scholarly journals Associations of Medications With Lower Odds of Typical COVID-19 Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Symptom Surveillance Study

10.2196/22521 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e22521
Author(s):  
Dietmar Urbach ◽  
Friedemann Awiszus ◽  
Sven Leiß ◽  
Tamsin Venton ◽  
Alexander Vincent De Specht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Statin Therapy ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Postal Code ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Background As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe, the search for an effective medication to treat the symptoms of COVID-19 continues as well. It would be desirable to identify a medication that is already in use for another condition and whose side effect profile and safety data are already known and approved. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different medications on typical COVID-19 symptoms by using data from an online surveillance survey. Methods Between early April and late-July 2020, a total of 3654 individuals in Lower Saxony, Germany, participated in an online symptom-tracking survey conducted through the app covid-nein-danke.de. The questionnaire comprised items on typical COVID-19 symptoms, age range, gender, employment in patient-facing healthcare, housing status, postal code, previous illnesses, permanent medication, vaccination status, results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antibody tests for COVID-19 diagnosis, and consequent COVID-19 treatment if applicable. Odds ratio estimates with corresponding 95% CIs were computed for each medication and symptom by using logistic regression models. Results Data analysis suggested a statistically significant inverse relationship between typical COVID-19 symptoms self-reported by the participants and self-reported statin therapy and, to a lesser extent, antihypertensive therapy. When COVID-19 diagnosis was based on restrictive symptom criteria (ie, presence of 4 out of 7 symptoms) or a positive RT-PCR test, a statistically significant association was found solely for statins (odds ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.1-0.78). Conclusions Individuals taking statin medication are more likely to have asymptomatic COVID-19, in which case they may be at an increased risk of transmitting the disease unknowingly. We suggest that the results of this study be incorporated into symptoms-based surveillance and decision-making protocols in regard to COVID-19 management. Whether statin therapy has a beneficial effect in combating COVID-19 cannot be deduced based on our findings and should be investigated by further study. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022185; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022185; World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform U1111-1252-6946

scholarly journals Associations of Medications With Lower Odds of Typical COVID-19 Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Symptom Surveillance Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietmar Urbach ◽  
Friedemann Awiszus ◽  
Sven Leiß ◽  
Tamsin Venton ◽  
Alexander Vincent De Specht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Statin Therapy ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Postal Code ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Increased Risk

BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe, the search for an effective medication to treat the symptoms of COVID-19 continues as well. It would be desirable to identify a medication that is already in use for another condition and whose side effect profile and safety data are already known and approved. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different medications on typical COVID-19 symptoms by using data from an online surveillance survey. METHODS Between early April and late-July 2020, a total of 3654 individuals in Lower Saxony, Germany, participated in an online symptom-tracking survey conducted through the app covid-nein-danke.de. The questionnaire comprised items on typical COVID-19 symptoms, age range, gender, employment in patient-facing healthcare, housing status, postal code, previous illnesses, permanent medication, vaccination status, results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antibody tests for COVID-19 diagnosis, and consequent COVID-19 treatment if applicable. Odds ratio estimates with corresponding 95% CIs were computed for each medication and symptom by using logistic regression models. RESULTS Data analysis suggested a statistically significant inverse relationship between typical COVID-19 symptoms self-reported by the participants and self-reported statin therapy and, to a lesser extent, antihypertensive therapy. When COVID-19 diagnosis was based on restrictive symptom criteria (ie, presence of 4 out of 7 symptoms) or a positive RT-PCR test, a statistically significant association was found solely for statins (odds ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.1-0.78). CONCLUSIONS Individuals taking statin medication are more likely to have asymptomatic COVID-19, in which case they may be at an increased risk of transmitting the disease unknowingly. We suggest that the results of this study be incorporated into symptoms-based surveillance and decision-making protocols in regard to COVID-19 management. Whether statin therapy has a beneficial effect in combating COVID-19 cannot be deduced based on our findings and should be investigated by further study. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022185; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022185; World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform U1111-1252-6946

scholarly journals Eastern Cape Healthcare Workers Acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 (ECHAS): Cross-Sectional (Nested Cohort) Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi ◽  
David Stead ◽  
Mandisa Singata-Madliki ◽  
Joanne Batting ◽  
Leo Hyera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection by the virulent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though data exist on the positivity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test as well as COVID-19-related deaths amongst HCWs in South Africa, the overall infection rate remains underestimated by these indicators. It is also unclear whether the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection offers durable protection against reinfection. This study will assess the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence amongst HCWs in the Eastern Cape (EC) and examine the longitudinal changes (rate of decay) in the antibody levels after infection in this cohort. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling of healthcare workers in selected health facilities in the EC, a cross-sectional study of 2250 participants will be recruited. In order to assess the community infection rate, 750 antenatal women in the same settings will be recruited. Relevant demographic and clinical characteristics will be obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. A chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) will be used for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. A nested cohort study will be conducted by performing eight-weekly antibody assays (X2) from 201 participants who tested positive for both SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology. Logistic regression models will be fitted to identify the independent risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and infection fatality rate among the frontline HCWs will be estimated. In addition, the study will highlight the overall effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures (IPC) per exposure sites/wards at the selected health facilities. Findings will inform the South African Department of Health’s policies on how to protect HCWs better as the country prepares for the second wave of the SARS-CoV pandemic.

scholarly journals Risk for mental illness and family composition after migration to Sweden

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251254
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Mangrio ◽  
Karin Sjöström ◽  
Mathias Grahn ◽  
Slobodan Zdravkovic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Structures ◽  
Significant Odds Ratio ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Arabic Speaking

Objectives The aim of the present study is to determine how marital status and certain post-migration family structures are associated with the risk of mental illness among recently arrived Arabic- speaking refugees in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015 and 2016. The study population was recruited by inviting all adult refugees who participated in the mandatory public integration support programme. All refugees that participated had received refugee status. A total of 681 of the invited participants returned the GHQ-12 questionnaires, through which the risk for mental illness was measured and only Arabic- speaking refugees (N = 638) were included in the analyses. Results Marital status per se was not associated with a risk for mental illness. However, for the whole study sample there was a statistical significant odds ratio of 1.72 (95% CI 1.03–2.86). For male Arabic-speaking refugees with a spouse or child left behind in the home country there was a borderline significant increased risk for mental illness, odds ratio = 1. 87 (95% CI 0.99–3.56). The risk for female Arabic-speaking refugees was non-significant, odds ratio = 1.35 (95% CI 0.55–3.33). Conclusions Arabic- speaking refugees who were separated from family members reported an increased risk for mental illness after arriving in the host country. Actions to facilitate family reunion after arriving as a refugee (in Sweden) seems to be an important factor to promote mental health among refugees.

Musculoskeletal Pain and Impact on Performance in Orchestra Musicians and Actors

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
K Engquist ◽  
P Ørbaek ◽  
K Jakobsson
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Prevalence Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

We studied the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on performance in orchestra musicians and in a reference group of actors, who share the mental stress in a performance situation, but without having the physical work load from an instrument. Swedish musicians (n = 103) from symphony and chamber orchestras and actors (n = 106) participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by a further developed Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The impact of pain on performance (pain affecting playing capacity, decreased playing time, and change of technique) and trouble-related sick leave also was assessed. Pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scales. Musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulders was the most frequently reported problem, with similar prevalence among musicians and actors, around 25% for present pain and 20% for chronic pain (1-year prevalence). Around 10% of the musicians and 5% of the actors reported pain in the hands. Oral pain was reported by 12% of the musicians and 18% of the actors. The number of affected body regions and the intensity of pain were similar in the study groups. The musicians had an increased risk for pain affecting playing capacity. For the neck, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) was 3.0 (95%CI 1.2-7.2; adjusted for age and gender). String instrumentalists had higher risk estimates than nonstring instrumentalists. A gender difference was not observed. Pain in the oral region affecting playing capacity was less common in musicians, with a prevalence odds ratio of 0.4 (95%CI 0.1-0.8). Even though the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was similar in the two groups of performing artists, the consequences for the work situation were more serious among musicians.

scholarly journals Methods, transparency and reporting of clinical trials in orthodontics and periodontics

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon N Papageorgiou ◽  
Georgios N Antonoglou ◽  
Conchita Martin ◽  
Theodore Eliades
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Sample Size Calculation ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Adequate Sample Size ◽  
Bibliographic Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the methods, reporting and transparency of clinical trials in orthodontics and compare them to the field of periodontics, as a standard within dentistry. Design/setting: Cross-sectional bibliographic study Methods: A total of 300 trials published in 2017–2018 and evenly distributed in orthodontics and periodontics were selected, assessed and analysed statistically to explore key aspects of the conduct and reporting of orthodontic clinical trials compared to trials in periodontics. Results: Several aspects are often neglected in orthodontic and periodontic trials and could be improved upon, including use of statistical expertise (22.3% of assessed trials), blinding of outcome assessors (62.3%), prospective trial registration (12.0%), adequate sample size calculation (35.7%), adherence to CONSORT (14.3%) and open data sharing (4.3%). The prevalence of statistically significant findings among orthodontic and periodontic trials was 62.3%, which was significantly associated with several methodological traits like statistician involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.3–0.9), blind outcome assessor (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2–1.0), lack of prospective trial registration (OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.3–5.9) and non-adherence to CONSORT (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.3–15.8). Conclusions: Although trials in orthodontics seem to be significantly worse compared to periodontics in aspects like trial registration, adherence to CONSORT and declaration of competing interests or financial support, their methods do seem to have improved considerably in recent years.

scholarly journals Psychosis in children of separated parents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Ayerbe ◽  
María Pérez-Piñar ◽  
Quintí Foguet-Boreu ◽  
Salma Ayis
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Parental Separation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies

Abstract Background. Parental separation is a very common childhood adversity. The association between other adverse childhood experiences and an increased risk of psychosis has been reported. However, the evidence on the risk of psychosis for children of separated parents is limited. In this systematic review, cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies, comparing the risk of psychotic disorders for people with and without separated parents, were searched, critically appraised, and summarized. Methods. Studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Web of Science, from database inception to September 2019. A meta-analysis, using random-effects models, was undertaken to obtain pooled estimates of the risk of psychosis among participants with separated parents. Results. Twelve studies, with 305,652 participants from 22 countries, were included in the review. A significantly increased risk of psychosis for those with separated parents was observed, with a pooled odds ratio: 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–1.76), p < 0.001. The association remained significant when cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies were analyzed separately. The five cohort studies included in this review showed and increased risk of psychosis with odds ratio: 1.47 (95% CI: 1.26–1.69), p < 0.001. Conclusions. Parental separation is a common childhood adversity associated with an increased risk of psychosis. Although the risk for an individual child of separated parents is still low, given the high proportion of couple that separate, the increased rates of psychosis may be substantial in the population. Further studies on the risk of psychosis in those with separated parents, and the explanatory factors for this association, are required.

scholarly journals Association of cleft lip and palate on mother-to-infant bonding: a cross-sectional study in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinobu Tsuchiya ◽  
◽  
Masahiro Tsuchiya ◽  
Haruki Momma ◽  
Takeyoshi Koseki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Cleft lip and/or palate is among the most prevalent congenital birth defects, and negatively affects maternal psychological status and may consequently result in higher prevalence of child maltreatment. However, the association of childbirths of infants with cleft lip and/or palate with maternal emotional involvement still remains unclear. We examined the association between childbirths of infants with cleft lip and/or palate and mother-to-infant bonding, using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a nationwide birth cohort study. Methods A cross-sectional study using the jecs-an-20,180,131 dataset was performed. A total 104,065 fetuses in 15 regional centres in Japan were enrolled after obtaining informed written consent. The Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale, a self-report scale consisting of 10 items, was used to evaluate maternal bonding at one year after childbirth. Finally, the participants consisted of 79,140 mother-infant pairs, of which 211 mothers of infants with cleft lip and/or palate were included in our analyses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis using multiple imputation for missing data was performed to calculate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval in the estimation of the association between bonding disorders and childbirths with cleft lip and/or palate. Results No increased risk of bonding disorders was observed among all the mothers of infants with cleft lip and/or palate (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; 0.97 [0.63–1.48], p = 0.880), however, advanced maternal age or multiple parity may adversely affect the associations between bonding disorders and cleft lip and/or palate, respectively. After stratification with a combination of maternal age and parity, a significant association of cleft lip and/or palate with bonding disorders was found only among advanced-age multiparae (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.51 [1.17–5.37], p = 0.018), but it was weakened after additional adjustment for maternal depression. Conclusions Childbirths of infants with cleft lip and/or palate may increase the risk of bonding disorders among advanced-age multiparae, possibly through maternal depression. This finding provides valuable information for the provision of multidisciplinary cleft care.

scholarly journals The association of gout with an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among stroke survivors in New Zealand: A cross-sectional study using routinely collected electronic health data

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204800401986323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Eufemia D San Gabriel ◽  
Julia Slark
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Background There is a paucity of data relating to the association of gout with the occurrence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in patients with stroke. This study aimed to determine the association of gout with the risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in a cohort of stroke patients from Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among stroke survivors in South and East Auckland, New Zealand from the years 2010 to 2014. Electronic health record data were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Multivariate logistic regression modelling adjusted for age, gender, and ethnicity was conducted to determine the association of gout with the risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in patients discharged with a diagnosis of stroke. Results The age-, gender-, and ethnicity-adjusted odds ratio for having hypertension and diabetes mellitus among stroke survivors with gout history were 3.25 (95% confidence interval 1.32–8.03) and 1.94 (95% confidence interval 1.12–3.36), respectively. Māori stroke survivors with gout history had the highest risk of having diabetes mellitus with age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio of 5.10 (95% confidence interval 1.90–18.93). Conclusion The findings from this study suggest gout may be independently associated with an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in patients with stroke. Māori who are the indigenous population of New Zealand show a greater risk of diabetes mellitus associated with a gout diagnosis compared to other populations. This finding highlights the importance of the need for further research with Māori stroke survivors and other indigenous populations.

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