Trajectories of chemosensory and cognitive functions up to 1.5 years after acute COVID-19

Abstract There is an increasing recognition of neurological manifestations from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Quantifications of such manifestations and their long-term dynamics in the general infected population are of essence in understanding the health and socioeconomic burden of neurological complications of COVID-19. Through rigorous empirical testing of over 800 volunteers, we present here repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal data that depict the trajectories of chemosensory functions, cognitive performances and depressive symptoms up to 1.5 years after acute COVID-19 in discharged patients with respect to non-infected controls. Overall, deficits in smell, taste and chemesthesis slowly resolved within about a year of discharge. Concerningly, cognitive impairments –– independent of elevated depressive symptoms and evident even in those with nonsevere disease –– showed no sign of improvement over time. In people over 50 years, COVID-19 was associated with a substantially increased risk for mild cognitive impairment. Our findings urge for cognitive and emotional interventions targeting COVID-19 convalescents.

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Lymphopenia and risk for long-term mortality among patients undergoing coronary angiography

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

B Zafrir ◽

R Jaffe ◽

H Sliman ◽

O Barnett-Griness ◽

W Saliba

Keyword(s):

Coronary Angiography ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Predictive Accuracy ◽

Cohort Analysis ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distribution Width ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Long Term Mortality

Abstract Background Lymphopenia has been shown to be associated with adverse prognosis in chronic disease states that are related to immune dysregulation. Purpose We aimed to determine the association between lymphopenia and all-cause mortality in patients presenting to coronary angiography with or without acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We also investigated whether elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW), an established cardiovascular prognostic marker, further refines risk stratification and improves predictive accuracy beyond lymphocytes count. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing coronary angiography for evaluation or treatment of coronary artery disease between 2003 and 2018. Long-term mortality risk associated with relative (1000–1500 /μL) or severe (<1000 /μL) lymphopenia was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for comorbidities, ACS and RDW. Results Overall, 15179 patients underwent coronary angiography, at a mean age of 65±12 years. On cross-sectional analysis, lymphopenia was associated with kidney disease, cancer, heart failure and presentation with ACS, but lower rates of smoking and obesity. During a median follow-up of 7 (IQR 3.5–11.5) years, 4253 patients died. Compared to normal lymphocytes count (1500–5000 /μL), the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) for mortality was 1.31 (1.21–1.41) and 1.97 (1.75–2.22) for relative and severe lymphopenia, respectively. The increase in mortality associated with severe lymphopenia was significant in patients presenting with non-ACS [HR 2.18 (1.74–2.73)], ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) [HR 1.59 (1.15–2.21)], or unstable angina/non-STEMI [HR 2.00 (1.70–2.34)]; p-for-interaction 0.626. The association of lymphopenia with mortality remained significant after additional adjustment to RDW. High RDW (>14.5%) was associated with increased mortality risk in each of the lymphocytes count groups, and improved the predictive accuracy with AUC increase from 0.609 (0.601–0.616) to 0.646 (0.639–0.654) (p<0.001). Conclusions Lymphopenia is associated with increased risk for long-term mortality in patients undergoing coronary angiography, regardless of coronary presentation. High RDW may enhance the predictive ability of lymphopenia. Lymphocyte count and mortality risk Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Maternal Overnutrition Induces Long-Term Cognitive Deficits across Several Generations

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Gitalee Sarker ◽

Daria Peleg-Raibstein

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Cognitive Impairments ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Maternal Overnutrition

Ample evidence from epidemiological studies has linked maternal obesity with metabolic disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in the next generation. Recently, it was also shown that maternal obesity has long-term effects on the progeny’s central nervous system. However, very little is known regarding how maternal overnutrition may affect, in particular, the cognitive abilities of the offspring. We reported that first-generation offspring exposed to a maternal high-fat diet (MHFD) displayed age-dependent cognitive deficits. These deficits were associated with attenuations of amino acid levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus regions of MHFD offspring. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MHFD in mice may induce long-term cognitive impairments and neurochemical dysfunctions in the second and third generations. We found that MHFD led to cognitive disabilities and an altered response to a noncompetitive receptor antagonist of the N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor in adult MHFD offspring in both second and third generations in a sex-specific manner. Our results suggest that maternal overnutrition leads to an increased risk of developing obesity in subsequent generations as well as to cognitive impairments, affecting learning and memory processes in adulthood. Furthermore, MHFD exposure may facilitate pathological brain aging which is not a consequence of obesity. Our findings shed light on the long-term effects of maternal overnutrition on the development of the central nervous system and the underlying mechanisms which these traits relate to disease predisposition.

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Six-month trajectories of self-reported depressive symptoms in long-term care

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001179 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 71-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jane McCusker ◽

Martin G. Cole ◽

Philippe Voyer ◽

Johanne Monette ◽

Nathalie Champoux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depression Symptom ◽

Term Care ◽

Symptom Trajectory ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACTBackground:Depression is a common problem in long-term care (LTC) settings. We sought to characterize depression symptom trajectories over six months among older residents, and to identify resident characteristics at baseline that predict symptom trajectory.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of data from a six-month prospective, observational, and multi-site study. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at baseline and with up to six monthly follow-up assessments. Participants were 130 residents with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 15 or more at baseline and of at least two of the six monthly follow-up assessments. Individual resident GDS trajectories were grouped using hierarchical clustering. The baseline predictors of a more severe trajectory were identified using the Proportional Odds Model.Results:Three clusters of depression symptom trajectory were found that described “lower,” “intermediate,” and “higher” levels of depressive symptoms over time (mean GDS scores for three clusters at baseline were 2.2, 4.9, and 9.0 respectively). The GDS scores in all groups were generally stable over time. Baseline predictors of a more severe trajectory were as follows: Initial GDS score of 7 or more, female sex, LTC residence for less than 12 months, and corrected visual impairment.Conclusions:The six-month course of depressive symptoms in LTC is generally stable. Most residents who experience a more severe symptom trajectory can be identified at baseline.

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Community prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in England: Results from the ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey Pilot

10.1101/2020.07.06.20147348 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Koen B Pouwels ◽

Thomas House ◽

Julie V Robotham ◽

Paul Birrell ◽

Andrew B Gelman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Credible Interval ◽

Control Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Direct Patient Contact ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Over Time

Objective: To estimate the percentage of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) over time in the community in England and to quantify risk factors. Design: Repeated cross-sectional surveys of population-representative households with longitudinal follow-up if consent given. Setting: England. Participants: 34,992 Individuals aged 2 years and over from 16,722 private residential households. Data were collected in a pilot phase of the survey between 26 April and 28 June 2020. Main outcome measures: Percentage of individuals in the community testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using throat and nose swabs. Individuals were asked about any symptoms and potential risk factors. Results: The percentage of people in private-residential households testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 reduced from 0.32% (95% credible interval (CrI) 0.19% to 0.52%) on 26 April to 0.08% (95% CrI 0.05% to 0.12%) on 28 June, although the prevalence stabilised near the end of the pilot. Factors associated with an increased risk of testing positive included having a job with direct patient contact (relative exposure (RE) 4.06, 95% CrI 2.42 to 6.77)), working outside the home (RE 2.49, 95% CrI 1.39 to 4.45), and having had contact with a hospital (RE 2.20, 95% CrI 1.09 to 4.16 for having been to a hospital individually and RE 1.95, 95% CrI 0.81 to 4.09 for a household member having been to a hospital). In 133 visits where individuals tested positive, 82 (61%, 95% CrI 53% to 69%) reported no symptoms, stably over time. Conclusion: The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals declined between 26 April and 28 June 2020. Positive tests commonly occurred without symptoms being reported. Working outside your home was an important risk factor, indicating that continued monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 in the community will be essential for early detection of increases in infections following return to work and other relaxations of control measures.

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Abstract P543: Association Of Tanning Bed Use With Depression In A Preventive Medicine Cohort: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.141.suppl_1.p543 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Katie Kinser ◽

Beth B Wright ◽

David Leonard ◽

Laura F Defina

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Preventive Medicine ◽

Personal History ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tanning Beds ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Tanning Bed ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Depression

Importance: The use of tanning beds continues despite evidence of increased skin cancer risk among users. In the US, the prevalence of indoor tanning ranges from 35% of adults to 59% of college students. Objective: To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and tanning bed use. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A preventive medicine clinic in Dallas, Texas. Participants: Between September 2013 and June 2019, a total of 11,823 generally healthy men and women presented for preventive medical examinations. Exposure: Self-reported tanning bed use. Main Outcome and Measures: Depressive symptoms as indicated by a score of greater than or equal to 10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Results: Fifteen percent of participants had used a tanning bed prior to their examination. For men, tanning bed use was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms (OR: 1.86; 95% CI:1.41-2.44). For women, the association between the use of tanning beds and depressive symptoms was significant in an unadjusted model, but was no longer significant after adjustment for confounders (OR: 1.26; 95% CI:0.99-1.61). However, the odds ratio was still in the direction of increased risk. Women with a personal history of depression were more likely to tan frequently and have higher CES-D scores than women with no personal history of depression ( p = .003). Conclusions and Relevance: In a generally healthy population, depressive symptoms were associated with the use of a tanning bed. This association was more evident in those with a history of depression, although remained true for those without a history of depression. As recurrent tanning bed use is known to contribute to the diagnosis of melanoma, it is critical to help patients identify other options to treat depression as well as to educate them on the risks of routine tanning bed use.

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Perceived and content-related emotional demands at work and risk of long-term sickness absence in the Danish workforce: a cohort study of 26 410 Danish employees

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2019-106015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 895-900 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elisabeth Framke ◽

Jeppe Karl Sørensen ◽

Mads Nordentoft ◽

Nina Føns Johnsen ◽

Anne Helene Garde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Environment And Health ◽

Frequency Of Contact ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Unit Increase ◽

Estimated Risk ◽

Emotional Demands

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine whether high emotional demands at work predict long-term sickness absence (LTSA) in the Danish workforce and whether associations differ by perceived and content-related emotional demands.MethodsWe included 26 410 individuals from the Work Environment and Health in Denmark Study, a nationwide sample of the Danish workforce. Emotional demands at work were measured with two items: one assessing perceived emotional demands (asking how often respondents were emotionally affected by work) and one assessing content-related emotional demands (frequency of contact with individuals in difficult situations). LTSA was register based and defined as spells of ≥6 weeks. Respondents with LTSA during 2 years before baseline were excluded. Follow-up was 52 weeks. Using Cox regression, we estimated risk of LTSA per one-unit increase in emotional demands rated on a five-point scale.ResultsDuring 22 466 person-years, we identified 1002 LTSA cases. Both perceived (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.28) and content-related emotional demands (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13) predicted risk of LTSA after adjustment for confounders. Further adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms substantially attenuated associations for perceived (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.16) but not content-related emotional demands (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11). Individuals working in occupations with above-average values of both exposures had an increased risk of LTSA (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.52) compared with individuals in all other job groups.ConclusionsPerceived and content-related emotional demands at work predicted LTSA, also after adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms, supporting the interpretation that high emotional demands may be hazardous to employee’s health.

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Risk of Venous Thromboembolism after New Onset Heart Failure

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-53641-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nathaniel R. Smilowitz ◽

Qi Zhao ◽

Li Wang ◽

Sulena Shrestha ◽

Onur Baser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

New Diagnosis ◽

Over Time ◽

Long Term Mortality ◽

New Onset

AbstractNew-onset heart failure (HF) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is uncertain to what extent HF confers an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Adults ≥65 years old hospitalized with a new diagnosis of HF were identified from Medicare claims from 2007–2013. We identified the incidence, predictors and outcomes of VTE in HF. We compared VTE incidence during follow-up after HF hospitalization with a corresponding period 1-year prior to the HF diagnosis. Among 207,535 patients with a new HF diagnosis, the cumulative incidence of VTE was 1.4%, 2.5%, and 10.5% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively. The odds of VTE were greatest immediately after new-onset HF and steadily declined over time (OR 2.2 [95% CI 2.0–2.3], OR 1.5 [1.4–1.7], and OR 1.2 [1.2–1.3] at 0–30 days, 4–6 months, and 7–9 months, respectively). Over 26-month follow-up, patients with HF were at two-fold higher risk of VTE than patients without HF (adjusted HR 2.31 [2.18–2.45]). VTE during follow-up was associated with long-term mortality (adjusted HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.56–1.64). In conclusion, patients with HF are at increased risk of VTE early after a new HF diagnosis. VTE in patients with HF is associated with long-term mortality.

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Depressive symptoms in long term care facilities in Western Canada: a cross sectional study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-019-1298-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Matthias Hoben ◽

Abigail Heninger ◽

Jayna Holroyd-Leduc ◽

Jennifer Knopp-Sihota ◽

Carole Estabrooks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Assessment Instrument ◽

Western Canada ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Term Care ◽

Data Set ◽

For Profit

Abstract Background The main objective is to better understand the prevalence of depressive symptoms, in long-term care (LTC) residents with or without cognitive impairment across Western Canada. Secondary objectives are to examine comorbidities and other factors associated with of depressive symptoms, and treatments used in LTC. Methods 11,445 residents across a random sample of 91 LTC facilities, from 09/2014 to 05/2015, were stratified by owner-operator model (private for-profit, public or voluntary not-for-profit), size (small: < 80 beds, medium: 80–120 beds, large > 120 beds), location (Calgary and Edmonton Health Zones, Alberta; Fraser and Interior Health Regions, British Columbia; Winnipeg Health Region, Manitoba). Random intercept generalized linear mixed models with depressive symptoms as the dependent variable, cognitive impairment as primary independent variable, and resident, care unit and facility characteristics as covariates were used. Resident variables came from the Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) 2.0 records (the RAI-MDS version routinely collected in Western Canadian LTC). Care unit and facility variables came from surveys completed with care unit or facility managers. Results Depressive symptoms affects 27.1% of all LTC residents and 23.3% of LTC resident have both, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment. Hypertension, urinary and fecal incontinence were the most common comorbidities. Cognitive impairment increases the risk for depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio 1.65 [95% confidence interval 1.43; 1.90]). Pain, anxiety and pulmonary disorders were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Pharmacologic therapies were commonly used in those with depressive symptoms, however there was minimal use of non-pharmacologic management. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are common in LTC residents –particularly in those with cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms are an important target for clinical intervention and further research to reduce the burden of these illnesses.

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Identifying the Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms Amongst Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183449 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3449 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dan Song ◽

Doris S.F. Yu ◽

Polly W.C. Li ◽

Qiuhua Sun

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

High-level depressive symptoms have been reported in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), resulting in increased risk of progression to dementia. However, studies investigating the correlates of depressive symptoms among this population are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the significant socio-demographic, lifestyle-related and disease-related correlates of depressive symptoms among this cohort. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 154 Chinese community-dwelling older adults with MCI. MCI subjects were screened by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Possible correlates of depressive symptoms in individuals with MCI were explored by multiple linear regressions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults with MCI was 31.8%. In multiple regression analysis, poor perceived positive social interaction, small social network, low level of physical activity, poor functional status, subjective memory complaint, and poor health perception were correlated with depressive symptoms. The findings highlight that depressive symptoms are sufficient to warrant evaluation and management in older adults with MCI. Addressing social isolation, assisting this vulnerable group in functional and physical activities, and cultivating a positive perception towards cognitive and physical health are highly prioritized treatment targets among individuals with MCI.

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