, p=0.14, I2 = 66%) and mortality (RR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.40, Z=0.66, p=0.02, I2 = 33%), though decreased rates were noted. The rates of RT-CR positivity was significantly decreased in the intervention group as compared to the non-vitamin D groups (RR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.89, Z=2.31, p=0.02, I2 = 0%). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients supplemented with vitamin D are more likely to demonstrate fewer rates of ICU admission, mortality events and RT-PCR positivity. However, no statistical significance has been achieved for individual outcomes of ICU and deaths. More RCTs and completion of ongoing trials largely needed to precisely establish the association between vitamin D use and COVID-19.

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