Post COVID-19 Research Articles

Immune thrombocytopenia exacerbation post COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Immune thrombocytopenia exacerbation post COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Post COVID-19 syndrome among 5248 healthcare workers in England: longitudinal findings from NHS CHECK

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to examine post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in England and explore risk factors for the condition.MethodsData were collected by National Health...

Mental health of the Pacific Island Nation communities: What the rest in the world can contribute to and learn from?

Creating Futures initiative has established a network of mental health professionals, researchers, and community members from the Pacific Island Nations (PIN), Australia, and New Zealand to address the growing challenges of mental health conditions compounded by the climate change crisis. The enormous amount of work done in Global Mental Health can be particularly helpful to improve population-level mental health. However, translation of this evidence base into practice poses several challenges. This perspective paper discusses the role of local culture and health systems context in determining the feasibility and acceptability of implementing and scaling up evidence-based interventions designed in an American-European context. The paper also advocates development (and evaluation) of mental health interventions in the PIN communities particularly and Global South generally and exporting these interventions to the rest of the world. COVID-19 crisis underlined the role of global cooperation as well as national level 'self-reliance'. In this post COVID-19 world, it will be desirable for the mental health community to cooperate and collaborate to scale up evidence-based interventions through rigorous contextualization and at the same time main-stream mental health interventions developed in the Global South by incorporating them in the Global Mental Health discourse.

Characterization model of the post COVID-19 condition based on immunological, biochemical, and cytokine markers

Post-coronavirus disease condition (PCC) continues to affect many people globally, yet there remains a lack of diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish PCC from those recovered from acute COVID-19. This study compared biomarkers between two age- and gender-matched groups: PCC individuals and those recovered within three months of acute COVID-19 in 2020 (n= 85 each). Biomarkers were assessed 12-24months after initial diagnosis, examining biochemical profiles, blood cell counts, coagulation status, antibody serology, lymphocyte populations, and cytokine levels. PCC individuals exhibited significant alterations in 49 of 167 markers, including K+ levels, αGAD antibodies, antithrombin III, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). A panel of αGAD, IL-10, potassium levels, and CD16brightCD56- cell presence distinguished PCC individuals from recovered patients with >88% accuracy and <92% precision.

Función pulmonar en post COVID-19

Introduction: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 affects multiple organs, but the lung is the most affected organ and can have sequelae. The diagnosis of sequelae includes: medical history, physical examination, chest radiography and/or tomography, and pulmonary function tests (spirometry, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, 6-minute walk test, and lung volumes). The objective of this study was to describe lung function in post COVID-19 patients at the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Diseases CEDITER. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study of patients over 18 years of age, with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, who had undergone any pulmonary function tests and were found in the CEDITER database, from March 2020 to December 2021. Results: 246 cases were included, of which 57.7% were male and 43.3% were female. The mean age was 50.8 years with a standard deviation of 13.2. 46.1% had a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9, classified as obesity. 207 spirometries were analyzed, of which 34.3% were abnormal. Out of the 236 carbon monoxide diffusion tests, 53% showed mild to moderate decreases. Conclusions: The pulmonary function test that was most affected was carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO), in a predominantly male population, with overweight or obesity, and with a mean age of 50 years.

The Indonesian youth tourist motivation intention to visit Phuket: a post Covid-19 study with the moderating role of health risk using SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 1)

Purpose There are two goals for this study. Firstly, this study aims to understand the impact of various youth tourist motivations, such as Muslim amenities, Islamic product travel, attraction, perceived value and service quality, on the intention to visit Phuket. Secondly, this study aims to determine whether or not young people's perceptions of health risks influence their motivations and decisions to travel to Phuket in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative methodology, using nonprobability convenience sampling to collect responses from 249 Indonesian youths who intended to visit Phuket after the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes' (2018) SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 1) was used to test the research model. Findings The findings showed that the intention to travel was significantly affected by factors such as Muslim amenities, Islamic product travel, attraction, perceived value and service quality. Furthermore, the perceived health risk moderated three dimensions of Islamic product travel, perceived value and service quality on intention to visit. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to a sample of Indonesian youth tourists and the impacts of motivation (Muslim amenities, Islamic product travel, attractiveness, perceived value and service quality) and the moderating influence of health risk on the desire to visit Phuket. Originality/value This study sheds insight into the influence of several young tourists' motives on the intention to visit Phuket and the moderating role of perceived health risks. The findings provide essential insights for marketing strategies and the development of the international destination. Specifically, the study suggests developing products with Islamic attributes, emphasising the attraction factor and improving perceived values. The study also provides a model that demonstrates how religious values can affect an individual's decision-making process.

Kinship networks and financial inclusion nexus: the mediating effect of extended social cohesion among poor microentrepreneurs post COVID-19

Financial inclusion has been a major tool for poverty alleviation in Africa and, as such, it has become a topic of great interest among scholars working on the difficulties of African microentrepreneurs to access financial resources. Thus, this research examines whether extended social cohesion mediates the relationship between kinship networks and financial inclusion of poor microentrepreneurs post COVID-19 in the unbanked rural sub-Saharan Africa. Analyzing data from a sample of 304 microentrepreneurs of Uganda, we find that extended social cohesion resulting from social capital significantly affect the relationship between kinship networks and financial inclusion as it acts as substitute for the lack of physical collateral. The theoretical contribution of this research is that, it introduces the social cohesion theory, a theory developed in sociology, in the literature of microcredit finance and shows that social cohesion can serve as collateral, of which the absence has often prevented microentrepreneurs from having access to microcredit.

Evaluation of pulmonary arterial stiffness in post mild COVID-19 patients: a pilot prospective study

BackgroundOur primary goal was to utilize pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) to demonstrate the early alterations in the pulmonary vascular area in individuals with prior COVID-19 illness who had not undergone hospitalization.MethodsIn total, 201 patients with prior COVID-19 infection without hospitalization and 195 healthy, age- and sex-matched individuals without a history of COVID-19 disease were included in this prospective analysis. The PAS value for each patient was calculated by dividing the mean peak pulmonary flow velocity by the pulmonary flow acceleration time.ResultsThe measured PAS was 10.2 ± 4.11 Hz/msec in post–COVID-19 participants and 8.56 ± 1.47 Hz/msec in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Moreover, pulmonary artery acceleration time was significantly lower in patients with a prior history of COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that PAS was significantly connected to a prior COVID-19 illness (odds ratio, 1.267; 95% confidence interval, 1.142–1.434; P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point for detecting a prior COVID-19 disease for PAS was 10.1 (sensitivity, 70.2%; specificity, 87.7%).ConclusionsThis might be the first investigation to reveal that patients with a history of COVID-19 had higher PAS values compared to those without COVID-19. The results of the investigation may indicate the need of regular follow up of COVID-19 patients for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, especially during the post–COVID-19 interval.

Persistent Post COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Women.

The assessment of endothelial dysfunction and free radical homeostasis parameters were performed in 92 women, aged 45 to 69 years, divided into the following groups: women without COVID-19 (unvaccinated, no antibodies, control); women with acute phase of COVID-19 infection (main group, COVID-19+); 12 months post COVID-19+; women with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG with no symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 12 months (asymptomatic COVID-19). Compared to the control, patients of the main group had lower glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, decreased advanced glycation end products (AGEs) level, higher glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and higher glutathione S transferases pi (GSTpi), thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBARs), endothelin (END)-1, and END-2 concentrations (all p ≤ 0.05). The group with asymptomatic COVID-19 had lower 8-OHdG and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased total antioxidant status (TAS), and higher reduced glutathione (GSH) and GSH/GSSG levels (all p ≤ 0.05). In the group COVID-19+, as compared to the group without clinical symptoms, we detected lower GPx and SOD activities, decreased AGEs concentration, a higher TAS, and greater GR activity and GSTpi and TBARs concentrations (all p ≤ 0.05). The high content of lipid peroxidation products 12 months post COVID-19+, despite decrease in ENDs, indicates long-term changes in free radical homeostasis. These data indicate increased levels of lipid peroxidation production contribute, in part, to the development of free radical related pathologies including long-term post COVID syndrome.

Analysis of conditions related to diabetic foot in the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

With the COVID-19 pandemic, an exacerbation of hospitalizations due to diabetic foot was noted in Brazil, which was due to the loss of access to primary health care by the population, especially the most economically disadvantaged in a country with a vast continental extension and very unequal, economically. We carried out an observational, retrospective and descriptive analysis of hospital data on hospitalization for diabetic foot treatment, using SIH/SUS and DataSUS between 2015 and 2023. Mortality, length of stay, costs, nature of care and demographic distribution of procedures were analyzed. During the period, 196,523 hospitalizations were recorded for the treatment of complicated diabetic foot. In addition, 5,711 cases of deaths were associated with a fatality rate of 0.54%. In relation to financial expenditure, the Northeast Region stood out with the highest expenditure rate. The most socially vulnerable regions had higher hospitalization and mortality rates, although there was little change in financial resources during the pre- and post-pandemic period. This situation highlights the need to promote greater regional equity in indicators and access to health to minimize preventable problems such as UPD. Situations such as the one experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic served to highlight the shortcomings of the country's health system and how the health-disease process is strongly linked to local socioeconomic conditions, making it necessary to promote collective health measures aimed at minimizing disparities regions in Brazilian territory. The lack of data collected by the health event registration system in the country constitutes a limitation in the present study, which makes us suggest greater rigor and diversity in the collection of information in order to better translate the reality of the data presented here.

The effectiveness of self-management training to improve the discipline of students during post covid-19 pandemic

The effectiveness of self-management training to improve the discipline of students during post covid-19 pandemic

Effectuation, Causation and Bricolage; Entrepreneurial Orientation in the Face of Crisis, a Perspective from Developing Countries

Abstract While previous studies on individual entrepreneurial orientation have evolved more from environmental, social and cultural features, far less attention has been dedicated to personal agency factors, especially during the crisis period of post COVID-19 pandemic. Relying on personal agency theory and the entrepreneurial cognitive logic concept, this study investigates how entrepreneur’s internal locus of control affect their individual entrepreneurial orientation, particularly during periods of crisis and scarcity-post COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 500 small and medium scale entrepreneurs via an online questionnaire and analyzed using partial least square (PLS-SEM) methodology. The findings show that causation, bricolage and effectuation’s affordable loss and flexibility, which are most responsive to internal locus of control, significantly impact individual entrepreneurial orientation. However, no evidence has been found on how gender, education level and education background impacts the internal locus of control to promote entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, the paper highlights the relevance of considering personal agency factors, namely internal locus of control, for policy makers, especially those involved in institutions of learning and government ministries, to boost citizens perceptions and entrepreneurial orientation and behaviour particularly in developing countries.

Evolution in online learning: Implications for South African higher educational institutions in post COVID-19 era

Evolution in online learning: Implications for South African higher educational institutions in post COVID-19 era

Postural balance, mobility, and handgrip strength one year after hospitalization due to COVID-19

BackgroundSymptoms such as impairment of postural balance, mobility and muscle strength can last up to 12 months post COVID-19 hospitalization, need to be better understood, as they can have repercussions in activities of daily living. Research questionWhat happens to postural balance, mobility, and handgrip strength of COVID-19 patients after hospitalization? MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted with patients of both sexes, aged ≥18, admitted to hospital diagnosed with COVID-19. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 4, 6, and 12 months post-discharge, including: postural balance - Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, mobility - Timed “Up & Go” Test, and handgrip strength – dynamometry. Prevalence values of impaired postural balance and mobility and lower-than-expected handgrip strength were calculated by point estimate and 95 % confidence interval. Shapiro-Wilk test showed that our data did not have a normal distribution, so the Friedman Test and the test of proportions were used for the statistical analysis. ResultsPerformance on postural balance was improved after four months of hospital discharge, but the improvement in mobility and handgrip strength only occurred after six months. After six months of discharge, the proportion of individuals with impairments began to decrease. A higher prevalence of impairments in postural balance and mobility occurred at one month post-discharge, which reduced over time. However, the values of impairments for postural balance and mobility were still high after 12 months of follow-up. SignificanceThere was a high prevalence of postural balance and mobility impairment 1 month after discharge, which was still high 12 months after discharge. The prevalence of lower-than-expected handgrip strength demonstrated limited change over time. Results highlight the need for assessment of postural balance, mobility and hand grip strength in post COVID-19 related hospitalization protocols, and long-term physical therapy interventions to address these impairments when identified to improve long term outcomes.

An ecological comparison to inspect the aftermath of post COVID-19 condition in Italy and the United States

Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a clinical syndrome following COVID-19 disease. PCC symptoms in adults entail significant productivity loss and reduced quality of life. This study aimed at estimating the epidemiological and economic burden of PCC among the working-age population of Italy and the US. This ecological analysis was conducted on data from January 2020 to April 2023, regarding population aged 18–64. PCC incidence for the US was retrieved from publicly reported estimates, while for Italy it was estimated from COVID-19 cases. Prevalence of factors associated with PCC and parameters to calculate temporary productivity losses (TPL) were retrieved. An estimated incidence rate ratio (eIRR) of PCC incidence in Italy and the US was calculated. TPL for reduced earnings and total quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost were also estimated. The ecological eIRR Italy/US was 0.842 [95%CI 0.672–1.015], suggesting that, holding COVID-19 cases constant, 15.8% fewer PCC cases have occurred in Italy compared to the US. Overall PCC cases were found to be 12.0 [95%CI 9.9–14.1] million in the US, with 1.9 [95%CI 1.6–2.3] million QALYs lost, and 2.4 [95%CI 1.8–3.0] million in Italy, with 0.4 [95%CI 0.3–0.5] million QALYs lost. Up to April 2023, the TPL was estimated to be Int$7.5 [95%CI 5.8–10.1] billion in Italy and $41.5 [95%CI 34.3–48.7] billion in the US. PCC has had a significant epidemiological and economic impact on the working-age population. The findings from this study may be of use for health planning and policy regarding PCC in working-age adults.

The role of NOS3-rs1799983 and NOS3- rs2070744 SNP in occurrence of avascular necrosis as a post COVID-19 complication

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a debilitating condition characterized by bone tissue death due to inadequate blood supply, leading to joint dysfunction and collapse. This study investigates the potential association between AVN and COVID-19, focusing on genetic factors such as NOS3 polymorphisms. A total of 180 individuals were included, comprising 120 COVID-19 patients and 60 healthy controls. Clinical, haematological, biochemical, and genetic parameters were assessed. Results revealed significant differences in respiratory and heart rates, haematological counts, and biochemical markers between AVN and control groups. Genetic analysis showed a higher prevalence of the TG genotype and G allele in NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism among AVN patients. Additionally, NOS3 rs2070744 polymorphism correlated with various clinical parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, and haematological indices. This study highlights the potential role of genetic factors in predisposing individuals to AVN following COVID-19 infection.

Multi-dimensional epidemiology and informatics data on COVID-19 wave at the end of zero COVID policy in China.

China exited strict Zero-COVID policy with a surge in Omicron variant infections in December 2022. Given China's pandemic policy and population immunity, employing Baidu Index (BDI) to analyze the evolving disease landscape and estimate the nationwide pneumonia hospitalizations in the post Zero COVID period, validated by hospital data, holds informative potential for future outbreaks. Retrospective observational analyses were conducted at the conclusion of the Zero-COVID policy, integrating internet search data alongside offline records. Methodologies employed were multidimensional, encompassing lagged Spearman correlation analysis, growth rate assessments, independent sample T-tests, Granger causality examinations, and Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) models for comprehensive data scrutiny. Various diseases exhibited a notable upsurge in the BDI after the policy change, consistent with the broader trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic. Robust connections emerged between COVID-19 and diverse health conditions, predominantly impacting the respiratory, circulatory, ophthalmological, and neurological domains. Notably, 34 diseases displayed a relatively high correlation (r > 0.5) with COVID-19. Among these, 12 exhibited a growth rate exceeding 50% post-policy transition, with myocarditis escalating by 1,708% and pneumonia by 1,332%. In these 34 diseases, causal relationships have been confirmed for 23 of them, while 28 garnered validation from hospital-based evidence. Notably, 19 diseases obtained concurrent validation from both Granger causality and hospital-based data. Finally, the BSTS models approximated approximately 4,332,655 inpatients diagnosed with pneumonia nationwide during the 2 months subsequent to the policy relaxation. This investigation elucidated substantial associations between COVID-19 and respiratory, circulatory, ophthalmological, and neurological disorders. The outcomes from comprehensive multi-dimensional cross-over studies notably augmented the robustness of our comprehension of COVID-19's disease spectrum, advocating for the prospective utility of internet-derived data. Our research highlights the potential of Internet behavior in predicting pandemic-related syndromes, emphasizing its importance for public health strategies, resource allocation, and preparedness for future outbreaks.

Clinical utility of ambulatory ECG monitoring and 2D-ventricular strain for evaluation of post-COVID-19 ventricular arrhythmia

BackgroundA relatively common complication of COVID -19 infection is arrhythmia. There is limited information about myocardial deformation and heart rate variability (HRV) in symptomatic post COVID patients presented by ventricular arrhythmia.Aim of the studyOur goal was to assess 2D-ventricular strain and heart rate variability indices (evaluated by ambulatory ECG monitoring) in post-COVID-19 patients suffering from ventricular arrhythmia.MethodsThe current observational case–control study performed on 60 patients one month after they had recovered from the COVID-19 infection. Thirty healthy volunteers served as the control group. Each participant had a full medical history review, blood tests, a 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG), 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring, and an echo-Doppler examination to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) dimensions, tissue Doppler velocities, and 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) for both the LV and right ventricular (RV) strain.ResultsSymptomatic post-COVID patients with monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) showed a substantial impairment of LV/RV systolic and diastolic functions, LV/RV myocardial performance (MPI) with reduced indices of HRV. Patients with higher versus lower ventricular burden had poorer functional status, higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and reduced parameters of HRV (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class: 2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6, p < 0.001, C-reactive protein (CRP): 13.3 ± 4.1 vs. 8.3 ± 5.9 mg/L, p < 0.0001, low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF): 3.6 ± 2.4 vs. 2.2 ± 1.2, p < 0.002, the root mean square of the difference between successive normal intervals (rMSSD): 21.8 ± 4.7 vs. 29.3 ± 14.9 ms, p < 0.039 and the standard deviation of the RR interval (SDNN): 69.8 ± 19.1 vs.108.8 ± 37.4 ms, p < 0.0001). The ventricular burden positively correlated with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (r = 0.33, p < 0.001), CRP (r = 0.60, p < 0.0001), while it negatively correlated with LV-global longitudinal strain (GLS) (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001), and RV-GLS (r = -0.37, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsPatients with post-COVID symptoms presented by ventricular arrhythmia had poor functional status. Patients with post-COVID symptoms and ventricular arrhythmia had subclinical myocardial damage, evidenced by speckle tracking echocardiography while having apparently preserved LV systolic function. The burden of ventricular arrhythmia in post-COVID patients significantly correlated with increased inflammatory biomarkers and reduced biventricular strain.

Peculiarities of proteomics and hemostasis in post COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial infarction

Peculiarities of proteomics and hemostasis in post COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial infarction

Prevalence of pulmonary embolism among post COVID-19 patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography, in comparison to others

Prevalence of pulmonary embolism among post COVID-19 patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography, in comparison to others