scholarly journals Serologic Status and SARS CoV-2 Infection over 6-Months of Follow-Up in Healthcare Workers in Chicago: A Cohort Study

Author(s):  
John T. Wilkins ◽  
Lisa R. Hirschhorn ◽  
Elizabeth L. Gray ◽  
Amisha Wallia ◽  
Mercedes Carnethon ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To determine the changes in SARS-CoV-2 serologic status and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in healthcare workers (HCW) over 6-months of follow-up. Design: Prospective cohort study Setting and Participants: HCW in the Chicago area, USA Methods: Cohort participants were recruited in May/June 2020 for baseline serology testing (Abbott anti-Nucleocapsid IgG) and were then invited for follow-up serology testing 6 months later. Participants completed monthly online surveys which assessed demographics, medical history, COVID-19 illness, and exposures to SARS-CoV-2. The electronic medical record was used to identify SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity during follow-up. Serologic conversion and SARS-CoV-2 infection or possible reinfection rates (cases per 10,000 person*days) by antibody status at baseline and follow-up were assessed. Results: 6510 HCW were followed for a total of 1,285,395 person*days (median follow-up, 216 days). For participants who had baseline and follow-up serology checked, 285 (6.1%) of the 4681 seronegative participants at baseline seroconverted to positive at follow-up; 138 (48%) of the 263 who were seropositive at baseline were seronegative at follow-up. When analyzed by baseline serostatus alone, 519 (8.4%) of 6194 baseline seronegative cohort participants had a positive PCR after baseline serology testing (rate = 4.25/10,000 person days). Of 316 participants who were seropositive at baseline, 8 (2.5%) met criteria for possible SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (PCR+ more than 90 days after baseline serology) during follow-up representing a rate of 1.27/10,000 days at risk. The adjusted rate ratio for possible reinfection in baseline seropositive compared to infection in baseline seronegative participants was 0.26, (95%CI: 0.13 – 0.53). Conclusions: Seropositivity in HCWs is associated with moderate protection from future SARS-CoV-2 infection.

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Ofori-Asenso ◽  
Jenni Ilomaki ◽  
Mark Tacey ◽  
Andrea J. Curtis ◽  
Ella Zomer ◽  
...  

Objective: To examine the patterns of statin use and determine the 3-year adherence and discontinuation rates among a cohort of Australians aged ≥65 years with dementia. Methods: The yearly prevalence and incidence of statin use were compared via Poisson regression modeling using 2007 as the reference year. People with dementia were identified according to dispensing of antidementia medications. A cohort of 589 new statin users was followed longitudinally. Adherence was estimated via the proportion of days covered (PDC). Discontinuation was defined as ≥90 days without statin coverage. Results: The annual prevalence of statin use among older Australians with dementia increased from 20.6% in 2007 to 31.7% in 2016 (aged-sex adjusted rate ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-1.69). Among the new users, the proportion adherent (PDC ≥ 0.80) decreased from 60.3% at 6 months to 31.0% at 3 years. During the 3-year follow-up, 58.7% discontinued their statin. Conclusions: Despite increased use of statins among older Australians with dementia, adherence is low and discontinuation is high, which may point to intentional cessation.


BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Nevriana ◽  
Matthias Pierce ◽  
Christina Dalman ◽  
Susanne Wicks ◽  
Marie Hasselberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine the association between parental mental illness and the risk of injuries among offspring. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Swedish population based registers. Participants 1 542 000 children born in 1996-2011 linked to 893 334 mothers and 873 935 fathers. Exposures Maternal or paternal mental illness (non-affective psychosis, affective psychosis, alcohol or drug misuse, mood disorders, anxiety and stress related disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders) identified through linkage to inpatient or outpatient healthcare registers. Main outcome measures Risk of injuries (transport injury, fall, burn, drowning and suffocation, poisoning, violence) at ages 0-1, 2-5, 6-9, 10-12, and 13-17 years, comparing children of parents with mental illness and children of parents without mental illness, calculated as the rate difference and rate ratio adjusted for confounders. Results Children with parental mental illness contributed to 201 670.5 person years of follow-up, while children without parental mental illness contributed to 2 434 161.5 person years. Children of parents with mental illness had higher rates of injuries than children of parents without mental illness (for any injury at age 0-1, these children had an additional 2088 injuries per 100 000 person years; number of injuries for children with and without parental mental illness was 10 235 and 72 723, respectively). At age 0-1, the rate differences ranged from 18 additional transport injuries to 1716 additional fall injuries per 100 000 person years among children with parental mental illness compared with children without parental mental illness. A higher adjusted rate ratio for injuries was observed from birth through adolescence and the risk was highest during the first year of life (adjusted rate ratio at age 0-1 for the overall association between any parental mental illness that has been recorded in the registers and injuries 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 1.33). Adjusted rate ratios at age 0-1 ranged from 1.28 (1.24 to 1.32) for fall injuries to 3.54 (2.28 to 5.48) for violence related injuries. Common and serious maternal and paternal mental illness was associated with increased risk of injuries in children, and estimates were slightly higher for common mental disorders. Conclusions Parental mental illness is associated with increased risk of injuries among offspring, particularly during the first years of the child’s life. Efforts to increase access to parental support for parents with mental illness, and to recognise and treat perinatal mental morbidity in parents in secondary care might prevent child injury.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Mark Reinwald ◽  
Peter Markus Deckert ◽  
Oliver Ritter ◽  
Henrike Andresen ◽  
Andreas G. Schreyer ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to intensified exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the ongoing pandemic. We prospectively analyzed the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs at baseline and follow up with regard to clinical signs and symptoms in two university hospitals in Brandenburg, Germany. (2) Methods: Screening for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies was offered to HCWs at baseline and follow up two months thereafter in two hospitals of Brandenburg Medical School during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in an ongoing observational cohort study. Medical history and signs and symptoms were recorded by questionnaires and analyzed. (3) Results: Baseline seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA was 11.7% and increased to 15% at follow up, whereas IgG seropositivity was 2.1% at baseline and 2.2% at follow up. The rate of asymptomatic seropositive cases was 39.5%. Symptoms were not associated with general seropositivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2; however, class switch from IgA to IgG was associated with increased symptom burden. (4) Conclusions: The seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was low in HCWs but higher compared to population data and increased over time. Screening for antibodies detected a significant proportion of seropositive participants cases without symptoms.


Author(s):  
Po-Kai Yang ◽  
Chien-Chou Su ◽  
Chih-Hsin Hsu

AbstractIn Taiwan, the outcomes of acute limb ischemia have yet to be investigated in a standardized manner. In this study, we compared the safety, feasibility and outcomes of acute limb ischemia after surgical embolectomy or catheter-directed therapy in Taiwan. This study used data collected from the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database (NHID) and Cause of Death Data between the years 2000 and 2015. The rate ratio of all-cause in-hospital mortality and risk of amputation during the same period of hospital stay were estimated using Generalized linear models (GLM). There was no significant difference in mortality risk between CDT and surgical intervention (9.5% vs. 10.68%, adjusted rate ratio (95% CI): regression 1.0 [0.79–1.27], PS matching 0.92 [0.69–1.23]). The risk of amputation was also comparable between the two groups. (13.59% vs. 14.81%, adjusted rate ratio (95% CI): regression 0.84 [0.68–1.02], PS matching 0.92 [0.72–1.17]). Age (p < 0.001) and liver disease (p = 0.01) were associated with higher mortality risks. Heart failure (p = 0.03) and chronic or end-stage renal disease (p = 0.03) were associated with higher amputation risks. Prior antithrombotic agent use (p = 0.03) was associated with a reduced risk of amputation. Both surgical intervention and CDT are effective and feasible procedures for patients with ALI in Taiwan.


Author(s):  
Domenico Ponticelli ◽  
Fabiana Madotto ◽  
Sara Conti ◽  
Ippazio C. Antonazzo ◽  
Andrea Vitale ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study investigated the response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers (HCWs) in an Italian teaching hospital. 444 participants were surveyed with either multiple RT-PCR assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swabs or serology testing for the research of virus-specific immunoglobulins. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were reported. Two weeks after the first dose anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies exceeded reactivity cut-off in 82.5% the participants. Four HCWs tested positive at nasopharyngeal swab after 3 months. More than three-quarters reported AEFIs. Our findings offer an insight regarding the vaccine response after 3 months from its administration, with a special focus on effectiveness data, as well as the type and number of AEFIs complained by HCW recipients. The presented study may serve as reference for future research which will be necessary to explore the long-term safety of this vaccine, especially in population at high risk for infection, such as HCWs.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3922-3922
Author(s):  
Maurille A. Feudjo-Tepie ◽  
Susan A. Hall ◽  
John W. Logie ◽  
Noah J. Robinson ◽  
Dimitri Bennett

Abstract ITP is a disease caused by inadequate platelet production as well as increased platelet destruction. Oral systemic steroids are recommended as first-line treatment. Prolonged use of oral steroids in other disease populations has been associated with an approximately two-fold increase in the risk of developing a cataract. This study aimed to quantify the underlying risk of cataracts among ITP patients compared with non-ITP patients. Using the GPRD, a retrospective matched cohort study was conducted in which each ITP patient newly diagnosed between 1992 and 2005 and age 18 years or older was matched to 5 non-ITP patients on gender, age, practice and duration of follow-up. ITP patients and cataract events were identified using specific Read/Oxmis disease codes and validated by a clinical epidemiologist. The exposure of interest was oral steroid use and the primary outcome was cataracts (recorded as cataracts or cataract surgery). Patients with a history of cataracts were not excluded from the study. Potential covariates of interest were diabetes, schizophrenia, glaucoma, splenectomy and hypertension. The risk of cataracts was quantified using incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and, the difference between groups was estimated using a rate ratio and 95% CI. All analyses were further stratified by age and gender. Adjusted rate ratios were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Seven hundred sixty ITP patients were identified, 745 (98%) of whom had 5 matched controls. The entire sample had a mean age of 56.4 years and 60.1% were female. Among ITP patients, users of oral steroids had a cataract incidence rate of 14.0 per 1000 person-years (PY) (95% CI: 8.7 – 21.4) and non steroid users 6.1 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 2.7 – 11.4). In the non-ITP population, these figures were 16.9 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 11.9 – 23.3) and 9.2 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 7.6 – 11.0), respectively. The incidence of cataracts was observed to increase with age. Adjusting for steroid use and other factors, the risk of cataracts was similar in the ITP and non-ITP populations (adjusted rate ratio 0.8, 95% CI: 0.5 – 1.2) whereas, oral steroid use was associated with an increased risk of cataracts in both ITP and non ITP populations (adjusted rate ratio 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.2). There was no evidence of increased risk with either inhaled steroids, or intranasal steroids. As expected, our study shows that the use of oral steroids is associated with an increased risk of cataracts in both ITP and non-ITP populations. However, we found no evidence of a difference in the risk of cataracts between an ITP and a matched non-ITP population.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vânia Gaio ◽  
Adriana Silva ◽  
Palmira Amaral ◽  
João Faro Viana ◽  
Pedro Pinto Leite ◽  
...  

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCW) were amongst the first prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination but data on COVID–19 vaccine effectiveness among HCW is still limited. This study aims to estimate the COVID–19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS–CoV–2 symptomatic infection among HCW from Portuguese hospitals. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we analysed data from HCW (all professional categories) from two central hospitals in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Centre regions of mainland Portugal between December 2020 and November 2021. VE against symptomatic SARS–CoV–2 infection was estimated as one minus the confounder adjusted hazard ratios by Cox models considering age group, sex, presence of chronic disease and occupational exposure to patients diagnosed with COVID–19 as adjustment variables. Results: During the 11 months of follow up, the 2213 HCW contributed a total of 1950 person-years at risk and 171 SARS–CoV–2 events occurred. The COVID–19 incidence rate for unvaccinated HCW was 348.7 per 1000 person-years while for fully vaccinated HCW was 43.0 per 1000 person-years. We observed a VE against symptomatic SARS–CoV–2 infection of 73.9% (95% CI: 26.2–90.8%) for complete vaccination status. Conclusion: This cohort study found a high COVID-19 VE against symptomatic SARS–CoV–2 infection in Portuguese HCW, which is in concordance with previous studies from other countries. Monitoring of VE in this HCW cohort continues during the winter 2021/2022 to evaluate potential VE decay and booster vaccine effect. Keywords: Vaccine effectiveness, SARS–CoV–2 , COVID–19, symptomatic infection, healthcare workers.


Author(s):  
Thomas Bénet ◽  
Sélilah Amour ◽  
Martine Valette ◽  
Mitra Saadatian-Elahi ◽  
Ludwig Serge Aho-Glélé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Influenza is an important cause of viral hospital-acquired infection involving patients, healthcare workers (HCW), and visitors. The frequency of asymptomatic influenza among HCW with possible subsequent transmission is poorly described. The objective is to determine the cumulative incidence of asymptomatic, paucisymptomatic, and symptomatic influenza among HCW. Method A multicenter prospective cohort study was done in 5 French university hospitals, including 289 HCW during the 2016–2017 influenza season. HCW had 3 physical examinations (time [T] 0, before epidemic onset; T.1, before epidemic peak; T.2, T.3, after epidemic peak). A blood sample was taken each time for influenza serology and a nasal swab was collected at T1 and T2 for influenza detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive influenza was defined as either a positive influenza PCR, and/or virus-specific seroconversion against influenza A, the only circulating virus, with no vaccination record during follow-up. Symptoms were self-reported daily between T1 and T2. Cumulative incidence of influenza was stratified by clinical presentation per 100 HCW. Results Of the 289 HCW included, 278 (96%) completed the entire follow-up. Overall, 62 HCW had evidence of influenza of whom 46.8% were asymptomatic, 41.9% were paucisymptomatic, and 11.3% were symptomatic. Cumulative influenza incidence was 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.4%–27.2%). Cumulative incidence of asymptomatic influenza was 5.8% (95% CI: 3.3%–9.2%), 13.7% (95% CI: 9.9%–18.2%) for paucisymptomatic influenza, and 2.9% (95% CI: 1.3%–5.5%) for symptomatic influenza. Conclusions Asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic influenza were frequent among HCW, representing 47% and 42% of the influenza burden, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of systematic implementation of infection control measures among HCW regardless of respiratory symptoms from preventing nosocomial transmission of influenza. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02868658.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. Barrett ◽  
Daniel B. Horton ◽  
Jason Roy ◽  
Maria Laura Gennaro ◽  
Andrew Brooks ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCW) are presumed to be at increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure to infected patients. However, there has been little epidemiological research to assess these risks. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of HCW (n = 546) and non-healthcare workers (NHCW; n = 283) with no known prior SARS-CoV-2 infection who were recruited from a large U.S. university and two affiliated university hospitals. In this cross-sectional analysis of data collected at baseline, we examined SARS-CoV-2 infection status (as determined by presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in oropharyngeal swabs) by healthcare worker status and role. Results At baseline, 41 (5.0%) of the participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, of whom 14 (34.2%) reported symptoms. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher among HCW (7.3%) than in NHCW (0.4%), representing a 7.0% greater absolute risk (95% confidence interval for risk difference 4.7, 9.3%). The majority of infected HCW (62.5%) were nurses. Positive tests increased across the two weeks of cohort recruitment in line with rising confirmed cases in the hospitals and surrounding counties. Conclusions Overall, our results demonstrate that HCW had a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection than NHCW. Continued follow-up of this cohort will enable us to monitor infection rates and examine risk factors for transmission.


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