scholarly journals Comparative Study of Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19 in 2 Geographically Distinct Regions

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110001
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Lee ◽  
Daniella Daliyot ◽  
Ri Wang ◽  
Joel Lockwood ◽  
Paul Das ◽  
...  

Objective: To directly compare the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction (smell and taste) in geographically distinct regions with the same questionnaires. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the self-reported symptoms among adults (older than 18 years) who underwent COVID-19 testing at an ambulatory assessment center in Canada and at a hospital in Israel between March 16, 2020, and August 19, 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of self-reported chemosensory dysfunction (anosmia/hypomsia and dysgeusia/ageusia). Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of chemosensory deficits among the outpatients. Results: We identified a total of 350 COVID-19–positive patients (138 Canadians and 212 Israelis). The overall prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction was 47.1%. There was a higher proportion of chemosensory deficits among Canadians compared to Israelis (66.7% vs 34.4%, P < .01). A subgroup analysis for outpatients (never hospitalized) still identified a higher prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction among Canadians compared to Israelis (68.2% vs 36.1%, P < 0.01). A majority of patients recovered their sense of smell after 4 weeks of symptom onset. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of chemosensory deficit in COVID-19 was found to be similar to previously published reports, the prevalence can vary significantly across different geographical regions. Therefore, it is important to obtain regionally specific data so that the symptom of anosmia/dysgeusia can be used as a guide for screening for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Lee ◽  
Joel Lockwood ◽  
Paul Das ◽  
Ri Wang ◽  
Eitan Grinspun ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo slow down the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is important to identify specific symptoms for effective screening. While anosmia/hyposmia and dysgeusia/ageusia have been identified as highly prevalent symptoms, there are wide geographic variations, necessitating the regional evaluation of the prevalence of the symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the self-reported symptoms among adults (over 18 years old) who underwent COVID-19 tests at an ambulatory assessment centre. We identified 1,345 patients (102 positive and 1,243 negative) who visited the assessment centre between March 16 and April 15, 2020. We randomly sampled negative patients in a 1:3 ratio. The primary outcome was the prevalence of self-reported anosmia/hyposmia and dysgeusia/ageusia. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between COVID-19 positivity and loss of smell and taste.ResultsFifty-six of 102 (50%) positive patients and 72 of 306 (23.5%) negative patients completed the survey. Anosmia/hyposmia and dysgeusia/ageusia were more prevalent among COVID-19 positive patients (41.1% v. 4.2%, p < 0.001 for smell and 46.4% v. 5.6%, p < 0.001 for taste). Anosmia/hyposmia and dysgeusia/ageusia were independently highly associated with COVID-19 positivity (adjusted odds ratios 14.4 and 11.4 for smell and taste, respectively).ConclusionIn this Canadian study, smell and taste loss may be key symptoms of COVID-19. This evidence can be helpful in the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, particularly settings of limited testing capacity.


Author(s):  
Yves Longtin ◽  
Hugues Charest ◽  
Caroline Quach ◽  
Patrice Savard ◽  
Mariana Baz ◽  
...  

Abstract We performed viral culture of respiratory specimens in 118 severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–infected healthcare workers (HCWs), ∼2 weeks after symptom onset. Only 1 HCW (0.8%) had a positive culture. No factors for prolonged viral shedding were identified. Infectivity is resolved in nearly all HCWs ∼2 weeks after symptom onset.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0
Author(s):  
MawadahM Magadmi ◽  
RaniaM Magadmi ◽  
FatemahO Kamel ◽  
MagdaM Hagras ◽  
HwraaI Alhmied ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Robyn R. Gershon, MHS, DrPH ◽  
Michelle A. Muska, EMT, MPH ◽  
Qi Zhi, MPH ◽  
Lewis E. Kraus, MPH, MCP

Objective: To assess disaster planning of local Offices of Emergency Management (OEM) with respect to people with disabilities (PWD).Design: A cross-sectional study of local OEM from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 9 (N = 61) was conducted using an internet-based survey. The primary outcome was the adoption of emergency management recommendations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FEMA in applying Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Results: OEM implementation of ADA requirements was generally suboptimal. While 63 percent reported that plans addressed the needs of PWD, only 41 percent reported detailed operating procedures for PWD. Training of staff to ensure that they were knowledgeable on the ADA requirements for inclusivity was rarely conducted. While accessible shelters and transportation were often identified, accessible communication strategies, including emergency notifications, were often lacking; only 28 percent of OEMs reported availability of sign language interpreters at shelters. Shelters often allowed service animal access (62 percent), but fewer allowed access to personal assistants (39 percent). Engagement of the disability community, from plan development to community drills, was uncommon. While more than half (59 percent) of OEM felt clear about their responsibilities in providing equal access to PWD, only 23 percent reported having qualified staff and other resources necessary in order to meet those responsibilities. Participants cited the need for more training on the ADA requirements in order to better meet the needs of PWD. Conclusion: Strategies for improvement to assure inclusiveness of PWD in all phases of emergency management are needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yu-Hong Liu ◽  
Wei-Liang Chen

Although several studies have reported the multiple systemic effects of betel nut (BN) chewing, analyses performed on the colonic system have been few. To analyze the association between BN chewing and diverticulosis, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 5,586 eligible participants who underwent colonoscopy at a medical center in Taiwan from 2010 to 2016. BN chewing was recorded based on an assessment of personal history. Diverticulosis was categorized based on whether colonoscopies had been performed during health examinations by trained physicians at Tri-Service General Hospital. The association between different exposures, including cigarette, alcohol, BN, and diverticulosis, was also analyzed. Our study included 3,161 males and 2,425 females, and males have significantly higher prevalence rates of BN chewing than females (11.1% versus 0.3%, respectively). In the male group, BN chewing had an adjusted odd ratio (OR): 1.65(95% confident interval (CI): 1.12–2.44) with the presence of diverticulosis. Among the combination of exposures of cigarette, alcohol, and BN, the group with BN chewing combined with smoking and drinking showed significant association between diverticulosis with adjusted OR: 1.909 (95% CI, 1.188–3.065). Further subgroup analysis displayed adjusted OR: 2.310 (95% CI, 1.245–4.287) in obesity and OR: 2.406 (95% CI, 1.205–4.803) in elderly male. Thus, BN chewing is independently associated with diverticulosis in male.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Author(s):  
Reni Fitriani ◽  
Agni Laili Perdani ◽  
Lia Juniarni

Background: Transgender is no longer classify a mental health illness from World Health Organization (WHO). The number of this community up to 3.9 million or 1.6% from Indonesia citizen. Transgender face social discrimination and stigma toward themselves as a result from community and family rejection. This condition could affected their process of self-acceptance and self-concept.Purpose: This study aimed to describe the self-acceptance and the self-concept among transgender in Indonesia    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in transgender community at Srikandi Pamungkas, Lembang. This study used a convinience sampling and 30 respondents agreed to participate. Data was collected using self-questionnaire and consist of 52 item questions with.Results: This study showed that the total of transgender with good self-acceptance is 17 (56.7%) and good self-concept is 16 (53.3%)Conclusion: Most of the transgender in the transgender community had good self-acceptance and good self-concept from the support system in community environment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Haghparast ◽  
Hedyeh Riazi ◽  
Jamal Shams ◽  
Farzane Ahmadi

Abstract Background Sexual assertiveness is one of the main issues in sexual relationship between couples. Since substance dependence might disrupt this relationship the present study was designed and conducted to assess and compare sexual assertiveness in women with and without substance-dependent husbands Methods This was a cross-sectional study. The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA) was used. The data then were compared between women with and without substance-dependent husbands. Results In all 300 women with and without substance-dependent husbands entered into the study. The mean age of the women was 37.31±8.79 and 32.70±7.24 years, and the mean duration of their marriage was 15.92±9.40 and 12.08±8.92 years, respectively. The majority of women with substance-dependent husbands had primary education (40.3%) and the majority of those with non-substance-dependent husbands had higher (37.3%). The mean score of sexual assertiveness was 50.66±14.31 in the women with substance-dependent husbands and 58.42±13.86 in those with non-substance-dependent husbands (P<0.001). Conclusions The risk of lower assertiveness for women with substance-dependent husbands was 2.2 times more than women with non-substance-dependent husbands. The husband’s substance dependency is therefore an issue that is worthy of attention in sexual and marital counseling. Sexual assertiveness can be improved in women with substance-dependent husbands through the implementation of appropriate interventions, such as educational and counseling programs.


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