scholarly journals COVID-19 and Slums: A Pandemic Highlights Gaps in Knowledge About Urban Poverty (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Friesen ◽  
Peter F Pelz
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

UNSTRUCTURED According to the United Nations, about 1 billion persons live in so-called slums. Numerous studies have shown that this population is particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emphatically underlines this problem. The often high-density living quarters coupled with a large number of persons per dwelling and the lack of adequate sanitation are reasons why measures to contain the pandemic only work to a limited extent in slums. Furthermore, assignment to risk groups for severe courses of COVID-19 caused by noncommunicable diseases (eg, cardiovascular diseases) is not possible due to inadequate data availability. Information on people living in slums and their health status is either unavailable or only exists for specific regions (eg, Nairobi). We argue that one of the greatest problems with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of slums in the Global South is the lack of data on the number of people, their living conditions, and their health status.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Slums: A Pandemic Highlights Gaps in Knowledge About Urban Poverty

10.2196/19578 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e19578
Author(s):  
John Friesen ◽  
Peter F Pelz
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

According to the United Nations, about 1 billion persons live in so-called slums. Numerous studies have shown that this population is particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emphatically underlines this problem. The often high-density living quarters coupled with a large number of persons per dwelling and the lack of adequate sanitation are reasons why measures to contain the pandemic only work to a limited extent in slums. Furthermore, assignment to risk groups for severe courses of COVID-19 caused by noncommunicable diseases (eg, cardiovascular diseases) is not possible due to inadequate data availability. Information on people living in slums and their health status is either unavailable or only exists for specific regions (eg, Nairobi). We argue that one of the greatest problems with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of slums in the Global South is the lack of data on the number of people, their living conditions, and their health status.

scholarly journals Questionnaire for initial self-assessment in post-COVID period: Recommendations of Multidisciplinary expert board on screening of post-COVID syndrome during an expanded medical check-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-612
Author(s):  
Alexander G. Chuchalin ◽  
Alexander S. Ametov ◽  
Gregory P. Arutyunov ◽  
Oksana M. Drapkina ◽  
Mikhail Yu. Martynov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Examination ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Patient Questionnaire ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Symptom Complex ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The post-COVID symptom complex is wide enough and requires special vigilance during clinical examination of patients after the novel coronavirus infection. The aim of the Multidisciplinary Expert Board study was to develop a standardized questionnaire for initial self-assessment by patients who had had COVID-19 before the expanded medical check-up.Methods. The existing validated international and national questionnaires and scales were analyzed to assess their relevance, convenience, and ease of filling out. Results of the analysis were used to set up a screening for post-COVID symptoms.Results. The work of the Multidisciplinary Expert Board in June-August 2021 resulted in a new screening questionnaire for the initial assessment of the health status of patients who have COVID-19. The questionnaire is intended for self-filling before the further clinical examination.Conclusion. A new standardized patient questionnaire to screen for post-COVID symptoms may significantly optimize the doctor’s working time, increase the efficiency of diagnosis, improve the principles of selection and formation of risk groups of patients during an expanded medical check-up.

scholarly journals Medical Tourism Markets: Models of Sustainability. The Case of Spain and The Costa del Sol (Malaga)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8818
Author(s):  
Ricardo Pagan ◽  
Daniel Horsfall
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Domestic Industry ◽  
Competitive Prices ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Near Future

The interest and relevance of medical tourism has increased significantly over the last few decades, and it has become a very lucrative source of income and profit for many firms. This paper analyses the sustainability of the medical tourism model in Spain in general, and in The Costa del Sol (Spain) in particular, in order to investigate the potential challenges that the domestic industry will face in the future. For this purpose, we first analysed the process of the globalization of health services and the main characteristics of the Spanish medical tourism industry (in terms of tourism and health services). Second, we examined the data availability on medical tourism for the cases of Spain, Andalusia and The Costa del Sol, and identified who travels, why, and for what reasons. The results show that Spain and The Costa del Sol offer high-quality medical and tourism facilities and services with very competitive prices, and with the high commitment and support of public local authorities, tourism and health providers, and universities. However, the lack of a real leadership, well-defined strategy, financial support, and specific training programs are considered to be crucial challenges for the near future. In addition to this, the novel coronavirus, the economic crisis, Brexit and the situation of British expats living in Spain and The Costa del sol are also discussed.

scholarly journals Challenges for a Cancer Center in the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153303382094577
Author(s):  
Xiao Shan Wang ◽  
Ming Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Inpatient Treatment ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Cross Infection ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Tertiary Cancer Center

Introduction: The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is sweeping through China, posing the greatest ever threat to its public health and economy. As a tertiary cancer center in Southwest China, we formulated and implemented an anti-infection protocol to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 in our department. Methods: The anti-infection protocol divided patients into 3 categories, namely outpatients, inpatients, and patients receiving radiation therapy at our cancer center, and each category had a distinct anti-infection protocol to minimize the risk of Coronavirus disease 2019 transmission. In each category, the patients were classified into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups. Each risk group was managed differently. A survey of patient volume changes prior to and during the Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak was performed. Results: We carried out the anti-infection protocol at our cancer center during the Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. We found that the total volume of both outpatient visits and inpatient treatment declined significantly depending on the conditions of each group. Radiation therapy and palliative service had the lowest and highest volume reductions at 58.3% and 100%, respectively. The decline in outpatient volumes was higher than the decline in inpatient treatment services (78.8% vs 71.8%). There was no Coronavirus disease 2019 cross-infection at our center, or Coronavirus disease 2019–related injury or death. The anti-infection protocol measures continue to be taken at the hospital even today but they have been modified depending on the prevalent local conditions. Conclusions: Challenges from the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic remain in our community. The anti-infection protocol implemented at our cancer center has been effective in preventing cross-infection. Whether our anti-infection protocol experience can be applied to curb the spread of the infection in other parts of the world remains to be tested.

scholarly journals Chest MRI of a pregnant woman with COVID-19 pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Yuriy A. Vasilev ◽  
Alexander V. Bazhin ◽  
Amir G. Masri ◽  
Yulia N. Vasileva ◽  
Olga Yu. Panina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Woman ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Lung Condition ◽  
Pulmonary Pathology ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Bilateral Lesions ◽  
Pcr Test

This paper presents a clinical case of a 39-year-old pregnant woman with respiratory signs of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 infection. Chest MRI showed bilateral lesions in basal segments. The PCR test was positive. A lung condition was assessed without loss of significant diagnostic information. Besides that, the absence of exposure to ionizing radiation allowed to avoid a high loading dose on the patient and the fetus. This case reveals potential opportunities of MRI in the diagnosis of pulmonary pathology without exposure to ionizing radiation, especially in patient risk groups (children, pregnant women, etc.).

scholarly journals Problem of Drug Interactions in the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 and Comorbid Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
R. M. Aramisova ◽  
Z. A. Kambachokova ◽  
Z. A. Akhkubekova ◽  
L. L. Logvina ◽  
M. M. Sarbasheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Cardiac Pathology ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The article discusses the issues of drug interactions in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with concomitant cardiovascular diseases. It was revealed, that the most frequent comorbid background in patients with COVID-19 is cardiac pathology. Cardiac arrhythmias are observed in many cases, which can be aggravated by the proarrhythmogenic effect of drugs used to treat the novel coronavirus disease.

scholarly journals Investigation and Analysis of the Sub-health Status of the Members of the Medical Team Aiding Wuhan During the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19) Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meixian Zhang ◽  
Haoyuan Chen ◽  
Chen Huang ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
Dihui Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Objective: To understand the sub-health status of the medical team members of the aid to Wuhan during the outbreak of the new coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China, to analyze the possible influencing factors that cause the sub-health status, and to provide a theoretical basis for scientifically maintaining and improving the physical and mental health of the medical team members.Methods: 131 members of the military medical team aiding Wuhan who were treating patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia were selected as subjects in the survey, and a questionnaire on the sub-health influencing factors was designed. After the medical treatment task, the SHMS V1.0 was used for assessment.Results: The sub-health detection rate of the medical team members was 76.3%, and the overall sub-health rating scale score was (69.11 ± 10.20) points. The scores of the three subscales of physiology, psychology, and society are (71.16 ± 11.30) points, (67.99 ± 13.51) points, and (67.41 ± 12.31) points, respectively. Work pressure, family structure, frustration, and diet may be the influence factors of the sub-health. Conclusion: During the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, factors such as high-intensity work, non-nuclear families, low hobbies, and irregular diet may lead to the sub-healthy state of the members of the medical aid team in Wuhan. Reasonable arrangements for work and rest, maintaining harmonious family relations, focusing on the development of interests and hobbies, and healthy and regular diet, will help maintain and improve the health of medical team members, consolidate and maintain the combat effectiveness of medical team members, and complete epidemic prevention and control tasks with high quality and efficiency.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Mini-Review: D614G Mutation as an Independent Risk-Factor to the Expression of ACE2 and DPP4 Associated Increased Severity in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1175-1186
Author(s):  
Siti Asmaa Mat Jusoh ◽  
Parisa Foroozandeh ◽  
Yan Fen Lee ◽  
Mardani Abdul Halim ◽  
Manoj Kumar Laskmanan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Groups ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
The People ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Cluster Of Differentiation

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has struck more than 99 million people worldwide and had claimed more than 2 million lives as of 23 January 2021, which affecting 221 countries/nations. Until now, the pandemic has not shown signals of slowing down, with no proven vaccine in sight. People are speculating on this unprecedented event. It is well documented that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spiked S1 glycoprotein directly bind angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP4) or CD26 (cluster of differentiation 26) receptors lead to their entry. The latest evidence demonstrated that SAR-CoV-2 possesses genetic heterogeneity, lead to the existence of a new SAR-CoV-2 variant, such as D614G encoded the spiked S1. The mutation involved changes in amino acid sequence of D (aspartic acid) into G (guanine) at position 614. D614G was reported to confer high infectivity and became the dominant form of the virus globally. Interestingly, current evidence found that D614G protein increases its infectivity dependent on the ACE2 receptor, and its co-binding receptor, DPP4. This proclaims implied to COVID-19 high-risk groups; the aging population and the people with comorbidities; hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, which constituted the most of lethal cases, that overexpressed ACE2 and DPP4. The review aims to find an association between COVID-19 infectivity and severity relating to D614G mutation with the expression of ACE2 or DPP4 in these groups. We proposed that D614G mutation and expressions of ACE2 and DPP4 were mutually inclusive for increase infectivity, but not severity in COVID-19’s patients.

scholarly journals Assessment of a Comparative Bayesian-Enhanced Population-Based Decision Model for COVID-19 Critical Care Prediction in Dominican Republic Social Security Affiliates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amado Alejandro Baez ◽  
Oscar Lopez ◽  
Maria del Pilar Martinez ◽  
Pedro Ramirez-Slaibe ◽  
Leticia Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 is a major health concern worldwide. The objective was to develop a Bayesian model to predict critical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Methods: Sensitivity and specificity were obtained from previous meta-analysis. Using the IVC-COV2 index as pretest probability, likelihood ratios were integrated in a Fagan nomogram for posttest probabilities, generating IVC-COV2 + NEWS and CURB-65 scores values. Absolute and Relative Diagnostic Gains (ADG, RDG) were calculated. Results: The IVC-COV2 index was derived from a population of 1,055,746 individuals and based on mortality divided into high (71.97%) Intermediate (26.11%) and low (1.91%) risk groups. Integrating the IVC-COV2 intermediate + NEWS≥5 and CURB-65 >2 score models found that the Number Needed to Diagnose demonstrated a slight improvement for the CURB-65 model [2.00 (2) vs 2.71(3)]. When comparing diagnostic gains, no statistical differences were found on the IVC-CoV2 NEWS model compared to the CURB-65 model in both LR+ (P=0.62) and LR- (P=0.95). Conclusion: This mathematical model proposed that the combination of a IVC-COV2 Intermediate score plus NEWS or CURB-65 scores yields superior results and a greater predictive value for severity of illness. To our knowledge this is the first population-based/mathematical model for COVID-19 Critical Care decision making.

scholarly journals The impact of current and future control measures on the spread of COVID-19 in Germany

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vittoria Barbarossa ◽  
Jan Fuhrmann ◽  
Jan H. Meinke ◽  
Stefan Krieg ◽  
Hridya Vinod Varma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

AbstractThe novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), identified in China at the end of December 2019 and causing the disease COVID-19, has meanwhile led to outbreaks all over the globe with about 2.2 million confirmed cases and more than 150,000 deaths as of April 17, 2020 [37]. In view of most recent information on testing activity [32], we present here an update of our initial work [4]. In this work, mathematical models have been developed to study the spread of COVID-19 among the population in Germany and to asses the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Systems of differential equations of SEIR type are extended here to account for undetected infections, as well as for stages of infections and age groups. The models are calibrated on data until April 5, data from April 6 to 14 are used for model validation. We simulate different possible strategies for the mitigation of the current outbreak, slowing down the spread of the virus and thus reducing the peak in daily diagnosed cases, the demand for hospitalization or intensive care units admissions, and eventually the number of fatalities. Our results suggest that a partial (and gradual) lifting of introduced control measures could soon be possible if accompanied by further increased testing activity, strict isolation of detected cases and reduced contact to risk groups.

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