scholarly journals COVID-19 Related Chemosensory Changes in Individuals with Self-Reported Obesity

Author(s):  
Surabhi Bhutani ◽  
Géraldine Coppin ◽  
Maria Geraldine Veldhuizen ◽  
Valentina Parma ◽  
Paule Valery Joseph

AbstractBackground/objectivesIndividuals with obesity show alterations in smell and taste abilities. Smell and taste loss are also the most prominent neurological symptoms of COVID-19, yet how chemosensory ability present in individuals with obesity with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is unknown.Subjects/MethodsIn this secondary analysis of a cross-sectional global dataset, we compared self-reported chemosensory ability in participants with a respiratory illness reporting a positive (C19+; n = 5156) or a negative (C19−; n = 659) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome, who also self-reported to be obese (C19+; n = 433, C19−; n = 86) or non-obese.ResultsCompared to the C19− group, C19+ exhibited a greater decline in smell, taste, and chemesthesis during illness, though these symptoms did not differ between participants with obesity and without obesity. In 68% of participants who reported recovery from respiratory illness symptoms (n=3431 C19+ and n= 539 C19−), post-recovery chemosensory perception did not differ in C19+ and C19− diagnosis, and by self-reported obesity. Finally, we found that all chemosensory and other symptoms combined predicted the C19+ diagnosis in participants with obesity with a moderately good estimate (63% accuracy). However, in C19+ participants with obesity, we observed a greater relative prevalence of non-chemosensory symptoms, including respiratory as respiratory and GI symptoms.ConclusionsWe conclude that despite a presumed lower sensitivity to chemosensory stimuli, COVID-19 respondents with obesity experience a similar self-reported chemosensory loss as those without obesity, and in both groups self-reported chemosensory symptoms are similarly predictive of COVID-19.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C Gerkin ◽  
Kathrin Ohla ◽  
Maria G Veldhuizen ◽  
Paule V Joseph ◽  
Christine E Kelly ◽  
...  

Abstract In a preregistered, cross-sectional study we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n=4148) or negative (C19-; n=546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean±SD, C19+: -82.5±27.2 points; C19-: -59.8±37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC=0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4<OR<10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103782
Author(s):  
Martin Schwellnus ◽  
Nicola Sewry ◽  
Carolette Snyders ◽  
Kelly Kaulback ◽  
Paola Silvia Wood ◽  
...  

BackgroundThere are no data relating symptoms of an acute respiratory illness (ARI) in general, and COVID-19 specifically, to return to play (RTP).ObjectiveTo determine if ARI symptoms are associated with more prolonged RTP, and if days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) differ in athletes with COVID-19 versus athletes with other ARI.DesignCross-sectional descriptive study.SettingOnline survey.ParticipantsAthletes with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 (ARICOV) (n=45) and athletes with other ARI (ARIOTH) (n=39).MethodsParticipants recorded days to RTP and completed an online survey detailing ARI symptoms (number, type, severity and duration) in three categories: ‘nose and throat’, ‘chest and neck’ and ‘whole body’. We report the association between symptoms and RTP (% chance over 40 days) and compare the days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) in ARICOV versus ARIOTH subgroups.ResultsThe symptom cluster associated with more prolonged RTP (lower chance over 40 days; %) (univariate analysis) was ‘excessive fatigue’ (75%; p<0.0001), ‘chills’ (65%; p=0.004), ‘fever’ (64%; p=0.004), ‘headache’ (56%; p=0.006), ‘altered/loss sense of smell’ (51%; p=0.009), ‘Chest pain/pressure’ (48%; p=0.033), ‘difficulty in breathing’ (48%; p=0.022) and ‘loss of appetite’ (47%; p=0.022). ‘Excessive fatigue’ remained associated with prolonged RTP (p=0.0002) in a multiple model. Compared with ARIOTH, the ARICOV subgroup had more severe disease (greater number, more severe symptoms) and more days to RTP (p=0.0043).ConclusionSymptom clusters may be used by sport and exercise physicians to assist decision making for RTP in athletes with ARI (including COVID-19).


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Durnea ◽  
S. Siddiqi ◽  
D. Nazarian ◽  
G. Munneke ◽  
P. M. Sedgwick ◽  
...  

AbstractThe feasibility of rendering three dimensional (3D) pelvic models of vaginal, urethral and paraurethral lesions from 2D MRI has been demonstrated previously. To quantitatively compare 3D models using two different image processing applications: 3D Slicer and OsiriX. Secondary analysis and processing of five MRI scan based image sets from female patients aged 29–43 years old with vaginal or paraurethral lesions. Cross sectional image sets were used to create 3D models of the pelvic structures with 3D Slicer and OsiriX image processing applications. The linear dimensions of the models created using the two different methods were compared using Bland-Altman plots. The comparisons demonstrated good agreement between measurements from the two applications. The two data sets obtained from different image processing methods demonstrated good agreement. Both 3D Slicer and OsiriX can be used interchangeably and produce almost similar results. The clinical role of this investigation modality remains to be further evaluated.


Author(s):  
Eric Emerson ◽  
Allison Milner ◽  
Zoe Aitken ◽  
Lauren Krnjacki ◽  
Cathy Vaughan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Exposure to discrimination can have a negative impact on health. There is little robust evidence on the prevalence of exposure of people with disabilities to discrimination, the sources and nature of discrimination they face, and the personal and contextual factors associated with increased risk of exposure. Methods Secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from the three waves of the UK’s ‘Life Opportunities Survey’. Results In the UK (i) adults with disabilities were over three times more likely than their peers to be exposed to discrimination, (ii) the two most common sources of discrimination were strangers in the street and health staff and (iii) discrimination was more likely to be reported by participants who were younger, more highly educated, who were unemployed or economically inactive, who reported financial stress or material hardship and who had impairments associated with hearing, memory/speaking, dexterity, behavioural/mental health, intellectual/learning difficulties and breathing. Conclusions Discrimination faced by people with disabilities is an under-recognised public health problem that is likely to contribute to disability-based health inequities. Public health policy, research and practice needs to concentrate efforts on developing programs that reduce discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Resham B. Khatri ◽  
Yibeltal Alemu ◽  
Melinda M. Protani ◽  
Rajendra Karkee ◽  
Jo Durham

Abstract Background Persistent inequities in coverage of maternal and newborn health (MNH) services continue to pose a major challenge to the health-care system in Nepal. This paper uses a novel composite indicator of intersectional (dis) advantages to examine how different (in) equity markers intersect to create (in) equities in contact coverage of MNH services across the continuum of care (CoC) in Nepal. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted among 1978 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the two years preceding the survey. Data were derived from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016. The three outcome variables included were 1) at least four antenatal care (4ANC) visits, 2) institutional delivery, and 3) postnatal care (PNC) consult for newborns and mothers within 48 h of childbirth. Independent variables were wealth status, education, ethnicity, languages, residence, and marginalisation status. Intersectional (dis) advantages were created using three socioeconomic variables (wealth status, level of education and ethnicity of women). Binomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the patterns of (in) equities in contact coverage of MNH services across the CoC. Results The contact coverage of 4ANC visits, institutional delivery, and PNC visit was 72, 64, and 51% respectively. Relative to women with triple disadvantage, the odds of contact coverage of 4ANC visits was more than five-fold higher (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 5.51; 95% CI: 2.85, 10.64) among women with triple forms of advantages (literate and advantaged ethnicity and higher wealth status). Women with triple advantages were seven-fold more likely to give birth in a health institution (aOR = 7.32; 95% CI: 3.66, 14.63). They were also four times more likely (aOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.40, 7.28) to receive PNC visit compared to their triple disadvantaged counterparts. Conclusions The contact coverage of routine MNH visits was low among women with social disadvantages and lowest among women with multiple forms of socioeconomic disadvantages. Tracking health service coverage among women with multiple forms of (dis) advantage can provide crucial information for designing contextual and targeted approaches to actions towards universal coverage of MNH services and improving health equity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088506662110614
Author(s):  
Mohinder R. Vindhyal ◽  
Liuqiang (Kelsey) Lu ◽  
Sagar Ranka ◽  
Prakash Acharya ◽  
Zubair Shah ◽  
...  

Purpose: Septic shock (SS) manifests with profound circulatory and cellular metabolism abnormalities and has a high in-hospital mortality (25%-50%). Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have underlying circulatory dysfunction and compromised cardiac reserve that may place them at increased risk if they develop sepsis. Outcomes in patients with CHF who are admitted with SS have not been well studied. Materials and Method: Retrospective cross sectional secondary analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) for 2016 and 2017. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients with SS during hospitalization, and then the cohort was dichotomized into those with and without an underlying diagnosis of CHF. Results: Propensity match analyses were performed to evaluate in-hospital mortality and clinical cardiovascular outcomes in the 2 groups. Cardiogenic shock patients were excluded from the study. A total of 578,629 patients with hospitalization for SS were identified, of whom 19.1% had a coexisting diagnosis of CHF. After propensity matching, 81,699 individuals were included in the comparative groups of SS with CHF and SS with no CHF. In-hospital mortality (35.28% vs 32.50%, P < .001), incidence of ischemic stroke (2.71% vs 2.53%, P = .0032), and acute kidney injury (69.9% vs 63.9%, P = .001) were significantly higher in patients with SS and CHF when compared to those with SS and no CHF. Conclusions: This study identified CHF as a strong adverse prognosticator for inpatient mortality and several major adverse clinical outcomes. Study findings suggest the need for further investigation into these findings’ mechanisms to improve outcomes in patients with SS and underlying CHF.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatme Hoteit ◽  
Debbie Erhmann Feldman ◽  
Lisa C. Carlesso

Purpose: To explore factors associated with intermittent, constant, and mixed pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional multicenter study with adults ≥ 40 years with knee osteoarthritis. Participants completed questionnaires on personal (e.g., demographics, comorbidities), physical (e.g., physical function), psychological (e.g., depressive symptoms), pain (e.g., qualities), and tests for physical performance and nervous system sensitivity. We qualified patients’ pain as intermittent, constant, or mixed using the Modified painDETECT Questionnaire and assessed associations with the variables using multinomial logistic regression. Results: The 279 participants had an average age of 63.8 years (SD = 9.6), BMI of 31.5 kg/m2 (SD = 8.7), and 58.6% were female. Older age (odds ratio [OR] 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.00) and higher self-reported physical function ([OR] 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91, 0.98) were associated with a lower likelihood of mixed pain compared with intermittent pain. Higher pain intensity ([OR] 1.25; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.47) was related to a 25% higher likelihood of mixed pain compared with intermittent pain. Conclusions: This study provides initial data for associations of personal, pain, and physical function factors with different pain patterns. Awareness of these factors can help clinicians develop targeted strategies for managing patients’ pain.


Author(s):  
Alexis L Cairo ◽  
Anu M Räisänen ◽  
Isla Shill ◽  
Amanda M Black ◽  
CA Emery

The aim of this study was to investigate sport-related injury rates, types, locations, and mechanisms in female youth team sports.This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. An anonymous online survey was administered to high school students (ages 14-19) in Canada. The survey included questions regarding demographic information, sport participation and self-reported injuries sustained in the past year. Results were analyzed for girls who reported playing a top ten team sports for female participation. For girls participating in team sports, the overall injury rate was 55.5 injuries/100 participants/year. The rate of at least one concussion was 9.4 concussions/100 participants/year. Injury and concussion rates were highest in ringette (Injury rate=42.9 injuries/100 participants/year, Concussion rate=19.0 concussions/100 participants/year) and rugby (Injury rate=40.0, Concussion rate=15.3). The top three most serious injury locations were the knee (24.7%), ankle (21.6%) and head (16.1%). The most common injury types were joint/ligament sprain (26.71%), fracture (13.0%) and concussion (11.8%). Contact mechanisms accounted for 73.4% of all serious injuries reported in girls team sports.Team sport injury rates are high in female youth team sports. Specific consideration of sport-specific injury rates, types and mechanisms in girls’ team sports will inform development and evaluation of targeted sport-specific prevention strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. A13.1-A13
Author(s):  
Lujain Khoja ◽  
Abeer Khoja ◽  
Saeed Shabaan ◽  
Haythum Tayeb

ObjectivesTo explore the opinion of todays neurologist and psychiatrist in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. It is a replication for Dutch experience with Functional Neurological symptoms Disorder (FND).MethodsA multi-centres Cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia started from November 2019 and still ongoing. The target populations were a qualified psychiatrists or neurologists. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire.ResultsThere were 70 respondents, 37.1% were female and 62.9% males. A 15.5% were Neurologists and 72.4% psychiatrists. Three questionnaires were taken out due to incompletion error. Most neurologists and psychiatrists believed that FND is a disorder of functioning of the nervous system together with psychogenic factors. However, 100% of psychiatrist believed that a prior psychological stress is a cause of the disorder (among other causes) while 86.84% of neurologists. Also found that, a 71% of patients who referred to neurologist were evaluated initially by a general practitioner, while 85% of the patients who referred to psychiatrist; were evaluated by neurologists. Eventually, most of the neurologists and the psychiatrists diagnosed patients by conversion disorder (13/38 of neurologist and 13/20 of psychiatrists).ConclusionOur preliminary conclusion is comparable for Dutch experience that is not considered purely a psychiatric disorder and counted disordered brain functioning together with psychogenic factors responsible for FNS. However, the majority of the psychiatrists in our study diagnose FND as conversion disorder.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Law ◽  
daniele chirico ◽  
Tasuku Terada ◽  
Stephanie Prince Ware ◽  
jordan bernick ◽  
...  

Introduction: Previous research has shown that nurses are not meeting recommended moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) guidelines (≥150 minutes/week) for optimal cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Socio-ecological approaches have been used to explore the determinants of PA levels. We examined personal, social and environmental factors associated with the MVPA levels of Canadian nurses. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a multi-site cross-sectional study was undertaken. Nurses were recruited from 14 hospitals in Ontario, Canada. An accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X) was used to measure MVPA levels (minutes/day). Socio-ecological variables were derived from sociodemographic, anthropometric and cardiometabolic data, and questionnaires assessing determinants of PA (Table 1). Multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to explore associations between socio-ecological variables and MVPA levels while accounting for hospital sites. Variables were selected for multivariate analyses if they were significant ( p <0.05) in univariate analyses. Results: A total of 257 nurses (42±12 years) had complete accelerometer (≥10 hours of wear time for ≥4 days) and questionnaire data. Of these nurses, 54% were overweight/obese and 6% were smokers. Multivariate analyses showed positive associations between MVPA levels and high perceived capability to exercise despite common barriers (e.g. poor weather; β=0.13, p =0.02) and feeling connected to their exercise peers (β=1.34, p =0.01). Greater shiftwork associated daytime sleepiness and/or insomnia were inversely associated with MVPA levels (β=-4.87, p <0.01). Conclusion: Future endeavors to accentuate nurses’ PA levels should address modifiable socio-ecological variables such as encouraging exercise despite common barriers, and with peers to whom they feel connected. Nurses should consider increasing time spent engaging in MVPA to minimize the negative effects of shiftwork.


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