scholarly journals Factors influencing COVID-19 Infection in older individuals: History of Alcohol Use Disorder, Major Depressive illness, genetic variation and current use of alcohol

Author(s):  
Shirley Y. Hill ◽  
Brian J. Holmes ◽  
Jeannette Locke-Wellman

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a major public health problem. Vulnerable populations include older individuals with presumed weakening of the immune response. Identification of factors influencing COVID-19 infection could provide an additional means for protecting such individuals.MethodsMembers of a family study previously interviewed as middle aged individuals were re-contacted and asked to participate in extended phone interview (2-3 hours) covering past and current mental health issues, physical health diagnoses, use of alcohol and drugs, and exposure to anyone with COVID-19. The average follow-up period was 32 years. Detailed medication use was collected to confirm medical diagnoses and to reveal possible protective effects of particular drug classes currently prescribed for the participant by their physician. Serology was available for red cell antigens (ABO, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, Rhesus) and HLA subtypes. Analyses were conducted to contrast COVID-19 + and COVID-19 - individuals for physical and mental health diagnoses, use of alcohol and drugs, and red cell and HLA serology. Additionally, analyses were conducted to contrast these groups with a group reporting known exposure but absence of COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis by a health professional.ResultsInterviews were completed between September 2020 and November 2021. A total of 42 of the 90 individuals interviewed had been vaccinated at the time of interview. At the time of interview, 11.1% reported having developed COVID-19.Using quantity per occasion (QPO) and quantity by frequency (QXF) totals in the past month by type of alcohol consumed, we found a significant association between QPO for liquor (p=0.017) and marginal effects for QXF for liquor consumption (p=0.06). Exposed individuals who were COVID-19 negative tended to drink more liquor than those who were positive, an average of about one drink per day. Beer and wine consumption were not statistically significant. A diagnosis of alcohol use disorder at baseline evaluation was not a significant predictor of being COVID positive or negative.Self-reported current depression or depression in the past only was not a predictor of COVID-19 status based on a single question “Are you depressed currently or only in the past?”. In contrast, completion of a clinical interview designed to elicit depressed mood and concurrent symptoms for determination of the lifetime presence or absence of a depressive episode did reveal a significant effect. Comparison of responses at baseline to follow-up showed those most resilient to developing COVID-19 were those without evidence of a depressive episode by lifetime history at both points in time.Physical health issues were analyzed for those that were frequently occurring in our sample such as hypertension but not found to be significant. BMI was analyzed and found to be statistically non-significant.Analysis of HLA variation across the whole sample did not reveal a significant association but among males two variants, A1 and B8, did show significant variation associated with COVID-19+ and COVID-19-status. Analyses of the red cell antigens revealed one significant red cell effect; Kidd genotypic variation was associated with COVID-19 status.InterpretationWe tentatively conclude that use of specific types of alcohol, namely liquor, is associated with reduced frequency of COVID-19. However, the amount is low, averaging about 1 drink per day. Enlarged samples are needed to confirm these results. The finding that past history of alcohol use disorder does not increase likelihood of developing COVID-19 is important. It should be noted that the 34 individuals diagnosed with AUD at baseline had survived an average of 32 years in order to participate in the current interview suggesting they may be especially resilient to adverse health conditions. The finding that a single question designed to elicit the presence or absence of depressed mood either currently or in the past was not a risk factor for COVID-19 in contrast to report of a clinically significant past history of a depressive episode based on more extensive examination using DSM criteria is important. Results for the KIDD blood group are novel and warrant further investigation.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Alemu ◽  
Elias Tesfaye ◽  
Matiwos Soboka ◽  
Yonas Tesfaye ◽  
Gutema Ahmed

Abstract Background : Alcohol use among University students is a problem throughout the world. University students are mostly at risk of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol use among students has an association with risky sexual behaviors and mental distress. However; little is known about alcohol use disorders among university students in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use disorder among Jimma University undergraduate students. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was done among Jimma university students in April 2016. Data were collected from 796 of Jimma University students. Standardized tools, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Oslo 3 items social support scale (OSS-3) and Kessler-6 (K6), were used to assess alcohol use disorders, social support and psychological distress respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to explore factors associated with alcohol use disorders. Result: The overall prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) among Jimma University undergraduate students was 26.5%.The prevalence of AUDs among females and males was 16.4% and 32.6% respectively. There was a positive association between AUDs and having past history of mental illness (AOR 1.98, 95% CI=1.04, 3.75), having past history of suicidal attempt (AOR 3.63, 95%CI=1.18, 11.11), smoking cigarettes (AOR 5.04, 95%CI=2.02, 12.57), having close friend who drinks alcohol (AOR 2.72, 95%CI=1.76, 4.19) and presence of mental distress (AOR 2.81, 95%CI=1.83, 4.32). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among Jimma University undergraduate students was high. This implies that the university should establish Anti-alcohol clubs to increase students’ awareness on alcohol and related substances and their harmful outcomes. Keywords: Alcohol use disorders, mental distress, undergraduate students, Ethiopia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 107955
Author(s):  
Alexander S. Weigard ◽  
Jillian E. Hardee ◽  
Robert A. Zucker ◽  
Mary M. Heitzeg ◽  
Adriene M. Beltz

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 463-486
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Mackelprang ◽  
Seema L. Clifasefi ◽  
Véronique S. Grazioli ◽  
Susan E. Collins

Author(s):  
Demeke Demilew ◽  
Berhanu Boru ◽  
Getachew Tesfaw ◽  
Habtamu Kerebih ◽  
Endalamaw Salelew

Abstract Background Alcohol use disorder increase the risk of physical harm, mental or social consequences for patients and others in the community. Studies on alcohol use disorder and associated factors among medical and surgical outpatients in Ethiopia are limited. Therefore, this study is meant to provide essential data on alcohol use disorder and associated factors among alcohol user medical and surgical outpatients to intervene in the future. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using the systematic random sampling technique. Alcohol use disorders were assessed using the World Health Organization’s 10-item Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, a P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant in the multivariate analysis and the strength of association was measured at a 95% confidence interval. Results The prevalence of alcohol use disorder was 34.5% with a 95% CI (29.20, 39.80) among study participants. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex (AOR = 3.33, 95%CI: 1.40, 7.93), history of mental illness (AOR = 2.68, 95%CI: 1.12, 6.38), drinking for relaxation (AOR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.48) and history of lifetime tobacco use (AOR = 5.64, 95%CI: 1.95, 16.29) were factors significantly associated with alcohol use disorder. Conclusion The prevalence of alcohol use disorders among medical and surgical outpatients was found to be high. Male sex, history of mental illness, alcohol use for relaxation and lifetime cigarette smoking need more attention during the assessment of patients in the medical and surgical outpatient departments.


1877 ◽  
Vol 25 (171-178) ◽  

George Poulett Scrope. It is scarcely possible at the present day to realize the conditions of that intellectual “reign of terror” which prevailed at the commencement of the present century, as the consequence of the unreasoning prejudice and wild alarm excited by the early progress of geological inquiry. At that period, every attempt to explain the past history of the earth by a reference to the causes still in operation upon it was met, not by argument, but by charges of atheism against its propounder; and thus Hutton’s masterly fragment of a ‘Theory of the Earth,’ Playfair’s persuasive‘ Illustrations,’ and Hall’s records of accurate observation and ingenious experiment had come to be inscribed m a social Index Expurgatorius ,and for a while, indeed, might have seemed to be consigned to total oblivion. Equally injurious suspicions were aroused against the geologist who dared to make allusion to the important part which igneous forces have undoubtedly played in the formation of certain rocks; for the authority of Werner had acquired an almost sacred cha­racter; and “ Vulcanists ” and “ Huttonians ” were equally objects of aversion and contempt. To two men who have very recently—and within a few months of one another—passed away from our midst, science is indebted for boldly en­countering and successfully overcoming this storm of prejudice. Hutton and his friends lived a generation too soon ; and thus it was reserved tor Lyell and Scrope to carry out the task which the great Scotch philosopher had failed to accomplish, namely, the removal of geology from the domain of speculation to that of inductive science.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16095-e16095
Author(s):  
Anbarasan Sekar ◽  
Akhil Rajendra ◽  
Vanita Noronha ◽  
Smruti Mokal ◽  
Vijay Maruti Patil ◽  
...  

e16095 Background: There has been a definite histopathological shift in esophageal cancer in the West over the past few decades, with adenocarcinoma overtaking squamous cell carcinoma as the commonest type. Asian countries with a high human development index like China have also reported an increased incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Data on the epidemiology of esophageal cancer in India are limited. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of all patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital, from 2003 to 2018. We excluded non-squamous and non-adenocarcinoma histologies. Results: Of a total of 7,874 patients with esophageal cancer, 5,092 (64.7%) were men, for a male to female ratio of 2.5:1. The median age was 57 years (IQR, 50-65); 4,465 (56.7%) were below 60 years old. Of the 4912 patients in whom a history of tobacco or alcohol use had been elicited, there were 1,360 (27.7%) patients with no history of substance use. The site of the primary was the upper third in 906 (12.8%), middle third esophagus in 2,942 (41.5%), lower third in 2,331 (32.8%) and gastroesophageal junction in 917 (12.9%) patients. The predominant histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 6,413 (81.4%) patients and adenocarcinoma in 1461 (18.6%). There was no change in the histologic pattern over the period of the study; squamous cell carcinoma constituted 78.5% of the cases in 2003, and 85.5% in 2018; Chi square test for the year wise trend in histologic patterns was not significant, p=0.143. Evaluation of the histologic subtype according to sex revealed that in the male patients, there were 3890 (76.4%) squamous and 1202 (23.6%) adenocarcinoma cases, while in female patients, there were 2523 (90.7%) squamous and 259 (9.3%) adenocarcinoma cases. On a uni variate analysis, male sex (p<0.001), a history of tobacco or alcohol use (p<0.001), and the presence of comorbidity (p<0.007) were associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Multivariate analysis by logistic regression model revealed that female sex and use of tobacco or alcohol were positively associated with squamous cell carcinoma, while the presence of comorbities and primary in lower esophagus/GEJ were positively associated with adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma continues to be the commonest esophageal cancer histologic subtype in over 80% Indian patients. The mid esophagus is the most common site (42%). There is no evidence of an epidemiological shift or an increase in the occurrence of adenocarcinoma or of lower esophageal/GEJ malignancy over the past two decades.


Arsitektura ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Nurul Widowati ◽  
Winny Astuti ◽  
Murtanti Jani Rahayu

<div><p><em>Surakarta is a city that has the potential of the river. But in the process, these rivers suffered environmental degradation as a function instead of the banks into slums and squatter, and functions of rivers that serve as places of waste disposal. Government’s city of Surakarta has done various setup area of the river. One of the targeted structuring Pepe-River is often known by the name Kali Pepe. Kali Pepe is the river which has the most strategic location because it divides the centre of city and the river has a past history of Surakarta. Kali Pepe is the witness of history where culture and trade activities in the rapidly growing city of Surakarta in the past with the ecological function and physical function as transportation trade.Setuping Kali Pepe, according to the Mayor of Surakarta, is directed to serve as recreation/tourism area. Since the Surakarta Mayor initiated the year 2015 that Kali Pepe as a tourist area. The initiated moves the government and society in order to more actively participate in developing the area into a tourist area. This research would like to know how the readiness level of the Kali Pepe area to be developed as a tourist area-based streams. The components of preparedness were seen from aspect of attractions or natural tourist attraction, artificial attractions, acessesiblity, institutional, infrastructure supporting tourism, and the behavior of the flooding of the river. This research is quantitative research in methods of scoring analysis. The result of this research has shown that Kali Pepe less readiness to be developed as a tourist area-based stream. Aspects of accessibility and infrastructure supporting tourism were an aspect which has a readiness. But for this aspect of the attraction, institutional and river flooding behavior is still in the stage of less readiness.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Keywords:</em></strong><em> readiness, tourist areas, river tours</em></p></div>


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