scholarly journals COVID-19 Has Long Term Effects on Chemosensory Functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bussiere ◽  
Jie Mei ◽  
Cindy Levesque-Boissonneault ◽  
Mathieu Blais ◽  
Sara Carazo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Chemosensory Perception ◽  
Care Worker

Importance: A number of studies have revealed either self-reported chemosensory alterations in large groups or objective quantified chemosensory impairments in smaller populations of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. However, due to the great variability in published results regarding COVID-19-induced chemosensory impairments and their follow-up, prognosis for chemosensory functions in patients with such complaints remains unclear. Objective: To describe the various chemosensory alterations associated with COVID-19 and their prevalence and evolution at 3 to 7 months after infection. Design, Setting, and Participants: A follow-up study of 704 health care workers with a RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between 28/2/2020 and 14/6/2020 was conducted 3 to 7 months after onset of symptoms. Data were collected with an online questionnaire. Participant had to be ≥18 years old without respiratory illness in the 2 weeks prior to questionnaire completion. Main outcomes and measures: Outcomes included differences in reported chemosensory self-assessment of olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal functions across time points and Chemosensory Perception Test scores from an easy-to-use at-home self-administered chemosensory test. Results: Among the 704 health care worker participants, 593 (84.2%) were women, the mean (SD) age was 42 (12) years and the questionnaire was answered on average 4.8 (0.8) months after COVID-19. During COVID-19, a decrease in olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal sensitivities were reported by 81.3%, 81.5% and 48.0% respectively. Three to seven months later, reduced sensitivity was still reported by 52.0%, 41.9% and 23.3% respectively. Chemosensory Perception Test scores indicate that 19.5% of participants had objective olfactory impairment. Conclusions and relevance: A significant proportion of COVID-19 cases have persistent chemosensory impairments at 3 to 7 months after their infection but the majority of those who had completely lost their olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal sensitivity have improved. Given the possible neurological underpinnings of this observation and the important number of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, further longitudinal studies are needed to better characterize this phenotype and to report eventual post-COVID-19 neurological sequelae.

scholarly journals Assessment of Follow-Up Care Received by Patients with Hypertension at Primary Health Care Facilities in Tshwane District of Gauteng Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Manyelo ◽  
Debbie Habedi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Data Coding ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

To extend the life expectancy of all South Africans to at least 70 years by 2030, hypertension follow-up care needs to be strengthened so that patients do not develop complications while in care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the follow-up care received by patients with hypertension at primary health care (PHC) facilities in Tshwane district. The study setting was ten PHC facilities in the aforesaid district. Quantitative, descriptive and retrospective methods were adopted, and simple random sampling was used to select ten PHC facilities from which ten files were conveniently sampled. Data were captured in Microsoft Excel 2010 and exported to IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21 in which data coding, outlier detection, missing value analysis and statistical data analysis were performed. In line with the study aim, frequency tables in SPSS were used to produce frequency statistics, and the chi-square test was used to test for the presence of association between compliance by nurses to clinical guidelines and categories of attributes, and further determine if there was a significant difference between adherence and non-adherence. The study found a significant proportion (93.4%) of non-adherence to hypertension guidelines among consulting nurses at selected PHC facilities.

scholarly journals Prospective Observational Study of Screening Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers for SARS-CoV-2 at a Canadian Tertiary Care Center

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepali Kumar ◽  
Victor H Ferreira ◽  
Andrzej Chruscinski ◽  
Vathany Kulasingam ◽  
Trevor J Pugh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Protein Microarray ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Protein Microarray Analysis ◽  
Care Worker

We screened three separate cohorts of healthcare workers for SARS-CoV-2 via nasopharyngeal swab PCR. A seroprevalence analysis using multiple assays was performed in a subgroup. The asymptomatic health care worker cohorts had a combined positivity rate of 29/5776 (0.50%, 95%CI 0.32-0.75) compared to the symptomatic cohort rate of 54/1597 (3.4%) (ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic 6.8:1). Sequencing demonstrated several variants. The seroprevalence (n=996) was 1.4-3.4% depending on assay. Protein microarray analysis showed differing SARS-CoV-2 protein reactivities and helped define likely true positives vs. suspected false positives. Routine screening of asymptomatic health care workers helps identify a significant proportion of infections.

scholarly journals Healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among healthcare workers: a multicenter longitudinal cohort study

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Szajek ◽  
Felix Fleisch ◽  
Sandra Hutter ◽  
Martin Risch ◽  
Theresa Bechmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Seroconversion Rate ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Pandemic Wave

Abstract Background Health care workers (HCW) are heavily exposed to SARS-CoV-2 from the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to analyze risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion among HCW with a special emphasis on the respective healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks. Methods We recruited HCW from 13 health care institutions (HCI) with different mask policies (type IIR surgical face masks vs. FFP-2 masks) in Southeastern Switzerland (canton of Grisons). Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 6 months apart, after the first and during the second pandemic wave using an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, Roche Diagnostics). We captured risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection by using an online questionnaire at both time points. The effects of individual COVID-19 exposure, regional incidence and FFP-2 mask policy on the probability of seroconversion were evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 99 of 2794 (3.5%) HCW at baseline and in 376 of 2315 (16.2%) participants 6 months later. In multivariable analyses the strongest association for seroconversion was exposure to a household member with known COVID-19 (aOR: 19.82, 95% CI 8.11–48.43, p < 0.001 at baseline and aOR: 8.68, 95% CI 6.13–12.29, p < 0.001 at follow-up). Significant occupational risk factors at baseline included exposure to COVID-19 patients (aOR: 2.79, 95% CI 1.28–6.09, p = 0.010) and to SARS-CoV-2 infected co-workers (aOR: 2.50, 95% CI 1.52–4.12, p < 0.001). At follow up 6 months later, non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals (aOR: 2.54, 95% CI 1.66–3.89 p < 0.001) and the local COVID-19 incidence of the corresponding HCI (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI 1.30–3.02, p = 0.001) were associated with seroconversion. The healthcare institutions’ mask policy (surgical masks during usual exposure vs. general use of FFP-2 masks) did not affect seroconversion rates of HCW during the first and the second pandemic wave. Conclusion Contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected household members was the most important risk factor for seroconversion among HCW. The strongest occupational risk factor was exposure to COVID-19 patients. During this pandemic, with heavy non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the mask policy of HCIs did not affect the seroconversion rate of HCWs.

scholarly journals Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine among medical students: a cross-sectional analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 831
Author(s):  
Leela G. R. ◽  
Pandurangaiah R. ◽  
Rajamma C. K.
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Care Worker

Background: After the announcement of vaccine in India for health care worker, medical students is one among them, they are exposed to the COVID-19 patients. Vaccination plays crucial role in controlling the pandemic, study to know the acceptability of vaccine.Methods: Total of 1030 medical students are enrolled in the prospective cross-section study done in Kerala. Online Questionnaire was filled between 1st January 2020 to 28th February 2021 and data collected and analysed.Results: Out of 1030 students we found that high rate of acceptability, 710 (67%) of students willingness to take vaccine if eligible. Females (73%) are more willing to accept vaccine then male (65%), students as good knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19.Conclusions: As these students are come in health care worker we need to cover 100% vaccination in them this will be the direct impact on the general population. Increase awareness of medical college students about current available vaccine to reduce hesitancy.

scholarly journals Persisting Chemosensory Impairments in 366 Healthcare Workers Following COVID-19: An 11-Month Follow-up.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bussiere ◽  
Jie Mei ◽  
Cindy Levesque-Boissonneault ◽  
Mathieu Blais ◽  
Sara Carazo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Chemosensory Perception ◽  
And Function ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
High Test

Background and Objectives: Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OD, GD) are prevalent symptoms following COVID-19 and persist in 6%-44% of individuals in the first months after the infection. As only few reports have described their prognosis more than 6 months later, the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of OD and GD 11 months after COVID-19. We also aimed to determine test-retest reliability of subjective chemosensory ratings for the follow-up of chemosensory sensitivity, as this measure is often used for remote follow-up. Methods: Inclusion criteria included a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; exclusion criteria were the presence of other respiratory infections and chronic sinusitis. To assess whether OD and GD had changed compared to pre-pandemic levels, we designed an observational study and distributed an online questionnaire assessing quantitative chemosensory function to healthcare workers 5 and 11 months after COVID-19. Specifically, we assessed olfaction, gustation, and trigeminal sensitivity (10-point visual analog scale) and function (4-point Likert scale) separately. We further assessed clinically relevant OD using the Chemosensory Perception Test, a psychophysical test designed to provide a reliable remote olfactory evaluation. Qualitative chemosensory dysfunction was also assessed. Results: We included a total of 366 participants (mean age of 44.8 years old (SD: 11.7)). They completed the last online questionnaire 10.6 months (SD: 0.7) after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Of all participants, 307 (83.9%) and 301 (82.2%) individuals retrospectively reported lower olfactory or gustatory sensitivity during the acute phase of COVID-19. Eleven months later, 184 (50.3%) and 163 (44.5%) indicated reduced chemosensory sensitivity, 32.2% reported impairment of olfactory function while 24.9% exhibited clinically relevant OD. Three variables predicted OD at follow-up, namely chest pain and GD during COVID-19 and presence of phantosmia at 5 months. Olfactory sensitivity ratings had a high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.818 (95% CI: 0.760 - 0.860)) Discussion: This study suggests that chemosensory dysfunctions persist in a third of COVID-19 patients 11 months after COVID-19. Subjective measures have a high test-retest reliability and thus can be used to monitor post-COVID-19 OD. OD appears to be a common long-term symptom of COVID-19 important to consider when treating patients.

scholarly journals Healthcare Institutions’ Recommendation Regarding the Use of FFP-2 Masks and SARS-Cov-2 Seropositivity Among Healthcare Workers – A Multicenter Longitudinal Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Szajek ◽  
Felix Fleisch ◽  
Sandra Hutter ◽  
Martin Risch ◽  
Theresa Bechmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Seroconversion Rate ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Pandemic Wave

Abstract BackgroundHealth care workers (HCW) are heavily exposed to SARS-CoV-2 from the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to analyze risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion among HCW with a special emphasis on the respective healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks. MethodsWe recruited HCW from 13 health care institutions (HCI) with different mask policies (type IIR surgical face masks vs. FFP-2 masks) in Southeastern Switzerland (canton of Grisons). Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies six months apart, after the first and during the second pandemic wave using an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, Roche Diagnostics). We captured risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection by using an online questionnaire at both time points. The effects of individual COVID-19 exposure, regional incidence and FFP-2 mask policy on the probability of seroconversion were evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 99 of 2794 (3.5%) HCW at baseline and in 376 of 2315 (16.2%) participants six months later. In multivariable analyses the strongest association for seroconversion was exposure to a household member with known COVID-19 (aOR: 19.82, 95% CI: 8.11-48.43, p<0.001 at baseline and aOR: 8.68, 95% CI: 6.13-12.29, p<0.001 at follow-up). Significant occupational risk factors at baseline included exposure to COVID-19 patients (aOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.28-6.09, p=0.010) and to SARS-CoV-2 infected co-workers (aOR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.52-4.12, p<0.001). At follow up six months later, non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals (aOR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.66-3.89 p<0.001) and the local COVID-19 incidence of the corresponding HCI (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.30-3.02, p=0.001) were associated with seroconversion. The healthcare institutions’ mask policy (surgical masks vs. FFP-2 masks) did not affect seroconversion rates of HCW during the first and the second pandemic wave. ConclusionContact with SARS-CoV-2 infected household members was the most important risk factor for seroconversion among HCW. The strongest occupational risk factor was exposure to COVID-19 patients. During this pandemic, with heavy non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the mask policy of HCIs did not affect the seroconversion rate of HCWs.

scholarly journals Prospective observational study and serosurvey of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic healthcare workers at a Canadian tertiary care center

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247258
Author(s):  
Victor H. Ferreira ◽  
Andrzej Chruscinski ◽  
Vathany Kulasingam ◽  
Trevor J. Pugh ◽  
Tamara Dus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Protein Microarray ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Care Worker

Health care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and may play a role in transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients and members of the community. This is particularly worrisome in the context of asymptomatic infection. We performed a cross-sectional study looking at asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs. We screened asymptomatic HCWs for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR. Complementary viral genome sequencing was performed on positive swab specimens. A seroprevalence analysis was also performed using multiple assays. Asymptomatic health care worker cohorts had a combined swab positivity rate of 29/5776 (0.50%, 95%CI 0.32–0.75) relative to a comparative cohort of symptomatic HCWs, where 54/1597 (3.4%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic 6.8:1). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among 996 asymptomatic HCWs with no prior known exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was 1.4–3.4%, depending on assay. A novel in-house Coronavirus protein microarray showed differing SARS-CoV-2 protein reactivities and helped define likely true positives vs. suspected false positives. Our study demonstrates the utility of routine screening of asymptomatic HCWs, which may help to identify a significant proportion of infections.

Referral of patients with diabetic foot ulcers in four European countries: patient follow-up after first GP visit

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (Sup8) ◽  
pp. S4-S14
Author(s):  
Juan Pedro Sánchez-Ríos ◽  
JL García-Klepzig ◽  
Chris Manu ◽  
Raju Ahluwalia ◽  
Claas Lüdemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Foot Ulcer ◽  
Diabetic Foot Ulcer ◽  
Suboptimal Control ◽  
Foot Care ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Uk

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the characteristics of patients, including demographics, medical history and treatment, with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) during their first follow-up visit to a general practitioner (GP). Methods: A two-part quantitative online questionnaire was distributed among GPs in France, UK, Germany and Spain. Part one entailed a survey of GPs' perceptions of referrals for DFU. Part two collected data on recently managed DFU cases. The percentage of responses was compared for each question and across the four countries for significant differences. Results: In part one of the study, 600 questionnaires were collected (150 per country) and 1188 patients managed for a DFU were included in the second part. About 88% of patients had type 2 diabetes, with a significant proportion of suboptimal control (average HbA1c: 10.64mmol/l). A patient complaint led to diagnosis in 60% of the cases. Wounds were found to be more frequently located in the toes and midfoot, and were superficial (according to the Texas Wound Classification system) in 80% of the cases. More than two-thirds of patients developed small wounds (<5cm2); more than half of them had infected wounds. Approximately 50% of wounds were ischaemic, which triggered the onset of a DFU. Follow-up wound examinations before and after hospitalisation were performed by nurses, except in Germany where GPs undertook this role, including prescribing offloading devices and in the UK where follow-up was managed by podiatrists. Ischaemia, wound necrosis, suspected osteomyelitis and absence of wound healing were the primary reasons for hospital admission during the first month after diagnosis. Conclusion: Delay in specialised foot care is a recurring topic in the treatment of DFUs, even with different health-care structures across Europe. Knowledge and education on DFUs should be reinforced among GPs and nurses to establish a global DFU care network between primary and specialised care, avoid hospitalisation and adequately manage high-risk patients.

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