scholarly journals High risk individuals in COVID-19 pandemic; an updated review

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e25-e25
Author(s):  
Rojin Chegini ◽  
Alireza Bolurian ◽  
Zahra Mojtahedi ◽  
Masoud Hafizi

In December 2019, cases of pneumonia with an unknown pathogen were reporting in Wuhan city, China. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. The most frequent site of involvement is the respiratory system. The most common symptoms include cough, fatigue and fever. In some cases, neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal complications can lead to death. Inflammatory cytokines can play a major role in pathogen damage. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and its severe complications, it is critical to identify the high-risk groups. Since this disease has a rapid transmission, following the instructions announced by the WHO, prevention is vital, especially in people with risk factors for disease complications and mortality. According to the latest reports by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), older age and having some medical conditions such as smoking, obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, cancer, solid organ transplant, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and sickle cell anemia in younger adults are known disease severity risk factor.

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyuan Jiang ◽  
Ruijuan Yang ◽  
Maobin Kuang ◽  
Meng Yu ◽  
Mingchun Zhong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) has been recommended as an alternative indicator of insulin resistance. However, the association between TyG-BMI and pre-diabetes remains to be elucidated. Methods More than 100,000 subjects with normal glucose at baseline received follow-up. The main outcome event of concern was pre-diabetes defined according to the diagnostic criteria recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2018 and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the role of TyG-BMI in identifying people at high risk of pre-diabetes. Results At a mean observation period of 3.1 years, the incidence of pre-diabetes in the cohort was 3.70 and 12.31% according to the WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria for pre-diabetes, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TyG-BMI was independently positively correlated with pre-diabetes, and there was a special population dependence phenomenon. Among them, non-obese people, women and people under 50 years old had a significantly higher risk of TyG-BMI-related pre-diabetes (P-interaction< 0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that a higher TyG-BMI significantly increases an individual’s risk of pre-diabetes, and this risk is significantly higher in women, non-obese individuals, and individuals younger than 50 years of age.


2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 2491-2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. ARROYAVE ◽  
Y. KEYNAN ◽  
L. LÓPEZ ◽  
D. MARIN ◽  
M. P. ARBELÁEZ ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe main aim was to measure the incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and identify risk factors associated with infection. In addition, we determined the number needed to screen (NNS) to identify LTBI and active tuberculosis. We followed 129 prisoners for 2 years following a negative two-step tuberculin skin test (TST). The cumulative incidence of TST conversion over 2 years was 29·5% (38/129), among the new TST converters, nine developed active TB. Among persons with no evidence of LTBI, the NNS to identify a LTBI case was 3·4 and an active TB case was 14·3. The adjusted risk factors for LTBI conversion were incarceration in prison number 1, being formerly incarcerated, and overweight. In conclusion, prisoners have higher risk of LTBI acquisition compared with high-risk groups, such as HIV-infected individuals and children for whom LTBI testing should be performed according to World Health Organization guidance. The high conversion rate is associated with high incidence of active TB disease, and therefore we recommend mandatory LTBI screening at the time of prison entry. Individuals with a negative TST at the time of entry to prison are at high risk of acquiring infection, and should therefore be followed in order to detect convertors and offer LTBI treatment. This approach has a very low NNS for each identified case, and it can be utilized to decrease development of active TB disease and transmission.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Dennis Bowie

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is becoming an increasing problem for health care workers. The World Health Organization predicts that in the year 2020, this disease will be the fifth most prevalent disease worldwide, up from 12th place, and it will be the third most common cause of death, up from sixth place in 1997 (1). Hospitalization and mortality rates for COPD continue to rise in Canada (2). Therefore, the burden of COPD on Canadians, the health care system and physicians is obvious.


Author(s):  
Lizarazu Maulidil Li Kharis ◽  
Andjar Pudji ◽  
Priyambada Cahya Nugraha

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease whose prevalence tends to increase annually, with the World Health Organization (WHO) data predicting in 2020 the disease is the cause of the third-highest mortality worldwide. The assessment of the recurrence of COPD patients is very important, as it will accelerate the decline of lung function and health status. The purpose of this research is to design a spirometer by utilizing the MPXV7002DP sensor and equipped with a graphical display as well as lung health status on the Nextion TFT LCD.  A portable Spirometer design has been done using the MPXV7002DP pressure sensor out as a transducer with a display on the Nextion TFT LCD. The design aims to determine the health of lung function by knowing the volume of lung Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expired Volume in one second (FEV1), and Vital Capacity (VC). The working principle of this tool is to process the pressure from the results of the user blowing to the sensor through a mouthpiece which is designed based on Venturimeter law, the data will be processed by the Arduino microcontroller 2560 to be displayed on the LCD TFT and Nextion stored in SD card memory. The result of module validation data against a Spirometer 3L calibrator Benchmarking tool was obtained 1.58% VC error. The value is still below the 5% error tolerance limit so that the VC parameters in the secure module is used.


Author(s):  
Virginia Recchia ◽  
Antonio Dodaro ◽  
Rosita B. Maglie ◽  
Carlo G. Leo

The World Health Organization has estimated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most common cause of death worldwide. Due to the economic and social extent of the problem, patient engagement must be comprised as a new resource for the achievement of higher health outcomes and lower costs. As many key processes involved in the COPD patient engagement consist of communication and education processes, modelling those processes in a whole framework, including actors and content needs, is a requirement. The main scope of this chapter is contributing to design such a framework within the Italian Health System. Final recommendations suggest to create a synergy among patient engagement and a set of legal tools, namely informed consent, integrated care and advance care planning. The synergy is based on the fact that both patient engagement and those legal tools have a common deep root in the universal principle of patient autonomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Soon-Young Lee ◽  
Bossng Kang ◽  
Chun-Sik Bae ◽  
Seung-Sik Cho ◽  
Dae-Hun Park

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable disease related to the respiratory system. A 2017 report by the World Health Organization stated that it was the third most common cause of death in 2015. Macmoondong decoction is a prescription that has been used widely in Korea for the treatment of respiratory diseases, but there have been few investigations into the therapeutic mechanism. To investigate the anti-COPD effect of macmoondong decoction, the animals were divided into five treatment groups: control; COPD-induced control; Spiriva; 150 mg/kg macmoondong decoction; and 1500 mg/kg macmoondong decoction. Changes typically observed in COPD, such as the populations of WBC and neutrophils in BALF, the level of IgE in serum, morphological changes, the DNA levels, and the protein expression of cytokines and chemokines (TGF-β, CCL-2, CXCL1, and CXCL11) in the pulmonary system, were evaluated. Macmoondong decoction inhibited the populations of WBC and neutrophils in BALF and the level of IgE in serum. Dose-dependent prevention of the pulmonary morphological changes, such as emphysema and airway fibrosis, was observed. Macmoondong decoction suppressed the expression of DNA and proteins related to the occurrence of COPD, such as TGF-β, CCL-2, CXCL1, and CXCL11. In particular, the expression of TGF-β, CCL-2, and CXCL1 was significantly suppressed by 1500 mg/kg macmoondong decoction treatment compared with Spiriva treatment. Macmoondong decoction exerted an anti-COPD effect, and the mechanism of its action may be the suppression of TGF-β, CCL-2, CXCL1, and CXCL11 expression, which occurred in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of action of macmoondong decoction may be the dose-dependent suppression of TGF-β, CCL-2, CXCL1, and CXCL11, with TGF-β, CCL-2, and CXCL1 as the potential key factors involved in COPD suppression.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Meffert ◽  
Isaak Hatami ◽  
Carola Xander ◽  
Gerhild Becker

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, many patients with severe COPD do not receive adequate palliative care. The main goals of our study were to identify the percentage of hospital patients with palliative care needs, particularly those who suffer from COPD.Data were collected prospectively from inpatients at the University Medical Centre Freiburg (Freiburg, Germany). Based on the World Health Organization definition of palliative care, the treating physician reported for each patient discharged whether the patient had palliative care needs or not. Data from 39 849 patients could be analysed, of which 1455 were suffering from COPD.Of all COPD patients, 9.1% had palliative care needs. In COPD patients with palliative care needs, hospital stay was significantly longer (13.7 versus 10.3 days) than in the group without palliative care needs, and significantly more patients died during their hospital stay (8.3% versus 3.7%). The presence of metastases was the highest risk factor for developing palliative care needs (OR 4.18). Furthermore, a main diagnosis of COPD implied an increased probability of palliative care needs (OR 1.87).Our results show that COPD patients have a high risk of developing palliative care needs. Further efforts are required to provide palliative care to COPD patients.


Author(s):  
Jeness Campodonico ◽  
Flavia Nicoli ◽  
Irene Motta ◽  
Margherita Migone De Amicis ◽  
Alice Bonomi ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims In heart failure (HF) iron deficiency (ID) is frequently observed and represents a major mortality risk factor. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between mortality and ID in a cohort of 661 consecutive patients hospitalized for HF worsening. Methods and results Patients were grouped: (i)according to presence(+)/absence(−) of anaemia (A) and ID defined following World Health Organization (WHO) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC)–American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/HF society of America (ACC/AHA/HFSA) definitions, respectively: Group A−ID− (n = 123), Group A+ID− (n = 80), Group A+ID+ (n = 247), and Group A−ID+ (n = 211); (ii) according to presence of absolute (serum ferritin &lt; 100μg/L) and functional ID [ferritin between 100 and 300μg/L and transferrin saturation (TSAT) &lt; 20%]; and (iii) according to TSAT &lt;20% and ≥20%. Groups were not different for several clinical features but age, gender, kidney function, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Average follow-up was 1.94 year (±420 days). Overall 5 years mortality rate was 29.5%. Only anaemia and functional ID but not ID as defined by guidelines showed an impact on prognosis. Transferrin saturation &lt;20% (n = 360) patients showed worst prognosis compared to TSAT ≥20% (n = 301) patients. In addition, functional ID patients showed worse prognosis compared patients with ferritin &lt;100μg/L and TSAT &lt;20% or ≥20% likely due to more severe chronic inflammatory status [C-reactive protein, 7.4 (interquartile range 2.7–22.6) and 3.2 (1.4–8.7) mg/L, P &lt; 0.0001 respectively]. Conclusion We confirmed that in HF anaemia is associated to a poor prognosis. Moreover, we showed that patients with TSAT &lt;20% had worse prognosis compared to those with TSAT ≥20% but the composite of ferritin between 100 and 300 μg/L and TSAT &lt;20% identifies HF patients with the poorest survival rate.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Nataliya Cherepii ◽  
Lesia Rasputina

According to the data of the world statistics there is observed the continuous growth of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the last data of the World health organization (WHO), for today there is near 250 mln persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and this disease becomes as cause of death of near 3 mln persons annually. Aim: to establish the prevalence of undiagnosed chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) among persons, who consider themselves as healthy ones and regularly undergo medical check-ups; to estimate the frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to the data of medical documentation. Methods and materials: 525 persons, older than 35, who did not have in an anamnesis any chronic diseases of respiratory tract, were interrogated. At the following stage, persons, who had taken 18 points or more underwent a spirography with bronchodilatation test, using 400 mcg of salbutamol and were interrogated by the modified questionnaire of short breath by the medical research council (MRC) and test of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease estimation (COPD) (TEC). There were examined 136 patients, mean age (51,5±0,8), men were 81(59,5 %) mean age (52,2±1,1) and women – 55(40,4 %) mean age (50,7±0,9). There were analyzed 56 medical stories of patients, treated at therapeutic departments of the city clinic because of internal organs diseases with the concomitant diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among persons with first revealed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease у 21 (26,6 %) was reveled І severity degree according to GOLD, in 26 persons (32,9 %) – GOLD ІІ, in 28 (35,4 %) – GOLD ІІІ, in 4 (5,1 %) – GOLD ІV severity degree, so 32 patients did not receive basic treatment at all. At the same time among patients with COPD diagnosis in medical documentation only in 38,4 % this diagnosis was spirographically verified, the hyperdiagnostics of disease on the base of complaints and age characteristic took place in other cases.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document