scholarly journals Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, risk factors for infection and associated symptoms in Geneva, Switzerland: a population-based study

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110480
Author(s):  
Aude Richard ◽  
Ania Wisniak ◽  
Javier Perez-Saez ◽  
Henri Garrison-Desany ◽  
Dusan Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Associated Symptoms ◽  
Household Members ◽  
Occupation Level

Aims: To assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence over the first epidemic wave in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, as well as risk factors for infection and symptoms associated with IgG seropositivity. Methods: Between April and June 2020, former participants of a representative survey of the 20–74-year-old population of canton Geneva were invited to participate in the study, along with household members aged over 5 years. Blood samples were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G. Questionnaires were self-administered. We estimated seroprevalence with a Bayesian model accounting for test performance and sampling design. Results: We included 8344 participants, with an overall adjusted seroprevalence of 7.8% (95% credible interval 6.8–8.9). Seroprevalence was highest among 18–49 year-olds (9.5%), and lowest in 5–9-year-old children (4.3%) and individuals >65 years (4.7-5.4%). Odds of seropositivity were significantly reduced for female retirees and unemployed men compared to employed individuals, and smokers compared to non-smokers. We found no significant association between occupation, level of education, neighborhood income and the risk of being seropositive. The symptom most strongly associated with seropositivity was anosmia/dysgeusia. Conclusions: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 population seroprevalence remained low after the first wave in Geneva. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with seropositivity in this sample. The elderly, young children and smokers were less frequently seropositive, although it is not clear how biology and behaviours shape these differences.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, risk factors for infection and associated symptoms in Geneva, Switzerland: a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Richard ◽  
Ania Wisniak ◽  
Javier Perez-Saez ◽  
Henri Garrison-Desany ◽  
Dusan Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractBackgroundPopulation-based serological surveys provide a means for assessing the immunologic landscape of a community, without the biases related to health-seeking behaviors and testing practices typically associated with rt-PCR testing. This study assesses SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence over the first epidemic wave in Canton Geneva, Switzerland, as well as biological and socio-economic risk factors for infection and symptoms associated with IgG seropositivity.Methods and findingsBetween April 6 and June 30, 2020, former participants of a yearly representative cross-sectional survey of the 20-75-year-old population of the canton of Geneva were invited to participate in a seroprevalence study, along with household members five years and older. We collected blood and tested it for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins G (IgG). Questionnaires were self-administered. We estimated seroprevalence with a Bayesian model accounting for test performance and sampling design. We included 8344 participants (53.5% women, mean age 46.9 years). The population-level seroprevalence over the 12-week study period was 7.8 % (95% Credible Interval (CrI) 6.8-8.9), accounting for sex, age and household random effects. Seroprevalence was highest among 18-49 year olds (9.5%, 95%CrI 8.1-10.9), with young children (5-9 years) and those >65 years having significantly lower seroprevalence (4.3% and 4.7-5.4% respectively). Men were more likely to be seropositive than women (relative risk 1.2, 95%CrI 1.1-1.4). Odds of seropositivity were reduced for female retirees (0.46, 95%CI 0.23-0.93) and unemployed men (0.35, 95%CI 0.13-1.0) compared to employed individuals, and for current smokers (0.36, 95%CI 0.23-0.55) compared to never-smokers. We found no significant association between occupation, level of education, neighborhood income and the risk of being seropositive. Symptoms most strongly associated with seropositivity were anosmia/dysgeusia, loss of appetite, fever, fatigue and myalgia and/or arthralgia. Thirteen percent of seropositive participants reported no symptoms.ConclusionsOur results confirm a low population seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the first wave in Geneva, a region hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with seropositivity in this sample. The elderly and young children were less frequently seropositive, though it is not clear how biology and behaviors shape these differences. These specificities should be considered when assessing the need for targeted public health measures.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Chronic Subdural Hematoma after a Minor Head Injury in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen-Ho Tseng ◽  
Ming-Yuan Tseng ◽  
Ann-Jeng Liu ◽  
Wen-Hsiung Lin ◽  
Hsiao-Yun Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Subdural Hematoma ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Chronic Subdural Hematoma ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Early Management

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the major comorbidities in elderly resulting in disability and death. Early recognition of CSDH is important for early management. However, manifestations of CSDH are nonspecific and subtle. Therefore, identification of risk factors of CSDH can offer clinical follow-up strategies for patients after episodes of head injury. The purpose of the study aimed at identifying risk factors of CSDH of Taiwanese. Analysis of data from the National Health Insurance provides important information on predictive factors influencing the early diagnosis of CSDH in elderly patients following minor head injuries. The current study is the first nationwide population-based study in Taiwan, showing that old age (≥75 years), male gender, and coexisting hydrocephalus are significantly predictive factors, irrespective to their medical comorbidities.

scholarly journals Prevalence of falls in elderly people: a population based study

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 1397-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Maria da Silva Almeida ◽  
Rodrigo Dalke Meucci ◽  
Samuel C. Dumith
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Census Tracts ◽  
Probabilistic Sampling ◽  
Falls In Elderly

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of falls is related to a complex interaction of risk factors, aggravated by aging. This research aimed to investigate the occurrence of falls in the elderly, as well as to identify the risk factors for this event. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in a municipality in the extreme south of Brasil. Probabilistic sampling was used, the sample unit being the census tracts. Data were collected through home interviews. The research was approved by the research ethics committee. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study was performed using a sample of 211 elderly individuals. The prevalence of falls was 28.9% (95% CI 22.8 to 35.0). (P = 0.01), living alone (p = 0.04), self-perception of regular or poor health (p = 0.03), and obesity (p= 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found that approximately one in three elderly individuals fell in the last year.

scholarly journals Repeated seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in a population-based sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Stringhini ◽  
Ania Wisniak ◽  
Giovanni Piumatti ◽  
Andrew S. Azman ◽  
Stephen A. Lauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Bayesian Regression ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Household Members

AbstractBackgroundAssessing the burden of COVID-19 based on medically-attended case counts is suboptimal given its reliance on testing strategy, changing case definitions and the wide spectrum of disease presentation. Population-based serosurveys provide one avenue for estimating infection rates and monitoring the progression of the epidemic, overcoming many of these limitations.MethodsTaking advantage of a pool of adult participants from population-representative surveys conducted in Geneva, Switzerland, we implemented a study consisting of 8 weekly serosurveys among these participants and their household members older than 5 years. We tested each participant for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Euroimmun AG, Lübeck, Germany). We estimated seroprevalence using a Bayesian regression model taking into account test performance and adjusting for the age and sex of Geneva’s population.ResultsIn the first three weeks, we enrolled 1335 participants coming from 633 households, with 16% <20 years of age and 53.6% female, a distribution similar to that of Geneva. In the first week, we estimated a seroprevalence of 3.1% (95% CI 0.2-5.99, n=343). This increased to 6.1% (95% CI 2.69.33, n=416) in the second, and to 9.7% (95% CI 6.1-13.11, n=576) in the third week. We found that 5-19 year-olds (6.0%, 95% CI 2.3-10.2%) had similar seroprevalence to 20-49 year olds (8.5%, 95%CI 4.99-11.7), while significantly lower seroprevalence was observed among those 50 and older (3.7%, 95% CI 0.99-6.0, p=0.0008).InterpretationAssuming that the presence of IgG antibodies is at least in the short-term associated with immunity, these results highlight that the epidemic is far from burning out simply due to herd immunity. Further, no differences in seroprevalence between children and middle age adults are observed. These results must be considered as Switzerland and the world look towards easing restrictions aimed at curbing transmission.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Infection in the Representative COVID-19 Cohort Munich

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3572
Author(s):  
Michael Pritsch ◽  
Katja Radon ◽  
Abhishek Bakuli ◽  
Ronan Le Gleut ◽  
Laura Olbrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Sampling Design ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Design Sensitivity ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Private Households ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Household Members

Given the large number of mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 cases, only population-based studies can provide reliable estimates of the magnitude of the pandemic. We therefore aimed to assess the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Munich general population after the first wave of the pandemic. For this purpose, we drew a representative sample of 2994 private households and invited household members 14 years and older to complete questionnaires and to provide blood samples. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was defined as Roche N pan-Ig ≥ 0.4218. We adjusted the prevalence for the sampling design, sensitivity, and specificity. We investigated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and geospatial transmission patterns by generalized linear mixed models and permutation tests. Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies was 1.82% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–2.37%) as compared to 0.46% PCR-positive cases officially registered in Munich. Loss of the sense of smell or taste was associated with seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) 47.4; 95% CI 7.2–307.0) and infections clustered within households. By this first population-based study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a large German municipality not affected by a superspreading event, we could show that at least one in four cases in private households was reported and known to the health authorities. These results will help authorities to estimate the true burden of disease in the population and to take evidence-based decisions on public health measures.

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