scholarly journals Assessing the extent and timing of chemosensory impairments during COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Cecchetto ◽  
Antonella Di Pizio ◽  
Federica Genovese ◽  
Orietta Calcinoni ◽  
Alberto Macchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The Self ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Essential Step

AbstractChemosensory impairments have been established as a specific indicator of COVID-19. They affect most patients and may persist long past the resolution of respiratory symptoms, representing an unprecedented medical challenge. Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic started, we now know much more about smell, taste, and chemesthesis loss associated with COVID-19. However, the temporal dynamics and characteristics of recovery are still unknown. Here, capitalizing on data from the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research (GCCR) crowdsourced survey, we assessed chemosensory abilities after the resolution of respiratory symptoms in participants diagnosed with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. This analysis led to the identification of two patterns of chemosensory recovery, partial and substantial, which were found to be associated with differential age, degrees of chemosensory loss, and regional patterns. Uncovering the self-reported phenomenology of recovery from smell, taste, and chemesthetic disorders is the first, yet essential step, to provide healthcare professionals with the tools to take purposeful and targeted action to address chemosensory disorders and their severe discomfort.

scholarly journals From loss to recovery: how to effectively assess chemosensory impairments during COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Cecchetto ◽  
Antonella Di Pizio ◽  
Federica Genovese ◽  
Orietta Calcinoni ◽  
Alberto Macchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The Self ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Essential Step

Chemosensory impairments have been established as a specific indicator of COVID-19. They affect most patients and may persist long past the resolution of respiratory symptoms, representing an unprecedented medical challenge. Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic started, we now know much more about smell, taste, and chemesthesis loss associated with COVID-19. However, the temporal dynamics and characteristics of recovery are still unknown. Here, capitalizing on data from the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research (GCCR) crowdsourced survey, we assessed chemosensory abilities after the resolution of respiratory symptoms in participants diagnosed with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. This analysis led to the identification of two patterns of chemosensory recovery, limited (partial) and substantial, which were found to be associated with differential age, degrees of chemosensory loss, and regional patterns. Uncovering the self-reported phenomenology of recovery from smell, taste, and chemesthetic disorders is the first, yet essential step, to provide healthcare professionals with the tools to take purposeful and targeted action to address chemosensory disorders and its severe discomfort.

scholarly journals The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Presymptomatic COVID-19 Patients: How We Can be One Step Ahead in Mitigating a Deadly Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juen Kiem Tan ◽  
Dalleen Leong ◽  
Hemalatha Munusamy ◽  
Nor Hazwani Zenol Ariffin ◽  
Najma Kori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Atypical Symptoms ◽  
One Step ◽  
Transmission Studies

Abstract Presymptomatic COVID-19 patients have been identified as a major stumbling block in efforts to break the chain of transmission. Studies on temporal dynamics of its shedding suggests it peaks 1-2 days prior to any symptom onset. Therefore, a large proportion of patients are actively spreading the disease unknowingly whilst undetected. However, lengthy lockdowns and isolation leads to a host of socioeconomic issues and are impractical. Conversely, there exists no study describing this group and their clinical significance despite their key role in disease transmission. As a result, we devised a study to look at the prevalence of presymptomatic patients with COVID-19 and subsequently, identify early indicators of infection through demographic information, biochemical and radiological abnormalities which would allow early diagnosis and isolation. In addition, we will look into the clinical significance of this group and their outcome; if it differs from asymptomatic or symptomatic patients. Our analysis shows a higher proportion of presymptomatic patients with atypical symptoms like chest pain while symptomatic patients commonly present with respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath. Besides that, there were more females presenting as presymptomatic patients and receiving treatment compared to males and this was found to be statistically significant. Otherwise, we were not able to identify other statistically significant markers suggesting a patient is presymptomatic. As we have little means of identifying these silent spreaders, it highlights further the importance of general measures implemented to stop COVID-19 transmission like social distancing, face mask, and widespread testing.

scholarly journals The Human Self Has Two Serial Aspects and Is Dynamic: A Concept Based on Neurophysiological Evidence Supporting a Multiple Aspects Self Theory (MAST)

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Peter Walla ◽  
Georg Northoff ◽  
Cornelia Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The Self ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Theoretical Idea ◽  
Temporal Dimension ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Referential Processing

The self is an increasingly central topic in current neuroscience. Understanding the neural processes that are involved in self-referential processing and functioning may also be crucial to understanding consciousness. The current short communication goes beyond the typical concept that the self is singular, as has been assumed from neuroanatomical descriptions of the self by fMRI and PET studies. Long ago, theoretically, the idea of multiple aspects of the human self-arose, highlighting a dynamic organizational structure, but an increasing number of electrophysiological brain imaging studies, searching for the temporal dynamics of self-referential brain processes, now has empirical evidence supporting their existence. This short communication focuses on the theoretical idea of a dynamic self and provides first preliminary empirical evidence, including results from own studies of the authors, in support of, and highlights the serial dynamics of the human self, suggesting a primitive Me1 and an elaborate Me2 (a non-personal and a personal self). By focusing on the temporal dimension of the self, we propose that multiple aspects of the self can be distinguished based on their temporal sequence. A multiple aspects Self Theory (MAST) is proposed. This model is meant as a theoretical framework for future studies providing further support.

Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Professionals’ Needs When Designing the Content of a Mobile Application for the Clinical Monitoring of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Home Oxygen Therapy: A User-Centered Design (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisbed Naranjo Rojas ◽  
Guillermo Molina-Recio ◽  
Luis Angel Perula-de-torres
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Clinical Monitoring ◽  
Self Management ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Home Oxygen Therapy ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic respiratory diseases require oxygen supply in a considerable amount to reduce their symptoms and increase their survival. The development of abilities for the self-management of chronic diseases has been shown to be essential to decrease exacerbation of symptoms. Therefore, the design and development of health mobile applications (apps) that aid in educating and training for disease self-management are cost-effective strategies. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to describe the main characteristics that, according to final users, should be included in a mobile application for monitoring patients prescribed home oxygen therapy. METHODS A participative-qualitative design was used, involving direct participation of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Focus groups were conducted to identify the needs and perspectives related to the app. A card sorting method was used to determine the contents and basic architecture of the app. RESULTS By means of the focus groups, we could identify nine basic functions of the app for the clinical monitoring of patients under home oxygen therapy. For both profiles, the app structure was determined by identifying the most frequent contents among participants. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of a user-centered design allowed for the detection of the functions, contents, and basic architecture of the app by identifying healthcare professionals and patients’ needs and preferences regarding the self-management and monitoring of home oxygen prescriptions. CLINICALTRIAL Trial Registration: The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04820790

Factors Related to the Localisation of Symptoms to the Chest in Depression

1972 ◽  
Vol 121 (563) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. H. Burns ◽  
Madeline A. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
The Self ◽  
Anxiety State ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Descriptive Account ◽  
Bodily Experiences ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Meaningful Connections

Over a hundred years ago Griesinger (1861) identified hypochondriasis with melancholia; and quite recently, Kenyon (1964) in a study of 512 patients with a diagnosis of hypochondriasis concluded that it was always part of another syndrome, most commonly a depressive or anxiety state. Many patients with a depressive illness experience localized somatic symptoms. The question arises why, during an episode of depression, some patients have localized somatic symptoms, sometimes consistently in the same site in recurrent episodes, whilst others have none. The head, chest and abdomen have been reported as the most common sites (Schneider, 1959; Gittleson, 1962). Jaspers (1913–46) pointed out that ‘we should distinguish between phenomenological description of actual bodily experiences and any discussion of the significance for the individual of his own body in terms of the effective meaningful connections where there are hypochondriacal narcissistic or symbol-forming tendencies influencing the self-awareness'. The present study is concerned with the possible meaningful connections related to the localization of symptoms to the chest in depression, and follows a descriptive account of respiratory symptoms in depression (Burns, 1971). These symptoms include sighing respiration, hyperventilation, ‘vital feelings' on the chest and depressive delusions directed towards the chest.

Developmental Considerations of Anorexia Nervosa and Obesity

1981 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 212-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Bruch
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
The Self ◽  
Developmental Issues ◽  
Sense Of Competence ◽  
The Core ◽  
Essential Step ◽  
Distinguishing Features

The differentiation of the distinct clinical syndrome of anorexia nervosa from atypical cases is based on the following distinguishing features: a relentless pursuit of thinness; an almost delusional disturbance of body image; an inability to correctly identify hunger from other bodily or tension states; a lack of an identity awareness; and a paralyzing sense of ineffectiveness. This sense of ineffectiveness, pervasive of all thought and action, is connected with the perception of the self as acting only in response to the demands of others and is camouflaged by negativism and defiance. The core developmental issues of being unable to experience the control over one's own body and of lacking the conviction of living one's own life are based on the severe deficits in autonomy and initiative, originating from the distortion and mislabeling of feelings, sensation and moods in early childhood. The treatment process focuses on evoking awareness in these patients of their impulses, feelings and needs as originating within themselves as an essential step in the development of a sense of competence and self-esteem.

scholarly journals Post COVID-19 Organizing Pneumonia: The Right Time to Interfere

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Kristina Bieksiene ◽  
Jurgita Zaveckiene ◽  
Kestutis Malakauskas ◽  
Neringa Vaguliene ◽  
Marius Zemaitis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Lung Diseases ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Lung Damage ◽  
Organizing Pneumonia ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Management Algorithm ◽  
Systemic Glucocorticoids ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
The Right

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed medical care. Healthcare professionals are faced with new issues. Patients who survived COVID-19 have plenty of different continuing symptoms, of which the most common are fatigue and breathlessness. It is not well known how to care for patients with persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms and changes on chest X-ray following COVID-19 pneumonia. In this article, we talk about a subgroup of patients with organizing pneumonia following COVID-19 pneumonia that could be effectively treated with systemic glucocorticoids. It is important that patients with COVID-19 pneumonia be followed-up at least three weeks after diagnosis, in order to recognize early lung damage. We are providing a management algorithm for early diagnosis of lung diseases after COVID-19 pneumonia.

scholarly journals Applications of a Chronic Care Model for Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10840
Author(s):  
Rashid M. Ansari ◽  
Mark F. Harris ◽  
Hassan Hosseinzadeh ◽  
Nicholas Zwar
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
System Design ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Chronic Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Care Model

The main aim of this study was to explore the suitability, practicality, and acceptability of the self-management support and delivery system design components of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) in type 2 diabetes self-management in primary care settings in rural Pakistan. Thirty patients living with type 2 diabetes and 20 healthcare professionals (10 general practitioners and 10 nurses) were recruited from Al-Rehman Hospital at Abbottabad, Pakistan. The study data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The self-management element of the CCM played an important role in managing type 2 diabetes, and self-efficacy in relation to diet and diabetes management were the most effective strategies. Surprisingly, considering the local culture around diabetes, patient care reflecting their cultural background was identified as an important factor by patients not healthcare professionals. The delivery system design element of the CCM promoted multidisciplinary teamwork. Our findings suggest that the self-management support and delivery system design components of the CCM provided an effective framework for supporting diabetes self-management education and support in rural areas.

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