scholarly journals Endocrinology and Covid-19: A Multifaceted Interaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 243-249
Author(s):  
Gagan Priya ◽  
Emmy Grewal ◽  
Indira Maisnam
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Endocrine Organs ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWomen with diabetes, obesity and other endocrine or metabolic disorders form a distinct vulnerable group, who are at increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, either due to increased risk of severe infection or due to challenges in healthcare delivery during the pandemic.Diabetes is a major risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. Optimal cardiometabolic control and preventive measures to reduce risk of infection are needed in people afflicted with diabetes. Women with diabetes are at greater risk as they have limited access to diabetes care facilities even outside the time frame of a pandemic and this gender gap in care is likely to widen during the pandemic. Moreover, the care of pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) also cannot be compromised. While alternate screening strategies for GDM such as the use of fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin are being considered, telemedicine services can offer a platform for remote monitoring and delivery of optimal diabetes care to pregnant women.Telemedicine services can also be used for delivery of long-term care for other endocrine disorders. Elective surgery or evaluation of endocrine disorders that are not immediately life-threatening can be deferred till appropriate safety precautions can be taken. At the same time, there is a need ensure that care of endocrinopathies such as diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis, all of which affect women more severely, is not compromised during the pandemic.Many endocrine organs, including pancreas, thyroid, testis, ovary, adrenals and pituitary, express the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) that is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since ACE2 expression is different in men and women, there is a need to evaluate the impact of the virus on endocrine system and assess whether this is gender-specific.

scholarly journals Risk of Nursing Home Use Among Older Americans: The Impact of Psychiatric History and Trajectories of Cognitive Function

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria T Brown ◽  
Miriam Mutambudzi
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Psychiatric Training ◽  
Psychiatric History ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Course Variables ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Mental illness and cognitive functioning may be independently associated with nursing home use. We investigated the strength of the association between baseline (1998) psychiatric history, 8-year cognitive function trajectories, and prospective incidence of nursing home use over a 10-year period while accounting for relevant covariates in U.S. adults aged 65 and older. We hypothesized that self-reported baseline history of psychiatric, emotional, or nervous problems would be associated with a greater risk of nursing home use and that cognition trajectories with the greatest decline would be associated with a subsequent higher risk of nursing home use. Methods We used 8 waves (1998–2016) of Health and Retirement Study data for adults aged 65 years and older. Latent class mixture modeling identified 4 distinct cognitive function trajectory classes (1998–2006): low-declining, medium-declining, medium-stable, and high-declining. Participants from the 1998 wave (N = 5,628) were classified into these 4 classes. Competing risks regression analysis modeled the subhazard ratio of nursing home use between 2006 and 2016 as a function of baseline psychiatric history and cognitive function trajectories. Results Psychiatric history was independently associated with greater risk of nursing home use (subhazard ratio [SHR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.51, p < .01), net the effects of life course variables. Furthermore, “low-declining” (SHR 2.255, 95% CI 1.70–2.99, p < .001) and “medium-declining” (2.103, 95% CI 1.69–2.61, p < .001) trajectories predicted increased risk of nursing home use. Discussion Evidence of these associations can be used to educate policymakers and providers about the need for appropriate psychiatric training for staff in community-based and residential long-term care programs.

scholarly journals Low serum selenium in pregnancy is associated with reduced T3 and increased risk of GDM

2021 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57
Author(s):  
Pierre Hofstee ◽  
Janelle James-McAlpine ◽  
Daniel R McKeating ◽  
Jessica J Vanderlelie ◽  
James S M Cuffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Serum Selenium ◽  
Selenium Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Low Serum

Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorders affecting women commencing pregnancy. Thyroid hormone metabolism is strongly influenced by selenium status; however, the relationship between serum selenium concentrations and thyroid hormones in euthyroid pregnant women is unknown. This study investigated the relationship between maternal selenium and thyroid hormone status during pregnancy by utilizing data from a retrospective, cross-sectional study (Maternal Outcomes and Nutrition Tool or MONT study) with cohorts from two tertiary care hospitals in South East Queensland, Australia. Pregnant women (n = 206) were recruited at 26–30 weeks gestation and serum selenium concentrations were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Thyroid function parameters were measured in serum samples from women with the lowest serum selenium concentrations (51.2 ± 1.2 µg/L), women with mean concentrations representative of the entire cohort (78.8 ± 0.4 µg/L) and women with optimal serum selenium concentrations (106.9 ± 2.3 µg/L). Women with low serum selenium concentrations demonstrated reduced fT3 levels (P < 0.05) and increased TPOAb (P < 0.01). Serum selenium was positively correlated with fT3 (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with TPOAb (P < 0.001). Serum fT4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were not different between all groups, though the fT4/TSH ratio was increased in the low selenium cohort (P < 0.05). Incidence of pregnancy disorders, most notably gestational diabetes mellitus, was increased within the low serum selenium cohort (P < 0.01). These results suggest selenium status in pregnant women of South East Queensland may not be adequate, with possible implications for atypical thyroid function and undesirable pregnancy outcomes.

Predictive Value of Immunological Parameters in the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnette Fagninou ◽  
Magloire Pandoua Nekoua ◽  
Salomon Ezéchiel Mahougnon Fiogbe ◽  
Kabirou Moutairou ◽  
Akadiri YESSOUFOU
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background : Immunological and biochemical parameters are gaining more and more importance in the prognosis of diabetes and its complications. Here we assessed the predictive power of immunological parameters correlated with biochemical ones in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Material and Methods : 217 pregnant women were screened for GDM between the 2 nd and the 3 rd trimester of gestation, based on IAGDP methods in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Immunological and biochemical parameters were determined using appropriate methods. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to assess the optimal cutoff and value of immunological to biochemical parameter ratios for predicting GDM. Results : 11.90% of pregnant women were diagnosed GDM positive. Serum glucose levels, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and total proteins were significantly increased while HDL-cholesterol decreased in women with GDM compared to controls. The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and creatinine, as well as transaminase (AST and ALT) activities did not significantly differ between GDM and pregnant controls. Total leucocytes (white blood cell), lymphocyte and platelet numbers were significantly higher in women with GDM than in pregnant controls. We also found that the lymphocyte:HDL-C, monocyte:HDL-C and granulocyte:HDL-C ratios were significantly higher in women with GDM than in pregnant controls ( p = 0.001; p = 0.009 and p = 0.004 respectively). Women with a lymphocyte:HDL-C ratio greater than 3.66 had a 4-fold increased risk of developing GDM than those with lower ratios (odds ratio 4.00; 95% CI: 1.094 – 14.630; p =0.041). Conclusion : The lymphocyte:HDL-C, monocyte:HDL-C and granulocyte:HDL-C ratios may represent valuable makers, and the lymphocyte:HDL-C ratio in particular may have strong predictive power for GDM. This ratio can be easily assessed in patients.

scholarly journals 575. Evaluation of Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S271-S271
Author(s):  
Gauri Chauhan ◽  
Nikunj M Vyas ◽  
Todd P Levin ◽  
Sungwook Kim
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) occurs with enhanced frequency in hospitalized patients and are usually associated with poor clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients with VRE infections. Methods This study was an IRB-approved multi-center retrospective chart review conducted at a three-hospital health system between August 2016-November 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients ≥18 years and admitted for ≥24 hours with cultures positive for VRE. Patients pregnant or colonized with VRE were excluded. The primary endpoint was to analyze the association of potential risk factors with all-cause in-hospital mortality (ACM) and 30-day readmission. The subgroup analysis focused on the association of risk factors with VRE bacteremia. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the impact of different treatment groups of high dose daptomycin (HDD) (≥10 mg/kg/day) vs. low dose daptomycin (LDD) (< 10 mg/kg/day) vs. linezolid (LZD) on ACM and 30-day readmission. Subgroup analysis focused on the difference of length of stay (LOS), length of therapy (LOT), duration of bacteremia (DOB) and clinical success (CS) between the treatment groups. Results There were 81 patients included for analysis; overall mortality was observed at 16%. Utilizing multivariate logistic regression analyses, patients presenting from long-term care facilities (LTCF) were found to have increased risk for mortality (OR 4.125, 95% CI 1.149–14.814). No specific risk factors were associated with 30-day readmission. Patients with previous exposure to fluoroquinolones (FQ) and cephalosporins (CPS), nosocomial exposure and history of heart failure (HF) showed association with VRE bacteremia. ACM was similar between HDD vs. LDD vs. LZD (16.7% vs. 15.4% vs. 0%, P = 0.52). No differences were seen between LOS, LOT, CS, and DOB between the groups. Conclusion Admission from LTCFs was a risk factor associated with in-hospital mortality in VRE patients. Individuals with history of FQ, CPS and nosocomial exposure as well as history of HF showed increased risk of acquiring VRE bacteremia. There was no difference in ACM, LOS, LOT, and DOB between HDD, LDD and LZD. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The Impact of an Educational Program on Improving Diabetes Knowledge and Changing Behaviors of Nurses in Long-Term Care Facilities

1995 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Turner Parker ◽  
Nancy Leggett-Frazier ◽  
Pauline A. Vincent ◽  
Melvin S. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact

Nursing staffs from two long-term care facilities attended a multisession educational program about the care of residents with diabetes (treatment group). A control group consisted of the nursing staffs from two other similar facilities who did not participate in the educational program. Both groups were given a knowledge pretest and posttest. A chart review also was conducted following the educational intervention to determine any changes in the diabetes care provided by the treatment group. Following the educational program, the treatment group had a significant increase in their mean score on the knowledge test compared with the control group. However, a. review of the residents' charts revealed no significant increases in specific behaviors related to diabetes care. The findings suggest that, in addition to educational programs, more focused training concerning diabetes care is needed to improve the care of residents with diabetes in long-term care facilities. Implications for diabetes educators are discussed.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Sexual Function: Are Pregnant Women Affected More Adversely?

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-774
Author(s):  
Ramazan Denizli ◽  
Önder Sakin ◽  
Kazibe Koyuncu ◽  
Nayif Çiçekli ◽  
Nihat Farisoğulları ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective To investigate depression and sexual function among pregnant and non-pregnant women throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A total of 188 women, 96 pregnant and 92 non-pregnant were included. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were applied to the participants after obtaining sociodemographic data. Results The depression scores of pregnant and non-pregnant women were similar (p = 0.846). We found that the depression scores were significantly higher among the group of participants who have lower economic status (p = 0.046). Moreover, the depression score was significantly higher among women who lost their income during the pandemic (p = 0.027). The score on the ASEX was significantly higher, and sexual dysfunction was more prevalent among women who have lower levels of schooling and income (p < 0.05). Likewise, the ASEX scores were significantly higher (p = 0.019) among the group who experienced greater income loss throughout the pandemic. Upon comparing the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, we detected that sexual dysfunction had a significantly higher rate among pregnant women (p < 0.001). Conclusion In times of global crisis, such as the current pandemic, low-income families have an increased risk of experiencing depression and sexual dysfunction. When we compared pregnant women with non-pregnant women, depression scores were similar, but pregnant women were at a 6.2 times higher risk of developing sexual dysfunction.

scholarly journals Planning for a cohort study to investigate the impact and management of influenza in pregnancy in a future pandemic

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Knight ◽  
Peter Brocklehurst ◽  
Pat O’Brien ◽  
Maria A Quigley ◽  
Jennifer J Kurinczuk
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Pandemic Strain ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

BackgroundEvidence from the 2009 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic demonstrated that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to infection and at an increased risk of death. Active data collection through the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) about women admitted to hospital during the 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic was used to inform ongoing clinical guidance regarding the use of antiviral treatment for pregnant women and demonstrated that, in addition to an increased risk of maternal morbidity, influenza infection in pregnancy is associated with poor perinatal outcomes, including an increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth. This evidence influenced the decision to offer routine influenza immunisation to pregnant women. Even in a non-epidemic period, pregnant women continue to die from influenza.ObjectiveTo establish, and then to put into hibernation, the study mechanisms needed to mount a rapid investigation of the impact of pandemic influenza in pregnancy in the event of a newly emerging pandemic strain.DesignA new UKOSS cohort study was designed, based on the 2009–10 study, and following consultation with the Pandemic Flu Planning Group at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the UKOSS Steering Committee, to identify potential previously unanswered questions.SettingUK maternity units.ParticipantsAll pregnant women admitted to hospital with influenza in a future pandemic.Main outcome measuresManagement of pregnant women with influenza infection, intervention rates, treatment and pregnancy outcome for both the mother and fetus.ResultsThe study was designed and approved by the UKOSS Steering Committee and then placed into hibernation for activation in the event of an influenza pandemic.ConclusionsPregnant women, as a result of their changed immunological status, appear to be particularly susceptible to infection, including from influenza. The existence of the UKOSS enabled us to rapidly mount a study of pregnant women who were hospitalised with 2009 A/H1N1 influenza. Minor modifications to incorporate previously unanswered questions and our previous study enabled us to design, and then put into hibernation, a new study ready to investigate the impact and management of influenza in pregnancy, which is poised for activation in the event of a newly emerging pandemic strain. This will enable real-time data to be available on which to base rapid changes in clinical management as the as-yet-unforeseen pandemic unfolds. In the event of an influenza pandemic the study will be available to be immediately activated following expedited regulatory approvals.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN44137563.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

scholarly journals Transitions to Long-Term Residential Care Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 223-223
Author(s):  
Bram de Boer ◽  
Hilde Verbeek ◽  
Joseph Gaugler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Care Transitions ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Residential Care Facility ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract During their life course, many older adults encounter a transition between care settings, for example, a permanent move into long-term residential care. This care transition is a complex and often fragmented process, which is associated with an increased risk of negative health outcomes, rehospitalisation, and even mortality. Therefore, care transitions should be avoided where possible and the process for necessary transitions should be optimised to ensure continuity of care. Transitional care is therefore a key research topic. The TRANS-SENIOR European Joint Doctorate (EJD) network builds capacity for tackling a major challenge facing European long-term care systems: the need to improve care for an increasing number of care-dependent older adults by avoiding unnecessary transitions and optimising necessary care transitions. During this symposium, four presenters from the Netherlands and Switzerland will present different aspects of transitions into long-term residential care. The first speaker presents the results of a co-creation approach in developing an intervention aimed at preventing unnecessary care transitions. The second speaker presents an overview of interventions aiming to improve a transition from home to a nursing home, highlighting the clear mismatch between theory and practice. The third speaker presents the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transitions into long-term residential care using an ethnographic study in a long-term residential care facility in Switzerland. The final speaker discusses the results of a recent Delphi study on key factors influencing implementing innovations in transitional care. The discussant will relate previous findings on transitional care with a U.S. perspective.

scholarly journals Determinants of utilisation of traditional birth attendant services by pregnant women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Awotunde O. T. ◽  
Awotunde T. A. ◽  
Fehintola F. O. ◽  
Adesina Adesina S. A. ◽  
Oladeji O. A. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Traditional Birth Attendant ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Care ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
The Impact

Background: This study was designed to assess the determinants of utilization of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) services by pregnant women in different communities in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.Methods: This was a community- based cross-sectional study. Fisher's formula was used to calculate the sample size and a total of 270 eligible pregnant women were enrolled for the study using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and results were presented in frequencies and percentages.Results: Factors found to have a significant influence on the utilization of TBA services in this study include: low educational status (p <0.001), lower socioeconomic status (p <0.001), and compassionate care given by the TBAs (p=0.004). Other factors include service proximity and lower cost of TBA services.Conclusions: The impact of TBAs and their services cannot be overemphasized in the present state of maternal and child health in Nigeria.  Lower educational status among others has been found to be a strong predictor of utilization of TBA services. There is, therefore, the need to improve the educational and socioeconomic status of women in order to allow them to access quality health care services that will safeguard their well-being. Inculcating compassionate care into orthodox healthcare delivery will go a long way to improve patronage and discourage TBA utilization.

scholarly journals The Impact of Microorganisms in Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-38
Author(s):  
Nastaran Ghandali ◽  
Hoda Sabati ◽  
Ali Emami ◽  
Masumeh Dadashaliha
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Recent Outbreak ◽  
Immune Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

The pregnancy process involves many physiological changes, including weight gain, hormonal, metabolic and immune changes. One of the effective factors in this process is infection caused by microorganisms. Originally, before the advent of antibiotics, pregnancy was known as a risk factor for severe complications of pneumococcal pneumonia. Among viral infections, the 2009 flu pandemic issued a newer warning that some infections may disproportionately affect pregnant women and cause miscarriage and its complications during pregnancy. Generalization of pregnancy as a condition of suppression of the general immune system or increased risk is misleading and prevents the establishment of adequate guidelines for the treatment of pregnant women during epidemics. Viral infection has also become an important factor in pregnancy conditions. The recent outbreak of Ebola and other viral outbreaks and epidemics shows how pregnant women show worse outcomes (such as preterm delivery and fetal adverse outcomes) than the general population and non-pregnant women. The purpose of this article is studying pathogenesis of microorganisms and the risks which pose to the mother and the fetus. In order to investigate these factors, from 120 article prepared from google scholar and Pub med, Elsevier database. Knowing these factors can increase the ability to treat the infections in a timely manner and prevent their effects on the fetus and the patient.

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