The Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chronic Care Patients

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and pervasive impact on psychosocial health and disrupted care systems world-wide. Our research aims to assess the psychosocial impact of the pandemic and related changes in chronic care provision on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure.DesignA qualitative survey using semi-structured interviews was held among patients with COPD and heart failure.Setting and ParticipantsUsing randomized sampling, 23 patients with COPD, heart failure, or both were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were held by phone or videocall. The survey was held during the summer of 2021, when strict national containment strategies were widely implemented but gradually loosened and vaccination was ongoing.MethodsInductive coding using Gioia's approach was used to analyze the data in Atlas.Ti 9.1 software. Using an iterative approach, the data were synthesized in a data structure and data table, which was analyzed using an interpretative approach.ResultsWe found 3 aggregate dimensions in which the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on psychosocial health of patients with chronic disease: (1) perceived vulnerability to disease, (2) influence of health policy, and (3) a mismatch of supply and demand of health care. In these dimensions, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis was found to have a negative impact on psychosocial well-being, compounded by national strategies to contain the pandemic and a disruption of chronic care for patients.Conclusions and ImplicationsHealth care providers should be aware of a multidimensional nature of psychosocial distress for chronic disease patients due to the COVID-19 crisis. Future practice and health policy could be improved by increasing awareness among health care providers, promote regular attention for psychosocial well-being of patients, provision of clear information related to the pandemic, and strategies to secure continuity of care. Results of this study might be further explored in larger studies.     

The Impact of Nutrition on the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant morbidity, mortality, social and financial implications for the global population. Despite this knowledge, we still know very little about how COVID-19 infection affects quality of life resulting from changes in nutritional behaviour and, conversely, how nutrition could modulate the epidemiology of COVID-19. In addition, the social isolation most have experienced due to the regulations imposed by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic may have also had effects on our nutritional behaviour. It is possible that nutritional interventions may have effects on the incidence of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current status of research on the topic of nutrition as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.     

COVID-19-Related Quarantine Effect on Dietary Habits in a Northern Italian Rural Population: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study

North of Italy was severely hit by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 19) pandemic. This induced the government to adopt severely restrictive measures to reduce the contagion risk, forcing most of the population to stop working and from leisure activities, and to remain at home for several weeks. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-related quarantine on smoking and dietary habits of a well-characterized northern Italian rural population. For this purpose, while lockdown restrictions were in place (February–April 2020), 359 subjects from the Brisighella Heart Study cohort underwent a phone interview about their lifestyle habit changes during COVID-19-related quarantine. Quarantine did not significantly modify smoking habit nor body mass index. Subjects significantly increased daily carbohydrates consumption, all fresh vegetables, healthy vegetable oils, milk and yogurt, alcoholic drinks, sugars and sweets, and coffee. The weekly consumption of low-fat meat, cured meat other than ham, cheeses, eggs, nuts and mixed seed oils significantly increased, while the weekly intake of fish, mussels, and legumes significantly decreased during lockdown. The Dietary Quality Index was reduced from 42.4 ± 4.1 to 37.8 ± 4.7 (p < 0.03). In accordance with our findings, COVID-19-related quarantine might worsen the quality of diet, also leading to an increased intake of almost all food categories.     

新冠疫情期间检疫隔离人群焦虑和抑郁状况调查研究

目的了解新冠病毒疫情期间检疫隔离群体心理状况,为心理干预提供参考。方法调查纳入2020年4月7日-5月26日期间由境外或重点疫区进入深圳的定点酒店检疫隔离人员,隔离人员需在隔离开始24 h内完成心理筛查。共收集调查问卷2219份,最后得到1705人填写的合格问卷,有效回收率为76.8%。采用健康问卷抑郁量表(PHQ-9)、广泛性焦虑量表(GAD-7)对检疫隔离人群进行心理问题筛查,统计方法包括t检验、方差分析及Pearson相关性分析、Logistic回归等。结果检疫隔离者抑郁、焦虑的检出率分别是15.8%、14.8%,多元Logistic回归分析显示,女性(OR=1.526)和对隔离部分理解及不理解(OR=3.273;OR=3.148)是检疫隔离者焦虑的危险因素;经济条件一般及较好(OR=0.422;OR=0.305)是检疫隔离者焦虑的保护因素;女性(OR=1.323)和对隔离部分理解及不理解(OR=3.387;OR=3.153)是检疫隔离者出现抑郁的危险因素;经济条件一般及较好(OR=0.627;OR=0.373)是检疫隔离者抑郁的保护因素。结论新型冠状肺炎疫情期间,检疫隔离者出现不同程度的焦虑、抑郁表现,需重点加强对女性、经济条件差、对隔离态度较差人群的心理疏导与社会支持。     

儿童新型冠状病毒肺炎疑似病例分析

目的 分析儿童新型冠状病毒肺炎(简称新冠肺炎)疑似病例的流行病学及临床特点. 方法 选取2020年1月23日-2月23日湖南省儿童医院感染科隔离留观病房的46例新冠肺炎疑似病例进行回顾性分析. 结果 疑似病例流行病学史:有湖北旅居史的33例(71.8％),所在社区有确诊病例的7例(15.2％),接触高度疑似病例的2例(...     

家长对小学生零食消费相关行为的影响

[目的]了解上海市静安区小学生家长零食消费相关知识和态度及其对小学生零食消费行为的影响。[方法]采用整群抽样的方法,对1446名小学生家长进行自填式问卷调查。数据采用统计描述及单因素和多因素线性回归分析。[结果]分别有57．61％、42．19％、11．00％的家长不反对用零食鼓励（奖励）孩子,饭前（后）半小时吃零食,孩子利用零食代替正餐;多因素线性回归分析结果显示,小学生零食消费相关行为与家长零食消费知识、态度[如零食可否用来鼓励（奖励）孩子、广告宣传的零食可否任意食用、每天吃零食的次数等]有密切联系（P〈0．05）。[结论]家长的零食消费相关知识、态度对小学生零食消费行为有影响,在合理引导小学生进行消费零食过程中,必须加强针对家长上述问题的官传教育。     

The Impact of COVID-19-Related Living Restrictions on Eating Behaviours in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the imposition of physical and social distancing measures worldwide. Emerging data suggest that younger age groups may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse mental health impacts of the pandemic. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an unprecedented increase in demand for child and adolescent eating disorder services. The aim of this review was to systematically review and appraise the current literature on the impact of COVID-19-related living restrictions on the eating behaviours of children and adolescents. Searches of eight electronic databases were conducted in March 2021 and December 2021 for published and grey literature on eating behaviours of population samples of children and adolescents (aged 18 months to 18 years old) who were exposed to COVID-19-related living restrictions. Of 3165 retrieved references, sixteen studies were included in this review, comprising data from 125, 286 participants. There was a pattern towards healthier eating behaviours among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, young people from lower socioeconomic groups showed a tendency towards more unhealthy eating behaviours, and there was an association between mood difficulties and greater changes in eating; this suggests that such groups may be more vulnerable to the adverse health consequences of lockdowns.     

An Italian Survey on Dietary Habits and Changes during the COVID-19 Lockdown

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; the outbreak has led to lockdowns in several parts of the world, and sudden changes in people’s lifestyles. This study explores the impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period on dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Italian population, through an online questionnaire, conducted from April to May 2020, involving 1519 participants. The 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) highlighted a medium Mediterranean diet adherence in 73.5% of responders, which principally included the younger population, aged 18–30 years (p < 0.05). In regards to changes in eating habits, 33.5% of responders declared an influence of the pandemic period on nutritional practice. A decrease in alcohol consumption was reported by 81% of responders, while an increase in frozen food consumption was reported by 81.3% of responders. In addition, 58.8% reported positive weight modification (40.8%, +1–3 kg); physical activity reduction was reported for 70.5% of responders. Our study contributes toward amplifying the investigation on the dietary habits and changes of the Italian population during the COVID-19 lockdown, although the pandemic is ongoing. Similar studies should be performed around the world to understand how the emergency has impacted people’s habits.     

Mathematical Modeling for Removing Border Entry and Quarantine Requirements for COVID-19, Vanuatu

The Pacific Island country of Vanuatu is considering strategies to remove border restrictions implemented during 2020 to prevent imported coronavirus disease. We performed mathematical modeling to estimate the number of infectious travelers who had different entry scenarios and testing strategies. Travel bubbles and testing on entry have the greatest importation risk reduction.     

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on myocardial infarction care

European Journal of Epidemiology - The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) care, and to identify underlying stressors...     

Impact of implementation timing on the effectiveness of stay-at-home requirement under the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from the Italian Case

When a new infectious outbreak emerges, governments must initially rely on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to mitigate the impact of the pathogen. Although a strict stay-at-home requirement (i.e., lockdown) presents high effectiveness in reducing patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs), it comes with unintended physical, psychological, and economic damages for the citizens. Using how Italy managed the COVID-19 outbreak from February to September 2020 on a national basis, this study aims at understanding the impact of implementation timing on the effectiveness of NPIs. Our findings may be helpful to avoid the implementation of stay-at-home requirements when it is not strictly necessary. A compartmental SEICRD model was developed to create the baseline scenario without NPIs. Generalized Poisson regressions were applied to study the change in effectiveness over-time of NPIs on Avoided ICUs for each one of the Italian regions. Our study suggests that although the stay-at-home requirement is the most effective measure in reducing ICU hospitalizations in regions encountering the outbreak early, its effectiveness decreases in regions encountering the outbreak later, where a set of other NPIs are more effective. We developed a reference of daily new cases when lockdown should be implemented or avoided, accordingly. Our findings could be useful to support policymakers in contrasting the pandemic and in limiting the societal and economic impact of stringent NPIs.     

新冠肺炎疫情对公立医院绩效分配的影响及对策思考

目的:探讨新冠肺炎疫情对公立医院绩效分配的影响因素并提出对策建议。方法:采用以岗位工作性质、责任轻重、风险程度等要素分医、护、技、医辅、行政后勤系列构建绩效分配模式,合理拉开各系列绩效水平,并区分疫情重点区域和非疫情重点区域公立医院。结果:疫情对公立医院绩效分配的主要影响是导致医院运营压力增加,传统绩效分配模式失灵以及难以充分体现一线医务人员劳务价值等。结论:公立医院应积极贯彻国家关于疫情防控期间对医务人员薪酬待遇的政策要求,充分体现向医务人员倾斜,向临床一线倾斜,保障医务人员薪酬待遇。     

糖尿病对COVID-19疾病进展及预后的影响

目的 分析合并糖尿病的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)患者的临床及流行病学特征,从而确定糖尿病是否是COVID-19疾病进展及不良预后的危险因素.方法 收集浙江省2020年1月17日—2月7日确诊为COVID-19的856例住院病例,其中64例合并糖尿病,对合并糖尿病及未合并糖尿病患者的临床特征、流行病学、治疗及预...