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Therapeutic approach to dysphagia in post-COVID patients in a rehabilitation unit: a descriptive longitudinal study.
Guillen-Sola, A, Ramírez, C, Nieto, S, Duarte, E, Tejero, M, Grillo, C, Bel, H, Boza, R
European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine. 2024;(2):373-381
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high rate of hospitalized patients for COVID-19 had dysphagia, frequently underdiagnosed, and not treated, inducing a prolonged dysphagia with protracted recovery. Specific treatments and protocols have not been well described yet. AIM: Given the potential benefits of respiratory muscle training (IEMT) and neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) in dysphagia treatment, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of the protocol used for treating dysphagia in patients who experienced prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19. DESIGN Observational, descriptive, prospective study. SETTING Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of a tertiary University hospital. POPULATION Fifty-eight COVID-19 patients were admitted for intensive rehabilitation (March 2020 to October 2021) were prospectively studied. METHODS Dysphagia was diagnosed using videofluoroscopy and treated with a 3-week protocol adapted from neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) in a motor threshold and inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength training (IEMST), five sets of five repetitions three times daily for 3 weeks. Feasibility was assessed with adherence, outcomes achieved, and occurrence of adverse/unexpected events. Respiratory function (peak cough flow, maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressures) and swallow function (Penetration-Aspiration Scale and Bolus Residue Scale measured by videofluoroscopy) were recorded descriptive statistics, Student's t test for numerical data, and Wilcoxon Test for ordinal variables were applied. SPPSS vs28 and STATA version 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) were used for statistical analysis. P values 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Dysphagia was highly prevalent in severe COVID-19 patients (86.6%); all respiratory and swallow parameters improved after a 3-week intervention and 12 of 18 patients dependent on tube feeding resumed a normal diet (66.7%; McNemar P=0.03), and 84.09% attended a no restriction diet at discharge. Adherence to treatment was 85%. No significant adverse events were detected. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that a structured swallowing-exercise training intervention based on IEMT and NMES is feasible and safe in prolonged hospitalization post-COVID patients. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT To describe rehabilitation protocols used to treat dysphagia in post-COVID patients will help us to optimize the available techniques in each center and to induce a faster recovery avoiding potential complications.
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Lifestyles and academic stress among health sciences students at the National University of Chimborazo, Ecuador: a longitudinal study.
Salazar-Granizo, YE, Hueso-Montoro, C, Caparros-Gonzalez, RA
Frontiers in public health. 2024;:1447649
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significant changes experienced by university students in their training are inherent to educational processes. Social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, online education and the reopening of higher-education institutions produced substantial variations in the lifestyle of university students in health sciences and generated academic stress and perceived stress. This study was conducted at the National University of Chimborazo (UNACH), a public institution located in Riobamba, central Ecuador, the diverse student's population provided an ideal setting for examining the interplay between academic and perceived stress, lifestyle factors, and learning modalities. The research focused on health sciences students across six academic programs. The university's geographical position and demographic characteristics offered a representative sample for investigating these factors within the context changing. AIM: To compare academic and perceived stress and university students' lifestyles at two different periods: (1) during the mandatory social confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with an online learning modality (T1); (2) in the post-pandemic period with a return to face-to-face activities (T2). DESIGN An observational, analytical, quantitative, and longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS Students from six programs (Nursing, Physiotherapy, Clinical Laboratory, Medicine, Dentistry, and Clinical Psychology) from the Faculty of Health of the National University of Chimborazo-Ecuador (n = 2,237) participated voluntarily, the students had one mean age of M = 21.31 (SD = 2.36) at T1 and M = 22.94 (SD = 2.40) at T2. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed due to the accessibility of the student population and the importance of including the maximum number of relevant individuals within the study population. METHODS The following instruments were used: Nola Pender's Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire, Cognitive Systemic Inventory for the study of academic stress, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. RESULTS In T1 and T2, students reported high levels of stress, and increased unhealthy lifestyle increased with the return to classrooms. Additionally, upon returning to face-to-face activities (T2), the mean score applied to the responses of Nola Pender's Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire decreased from M = 113.34 (SD = 23.02) to M = 107.2 (SD = 29.70; p < 0.001). There was significant difference (p < 0.001) in academic stress in T1 [M = 66.25 (SD = 15.66)] and T2 [M = 64.00 (SD = 17.91)]. CONCLUSIONS Upon returning to university classrooms (T2), the number of students who reported an "unhealthy" lifestyle increased. Academic stress was high in T1 and T2 and was reported higher in online activities during social isolation.
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Nutrition delivery across hospitalisation in critically ill patients with COVID-19: An observational study of the Australian experience.
Chapple, LS, Ridley, EJ, Ainscough, K, Ballantyne, L, Burrell, A, Campbell, L, Dux, C, Ferrie, S, Fetterplace, K, Fox, V, et al
Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses. 2024;(3):422-428
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on nutrition delivery over the whole hospital admission in critically ill patients with COVID-19 are scarce, particularly in the Australian setting. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to describe nutrition delivery in critically ill patients admitted to Australian intensive care units (ICUs) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with a focus on post-ICU nutrition practices. METHODS A multicentre observational study conducted at nine sites included adult patients with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to the ICU for >24 h and discharged to an acute ward over a 12-month recruitment period from 1 March 2020. Data were extracted on baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes. Nutrition practice data from the ICU and weekly in the post-ICU ward (up to week four) included route of feeding, presence of nutrition-impacting symptoms, and nutrition support received. RESULTS A total of 103 patients were included (71% male, age: 58 ± 14 years, body mass index: 30±7 kg/m2), of whom 41.7% (n = 43) received mechanical ventilation within 14 days of ICU admission. While oral nutrition was received by more patients at any time point in the ICU (n = 93, 91.2% of patients) than enteral nutrition (EN) (n = 43, 42.2%) or parenteral nutrition (PN) (n = 2, 2.0%), EN was delivered for a greater duration of time (69.6% feeding days) than oral and PN (29.7% and 0.7%, respectively). More patients received oral intake than the other modes in the post-ICU ward (n = 95, 95.0%), and 40.0% (n = 38/95) of patients were receiving oral nutrition supplements. In the week after ICU discharge, 51.0% of patients (n = 51) had at least one nutrition-impacting symptom, most commonly a reduced appetite (n = 25; 24.5%) or dysphagia (n = 16; 15.7%). CONCLUSION Critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia were more likely to receive oral nutrition than artificial nutrition support at any time point both in the ICU and in the post-ICU ward, whereas EN was provided for a greater duration when it was prescribed. Nutrition-impacting symptoms were common.
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Mortality, hospitalizations, and persistence of symptoms in the outpatient setting of the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil: results of SARS-Brazil cohort study.
Fonseca, HAR, Pereira, AJ, Nawa, RK, Sant'Anna, VAR, Almeida, TF, Guimarães, HP, Tognon, AP, Marques, LM, Silva, LSCD, Bittencourt, RS, et al
Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil). 2024;:eAO0652
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate deaths, hospitalizations, and persistence of symptoms in patients with COVID-19 after infection in an outpatient setting during the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil. METHODS This prospective cohort was between April 2020 and February 2021. Hospitalized or non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients until five days after symptom onset were included. The outcomes measured were incidence of death, hospitalization, and persistence of more than two symptoms 60 days after discharge. RESULTS Out of 1,198 patients enrolled in the study, 66.7% were hospitalized. A total of 289 patients died (1 [0.3%] non-hospitalized and 288 [36%] hospitalized). At 60 days, patients non-hospitalized during admission had more persistent symptoms (16.2%) compared to hospitalized (37.1%). The COVID-19 severity variables associated with the persistence of two or more symptoms were increased age (OR= 1.03; p=0.015), respiratory rate at hospital admission (OR= 1.11; p=0.005), length of hospital stay of more than 60 days (OR= 12.24; p=0.026), and need for intensive care unit admission (OR= 2.04; p=0.038). CONCLUSION COVID-19 survivors who were older, tachypneic at admission, had a hospital length of stay >60 days, and were admitted to the intensive care unit had more persistent symptoms than patients who did not require hospitalization in the early COVID-19 waves.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04479488.
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Lipidomic and metabolomic changes in community-acquired and COVID-19 pneumonia.
Saballs, M, Parra, S, Martínez, N, Amigo, N, Cabau, L, Iftimie, S, Pavon, R, Gabaldó, X, Correig, X, Paredes, S, et al
Journal of lipid research. 2024;(9):100622
Abstract
This prospective observational study compared the 1H NMR blood lipidomes and metabolomes of 71 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), 75 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and 75 healthy controls (matched by age and sex) to identify potential biomarkers and pathways associated with respiratory infections. Both pneumonia groups had comparable severity indices, including mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit admission rates. Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia exhibited more pronounced hypolipidemia, with significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL-c compared to patients with CAP. Atherogenic lipoprotein subclasses (VLDL-cholesterol, IDL-cholesterol, IDL-triglyceride, and LDL-triglyceride/LDL-cholesterol) were significantly increased in severe cases of both pneumonia types, while lower HDL-c and small, dense HDL particles were associated with more severe illness. Both infected groups showed decreased esterified cholesterol and increased triglycerides, along with reduced phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, PUFA, omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA. Additionally, infected patients had elevated levels of glucose, lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone, which are linked to inflammation, hypoxemia, and sepsis. Increased levels of branched-chain amino acids, alanine, glycine, and creatine, which are involved in energy metabolism and protein catabolism, were also observed. Neurotransmitter synthesis metabolites like histidine and glutamate were higher in infected patients, especially those with COVID-19. Notably, severe infections showed a significant decrease in glutamine, essential for lymphocyte and macrophage energy. The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia was also associated with elevated glycoprotein levels (glycoprotein A, glycoprotein B, and glycoprotein F), indicating an inflammatory state. These findings suggest that metabolomic and lipidomic changes in pneumonia are connected to bioenergetic pathways regulating the immune response.
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Sunlight exposure might account for the relatively low COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in tropical countries.
Muhammad, M, Loong, SK, Khor, CS, Mohd-Azami, SNI, Kafle, A, Useh, U, Bello, B, AbuBakar, S
Tropical biomedicine. 2024;(1):78-83
Abstract
The present study aimed at exploring whether sunlight exposure might account for the relative difference in COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality between tropical and non-tropical countries. A retrospective observational study was designed and data from the World Health Organization weekly COVID-19 epidemiological update was compiled. We examined the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population, as well as the total number of COVID-19-related mortalities per 100 000 population. Solar variables data were obtained from the Global Solar Atlas website (https://globalsolaratlas.info/). These data were analyzed to determine the association of sunlight exposure to COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in tropical and non-tropical countries. Results revealed a statistically significant decrease in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population (P<0.001), as well as the number of COVID-19-related mortalities per 100 000 population (P<0.001) between tropical and non-tropical countries. Analyses of sunlight exposure data found that specific photovoltaic power output, global horizontal irradiation, diffuse horizontal irradiation and global tilted irradiation at optimum angle were significantly inversely correlated to COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. This suggests that stronger sunlight exposure potentially leads to lower COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. Findings from this study suggest that the relatively low COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in tropical countries were possibly due to better sunlight exposure that translates into adequate vitamin D status.
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Clinical Profile of Mucormycosis Patients during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Study.
Gondane, B, Jain, SK, Dube, S
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2024;(3):27-31
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, an increased incidence of mucormycosis infection was noted globally, the majority being from India. We aimed to study the clinical profile of the mucormycosis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic admitted at tertiary care centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective record-based observation study conducted at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. All suspected or laboratory-proven mucormycosis patients were included. Detailed data on demography, clinical features, risk factors, laboratory/radiological findings, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS A total of 288 patients were enrolled and 121(42%) showed mucormycosis on potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. The mean age was 51.52 ± 10.88 years, male:female ratio was 2.3:1. Most common symptom was facial swelling/pain and fever. The most common risk factor was COVID-19 infection (78.5%) followed by the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (70.8%) out of which 152 (52.8%) patients were previously diagnosed cases and 52 (18%) patients were newly diagnosed, 159 (55.2%) had a history of corticosteroid use, 87 (30.2%) had a history of use of oxygen support and 67 (23.2%) had hypertension. Most patients had invasion limited to sinus (46.5%) but the presence of DM was associated with an increased risk of cerebral invasion. Out of 288 patients admitted with mucormycosis, 31 patients collapsed to death while the remaining 257 patients were discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION It is observed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, hyperglycemia and inappropriate use of corticosteroids were associated with an increased risk of development of mucormycosis in patients with or without DM. We conclude that regular blood glucose monitoring, adequate glycemic control, and judicious evidence-based use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants in COVID-19 are recommended to reduce the emergence of mucormycosis in such circumstances.
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Abnormal Iron Status and Adverse Outcome After Elective Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective, Observational Multicenter Study.
Hazen, YJJM, Noordzij, PG, Geuzebroek, GSC, Koets, J, Somers, T, Gerritse, BM, Scohy, TV, Vernooij, LM, van Gammeren, A, Thelen, MHM, et al
Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. 2024;(3):667-674
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the incidence of preoperative abnormal iron status and its association with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, postoperative major complications, and new onset of clinically significant disability in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. DESIGN A prospective, observational multicenter cohort study. SETTING Three cardiac surgical centers in the Netherlands between 2019 and 2021. Recruitment was on hold between March and May 2020 due to COVID-19. PATIENTS A total of 427 patients aged 60 years and older who underwent elective on-pump cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The primary endpoint was a 30-day PRBC transfusion. Secondary endpoints were postoperative major complications within 30 days (eg, acute kidney injury, sepsis), and new onset of clinically significant disability within 120 days of surgery. Iron status was evaluated before surgery. Abnormal iron status was present in 45.2% of patients (n = 193), and most frequently the result of iron deficiency (27.4%, n = 117). An abnormal iron status was not associated with PRBC transfusion (adjusted relative risk [ARR] 1.2; 95% CI 0.9-1.8: p = 0.227) or new onset of clinically significant disability (ARR 2.0; 95% CI 0.9-4.6: p = 0.098). However, the risk of postoperative major complications was increased in patients with an abnormal iron status (ARR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.5: p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS An abnormal iron status before elective cardiac surgery was associated with an increased risk of postoperative major complications but not with PRBC transfusion or a new onset of clinically significant disability.
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High-power motorcycle accidents in Spain: a descriptive study.
Díez-Navarro, JM, Leal-Costa, C, Planes-Muñoz, D, Suárez-Cortés, M, Castaño-Molina, MLÁ, Molina-Rodríguez, A, Díaz-Agea, JL
European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society. 2024;(2):455-466
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PURPOSE In modern societies, motorcycle accidents have become a great problem for health systems worldwide. In Spain, the size and the power of the engine of 2-wheel vehicles determine the type of driving license and the age at which these vehicles can be used (mopeds and motorcycles, which at the same time can have a small or large engine capacity). The objective of the present study was to analyze and characterize low- and high-power motorcycle accidents in Spain, between 2014 and 2020, both included and compared these categories with each other. METHODS Retrospective, descriptive, and observational study of motorcycle and moped accidents in Spain between 2014 and 2020, both included. RESULTS The mortality of motorcycle accident riders in Spain is associated with males aged between 30 and 40 years old, with a high-power motorcycle, and an A or A1 driver's license, who is 6.7 times more likely to die in crossings and highways than a moped, while wearing a helmet, and if not, this increases to 4.89 times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in death at 24 h after a high-power motorcycle accident was observed, as compared with a large reduction in the total medical assistance provided in 2019-2020. CONCLUSIONS High-power motorcycles had higher scores in mortality and morbity rates than low-power ones, with a significant increase in mortality during the pandemic, even though number of accidents and medical assistance provided were drastically reduced.
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Proximal tubular dysfunction as a predictor of AKI in Hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Bari, A, Alam, MR, Islam, S, Islam, MN, Faroque, MO, Amin, N
PloS one. 2024;(6):e0298408
Abstract
BACKGROUND High concentration of Angiotensin converting enzyme receptors in the proximal tubules make kidneys an early target in COVID-19. Proximal tubular dysfunction (PTD) may act as an early predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) and more severe disease. METHODS This prospective observational study was conducted in the COVID unit, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. 87 COVID-19 patients without known kidney disease were screened for 6 markers of PTD on admission-hyperuricosuria, normoglycemic glycosuria, proteinuria, renal phosphate leak, sodium leak and potassium leak. Positivity of 2 of the first 4 markers was considered as PTD. 35 patients with PTD and 35 without PTD were followed up throughout their hospital stay. RESULTS 52.9% had PTD on admission. The most prevalent markers were renal sodium leak (67%), followed by proteinuria (66.7%), hyperuricosuria (42.5%), potassium leak (32.2%), phosphate leak (28.7%) and normoglycemic glycosuria (20.7%). Mean age was 55.7 years. 32.9% patients developed AKI. PTD group had higher odds of developing AKI (odds ratio 17.5 for stage 1, 24.8 for stage 2 and 25.5 for stage 3; p<0.0001). The mean duration of hospital stay was 9 days higher in the PTD group (p<0.001). PTD group also had higher odds of transferring to ICU (OR = 9.4, p = 0.002), need for mechanical ventilation (OR = 10.1, p = 0.002) and death (OR = 10.3, p = 0.001). 32.6% had complete PTD recovery during follow-up. CONCLUSION Proximal tubular dysfunction is highly prevalent in COVID-19 patients very early in the disease and may act as a predictor of AKI, ICU transfer, need for mechanical ventilation and death.
