Risk Factor For COVID-19 Infection Research Articles

Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for COVID-19 infection in children

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem in all age groups. Through its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects it is shown to have a protective effect in COVID affected children. The objective of the study was to evaluate vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for developing COVID-19 infection in children and to study the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the clinical findings in COVID-19 positive children.Methods: A retrospective study of all COVID positive children aged 1 month to 15 years admitted to COVID Paediatric ward of Rajarajeshwari Medical hospital from July 2020-November 2020. All COVID positive children confirmed with RTPCR of age group 1 month to 15 years will be included in the study the age at admission, clinical and laboratory data, and 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25‐OHD) levels will be recorded. Patients diagnosed with COVID 19 are divided into 2 groups those with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels were determined as group 1 and patients with normal vitamin D levels as Group 2. Those with vitamin D Levels below 20ng/ml were determined as group 1 and those with >20 ng/ml as group 2. The various clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.Results: Patients with COVID 19 had significantly lower vitamin D levels 22.39±6.27 (p≤0.0001). Patients in group A that is vitamin D deficient and insufficient group had higher levels of ferritin (p≤0.0001).No significant difference was found between other clinical and laboratory parameters between group 1 and group 2.Conclusions: This is one of the first to evaluate vitamin D levels and its relationship with clinical findings in paediatric patients with covid-19. Although vitamin D does not play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 we do believe its putative role in preventing and treating the disease The results suggest that vitamin D levels may be associated with the occurrence and management of the COVID-19 disease by modulating the immunological mechanism to the virus in paediatric population.

Risk factors for COVID-19 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis: a nested case–control study

BackgroundRisk factors for COVID-19 infection among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) remain unconfirmed. While biological, socioeconomic and clinical risk factors have been identified among the general population, a comprehensive assessment of risk factors for COVID-19 infection among PwMS is lacking.MethodsA survey assessing personal experiences with COVID-19 in the USA was distributed online via the iConquerMS platform from December 18, 2020 to February 10, 2021. We conducted a retrospective nested case–control study of PwMS who self-reported testing positive for COVID-19 versus not. Risk factors evaluated include age, occupational setting, social determinants of health index, physical disability via Patient-Determined Disease Steps, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and progressive disease.ResultsOf 611 PwMS, 47 (7.7%) self-reported a positive COVID-19 test. DMT use (odds ratio [95% CI]: 2.10 [0.75–5.39]) and employment outside the home (2.79 [1.42–5.41]) increased risk of COVID-19 infection, while older age (0.97 [0.95–0.99]), increased disability (0.81 [0.69–0.94]) and progressive disease (0.42 [0.19–0.86]) decreased risk in univariate analyses. No risk factor remained significant in the multivariate model. Of the 47 PwMS with a positive test, seven were admitted to the hospital, of whom two required intensive care. Forty-three (91.5%) experienced common COVID-19 symptoms, and 23 (48.9%) reported concurrent new/worsening neurological symptoms.ConclusionThe prevalence of COVID-19 infection in this online study of PwMS approximated the US population's prevalence. When incorporating biological, socioeconomic and clinical risk factors for COVID-19, we did not find any independent risk factors for infection among PwMS in the USA.

P.149 Emergency caesarean section at 31 weeks in an ICU patient with severe Covid-19

Introduction: Pregnancy is not known to be a risk factor for Covid-19 infection, however due to changes in the immune system, pregnant women may be at higher risk of developing severe infection and critical illness in the later stages of pregnancy.1 Decision making around the management of pregnant patients with severe infection is complex and should involve a multi-disciplinary approach.2

Prolonged Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep Medicine Services-Longitudinal Data from the Swedish Sleep Apnea Registry.

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has affected the operation of health care systems. The direct impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on COVID-19 infection outcome remains to be elucidated. However, the coincidence of common risk factors for OSA and severe COVID-19 suggests that patients with OSA receiving positive airway pressure therapy may have an advantage relative to those untreated when confronted with a COVID-19 infection. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial reduction of sleep medicine services, and the long-term consequences may be considerable. New strategies for the management of sleep disorders are needed to overcome the current underdiagnosis and delay of treatment.

“Locked down outside”: Perception of hazard and health resources in COVID-19 epidemic context among homeless people

While social inequality is widely recognised as being a risk factor for COVID-19 infection or serious forms of the disease, many questions still remain concerning the perception of hazard and protective measures by the most vulnerable populations.This mixed-methods study aimed (1) to describe the self-perceived health and protective measures linked to COVID-19 of homeless people in one of the largest and poorest cities in France, and (2) to assess which skills and resources they used to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantitative survey addressed these questions among a sample of 995 homeless people living either on the streets, in homeless shelters or in squats/slums, whereas the qualitative survey was constructed from 14 homeless interviewees. Both data collections were carried out between June and July 2020.Results showed that COVID-19 infection was clearly perceived by homeless people as a risk, but the experience of being homeless placed this risk among several others. Different practices of protection were observed according to the type of living place. Lockdown of the general population severely impacted the survival systems of the populations furthest from housing, with alarming rates of people without access to water or food. 77% of homeless participants reported that they encountered significant financial difficulties. All interviewees were particularly attentive to their health, with awareness and even a familiarity with the risks of infectious diseases long before the pandemic.Using a capability framework, our study showed a predominant lack of external health-related resources for homeless people, while internal health-related resources were more developed than expected. None of the places and lifestyles studied was favourable to health: collective shelters due to a greater restriction of people's choices, slums and street life due to a greater lack of basic resources.

DOP77 Effect of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Medications on COVID-19 Incidence, Disease Severity, and Outcome -The Israeli Experience

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns among IBD patients fearing an increased risk of infection and poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 among IBD patients; its influence on disease severity and outcome; its relationship to medication use; and how the pandemic affected IBD management.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was posted online to members of the Israel Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation (November 2020- January 2021). The questionnaire addressed the course of IBD disease and COVID-19 infection over the past year.Results2152 IBD patients completed the questionnaire. 104 (4.8%) had been infected with COVID-19, significantly lower than the “expected” infected cases among the Israeli population (p=0.033). The median age of participants was 39; 60.5% were female. Most patients (75.6%) had no comorbidities other than IBD.No correlation was found between IBD type or disease severity and COVID-19 infection. Most IBD patients reported mild COVID-19 disease, regardless of the type of IBD medications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, elevated BMI, and diabetes were independent risk factors for COVID-19 infection. IBD treatment including 5-aminosalicylic acid, smoking, and hypertension were protective factors. 25.2% of COVID-19 patients discontinued their IBD treatment, compared to 8.5% of non-COVID-19 infected patients. IBD flares were significantly higher in those who discontinued treatment (p<0.001).ConclusionIBD patients do not have an increased risk for COVID-19, regardless of IBD activity or treatment. Patients should be encouraged to continue effective IBD therapy, including biologics and steroids, to minimize active IBD.

Change in marijuana use and its associated factors among persons living with HIV (PLWH) during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a prospective cohort

BackgroundEmerging literature shows increased drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research has examined the change in marijuana use among persons living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to investigate how marijuana use changed in a cohort of PLWH during the first year of the pandemic and identify factors associated with the change. Method222 PLWH (mean age = 50.2 ± 11.2, 50.9 % female, 14.5 % Hispanic, 64.7 % Black, 15.8 % White, 5 % other, 80.2 % persons using marijuana [at least weekly use], 19.8 % persons not using marijuana) completed a baseline survey on demographics and behavioral/health characteristics between 2018 and 2020 and a brief phone survey between May and October 2020 that assessed changes in marijuana use and overall/mental health, and perceived risks/benefits of marijuana use during the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsDuring the pandemic, 64/222(28.8 %) of the whole sample reported increased marijuana use, 36(16.2 %) reported decreased use, and 122(55 %) reported no change. Multinomial logistic regression results indicated that: Compared to those reporting no change, increased marijuana use during the pandemic was associated with more frequent marijuana use and PTSD symptoms at baseline, worsened mental health during the pandemic, and not perceiving marijuana use as a risk factor for COVID-19 infection. More frequent marijuana use at baseline was the only factor significantly associated with decreased marijuana use during the pandemic. ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in marijuana use among a considerable proportion (45 %) of PLWH. Future research is needed to understand the temporality of the increases in marijuana use with worsening mental health.

POS0050 ARE PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES (IMID) MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE COVID-19 TESTS AND TEST POSITIVE FOR SARS-COV-2? A MATCHED POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background:Population-based data about the COVID-19 risk in patients with IMID remain scarce.Objectives:To investigate the cumulative incidence and risk factors for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV2 testing in patients with IMID compared with matched non-IMID patients from the general population.Methods:A population-based, matched cohort study was conducted using health administrative data from adults living in Ontario, Canada from January to December 2020. Cohorts for each of the following IMID were assembled: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (including lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s, inflammatory myositis), multiple sclerosis (MS), iritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and vasculitis. Each patient was matched with 5 non-IMID comparators based on age, sex, area of residence and living in long term care (LTC). Standardized cumulative rates of testing for SARS-CoV2, and for receiving a positive test between IMID and non-IMID were compared between IMID and non-IMID patients. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed sociodemographic factors associated with COVID-19 testing and positivity.Results:A total of 493,499 IMID patients and 2,466,946 non-IMID comparators were assessed. Significantly more IMID patients versus non-IMID were tested for SARS-CoV2 (27.4% vs. 22.7%), while the proportions of those positive for COVID-19 were identical (0.9% of all patients in both groups). Overall, IMID patients were more likely to undergo SARS-CoV2 testing (odds ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.27, 1.29), but their overall risk of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was not elevated (OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.93, 1)). However, the risk of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection was lower in IBD (OR 0.75), MS (OR 0.77) and psoriasis (OR 0.94) and marginally higher in RA (OR 1.07) and iritis (OR 1.13) compared with non-IMID comparators (Figure 1A). The highest standardized rates of COVID-19 infection were found in vasculitis (115 per 10,000 patients) and iritis (109 per 10,000 patients) (Figure 1B). Risk factors for COVID-19 infection included younger age, living in LTC, multimorbidity, urban living and lower income (Table 1).Conclusion:Patients across all IMID were more likely to be tested for COVID-19 versus non-IMID patients. IMID patients were not at higher risk for testing positive for COVID-19 as an overall group, yet risk varied across disease subgroups.Table 1.Factors associated with COVID-19 infection in IMID vs. Non-IMID – Multivariable Logistic RegressionVariableORCI 95%IMID vs. Non-IMID0.970.93, 1.00Age (10-year increase)0.890.89, 0.90Sex: Female vs. Males0.950.93, 0.97LTC18.6417.9, 19.42ADG score:•5-9 vs. 0-41.401.35, 1.45•10-14 vs. 0-41.731.67, 1.80•15+ vs. 0-41.181.13, 1.23Urban vs. Rural3.493.26, 3.72Income quintile•Quintile 2 vs. 10.920.89, 0.96•Quintile 3 vs. 10.900.86, 0.93•Quintile 4 vs. 10.730.70, 0.76•Quintile 5 vs. 10.600.58, 0.63ADG - Aggregated Diagnosis Groups; IMIDs – Immune medicated inflammatory disease; LTC – long term careAcknowledgements:The study is supported by ICES, which is funded by an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). Parts of this material are based on data and information compiled and provided by MOHLTC and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The opinions, results and conclusions reported in this paper are those of the authors and are independent of the funding or data sources; no endorsement is intended or should be inferred.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

The Association Between Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Testing, Positivity, and Incidence in Alabama and Louisiana.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 burden have been widely reported. Using data from the state health departments of Alabama and Louisiana aggregated to residential Census tracts, we assessed the relationship between social vulnerability and COVID-19 testing rates, test positivity, and incidence. Data were cumulative for the period of February 27, 2020 to October 7, 2020. We estimated the association of the 2018 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) overall score and theme scores with COVID-19 tests, test positivity, and cases using multivariable negative binomial regressions. We adjusted for rurality with 2010 Rural–Urban Commuting Area codes. Regional effects were modeled as fixed effects of counties/parishes and state health department regions. The analytical sample included 1160 Alabama and 1105 Louisiana Census tracts. In both states, overall social vulnerability and vulnerability themes were significantly associated with increased COVID-19 case rates (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.45–1.70 for Alabama; RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.26–1.46 for Louisiana). There was increased COVID-19 testing with higher overall vulnerability in Louisiana (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14–1.38), but not in Alabama (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89–1.02). Consequently, test positivity in Alabama was significantly associated with social vulnerability (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.57–1.75), whereas no such relationship was observed in Louisiana (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98–1.12). Social vulnerability is a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities and those in disadvantaged housing conditions without transportation. Increased testing targeted to vulnerable communities may contribute to reduction in test positivity and overall COVID-19 disparities.

Weight Loss Mobile Apps: Do They Address COVID-19 and Diabetes

Background: Over 70 million Americans are obese and 99 million are overweight. There are over 3.7 billion ehealth mobile app downloads per year. Weight loss apps offer information on exercise and nutrition as well as weight tracking. Obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, along with diabetes and hypertension. In addition, obesity plays a role in the increased mortality of COVID patients. In March of 2020, the U.S. government, through the Small Business Administration and through the Small Business Innovation Research program, as well as through Facebook and Google, offered individuals and companies money for public education and/or solutions for the COVID-19 epidemic. Thus, are software app developers adding information about COVID-19 for their audience? Specifically, do weight loss apps mention obesity being a risk factor for DM, Hypertension, and COVID-19? Weight loss apps target a young demographic, and for public health purposes, COVID-19 information needs to reach this demographic since obesity can be a risk factor for COVID-19 infection. Purpose: Do weight loss apps provide information about DM, HTN, and COVID-19 during this pandemic era? Methods: Evaluation of the 10 most popular apps in the Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) stores via the search term “weight loss.” Apps were ranked by downloads/star rating respectively for Android and iOS apps. Apple does not provide information about the number of downloads. App inclusion criteria: 1) Free 2) iOS: star ratings greater than 4 (greater than 10K ratings); Android: greater than or equal to 1 Million downloads; App features: DM, HTN, Race, Gender, COVID-19, BMI, Heart Disease, Calorie Count, and Fitness. Results: DM: 0/20, HTN: 0/20, BMI: 19/20, while Race is 0/20; Gender 19/20; COVID-19: 0/20; Calorie Count 11/20; Fitness 13/20. Conclusion: 1) Weight Loss apps have not ventured in the public education realm of risk factors and comorbidities of COVID-19 despite the pandemic in 2020. 2) As physicians, we should continue to educate our patients with weight issues and other risk factors in the era of a worldwide pandemic.

Post-COVID recovery: characteristics of chronically critically ill patients admitted to a long-term acute care hospital.

Background: Survivors of COVID-19 pneumonia often suffer from chronic critical illness (CCI) and require long-term hospitalization. Long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals are vital in the care of CCI patients, but their role for patients post COVID-19 infection is not known. Barlow Respiratory Hospital (BRH) is a 105-bed, LTAC hospital network serving ventilator-dependent and medically-complex patients transferred from the ICUs of hospitals in southern California. We report patient characteristics of our first series of COVID-19 survivors admitted to the post-acute venue of an LTAC hospital. Methods: Single-center observational descriptive report of patients recovering from acute infectious complications of COVID-19 pneumonia requiring long-term respiratory support. Results: From 28 April to 7 September 2020, 41 patients were admitted to BRH for continued recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia. Median age: 68 [44-94] years, 25/41 (61%) male, 33/41 (80.5%) with tracheostomy, 21/41 (51.2%) on invasive mechanical ventilation, 9/41 (22%) receiving hemodialysis. All mechanical ventilation and hemodialysis interventions were initiated at the transferring hospital. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report to characterize CCI and medically complex COVID-19 patients transferred to the post-acute venue of an LTAC hospital. Patients on average spent over six weeks in the transferring hospital mostly in the ICU, are largely elderly, carry the known risk factors for COVID-19 infection, and experienced respiratory failure necessitating prolonged mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy. Our findings suggest that these patients will continue to require considerable medical interventions and treatments, including weaning from mechanical ventilation, owing to the numerous sequelae of the infection and the burden of acute-on-chronic diseases. As ICU survival rates improve, this research further emphasizes the important role of the LTAC hospital in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a risk factor for infection with COVID-19

IntroductionADHD limits the ability to comply with Covid-19 prevention recommendations. We hypothesized that ADHD constitutes a risk factor for Covid-19 infection and that pharmacotherapy may lower that risk.ObjectivesTo test our hypothesis we studied the data of all patients admitted to (N=14,022) Leumit Health Services in Israel between February 1st - April 30th, 2020, who underwent at least one Covid-19 test.MethodsData were collected from the electronic health records. Purchasing consecutively at least 3 ADHD-medication-prescriptions during past year was considered drug-treatment.Results1,416 (10.1%) subjects (aged 2 months - 103 years) were Covid-19-positive.They were significantly younger, and had higher rates of ADHD (adjOR 1.58 (95%CI; 1.27-1.96, p&lt;0·001) than Covid-19-negative subjects. The risk for Covid-19-Positive was higher in untreated-ADHD subjects compared to non-ADHD subjects [crudeOR 1.61 (95%CI 1.36-1.89, p&lt;0.001)], while no higher risk was detected in treated ones [crudeOR 1.07 (95% CI 0·78-1.48 p=0.65)].ConclusionsUntreated ADHD seems to constitute a risk factor for Covid-19 infection while drug-treatment ameliorates this effect.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Could Assisted Reproductive Technology Be a Predisposing Risk Factor for COVID-19 Infection in Women

Could Assisted Reproductive Technology Be a Predisposing Risk Factor for COVID-19 Infection in Women

Population risk factors for severe disease and mortality in COVID-19: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

COVID-19 clinical presentation is heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to severe cases. While there are a number of early publications relating to risk factors for COVID-19 infection, low sample size and heterogeneity in study design impacted consolidation of early findings. There is a pressing need to identify the factors which predispose patients to severe cases of COVID-19. For rapid and widespread risk stratification, these factors should be easily obtainable, inexpensive, and avoid invasive clinical procedures. The aim of our study is to fill this knowledge gap by systematically mapping all the available evidence on the association of various clinical, demographic, and lifestyle variables with the risk of specific adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. The systematic review was conducted using standardized methodology, searching two electronic databases (PubMed and SCOPUS) for relevant literature published between 1st January 2020 and 9th July 2020. Included studies reported characteristics of patients with COVID-19 while reporting outcomes relating to disease severity. In the case of sufficient comparable data, meta-analyses were conducted to estimate risk of each variable. Seventy-six studies were identified, with a total of 17,860,001 patients across 14 countries. The studies were highly heterogeneous in terms of the sample under study, outcomes, and risk measures reported. A large number of risk factors were presented for COVID-19. Commonly reported variables for adverse outcome from COVID-19 comprised patient characteristics, including age >75 (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.81-3.90), male sex (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.39-3.04) and severe obesity (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.31-5.05). Active cancer (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04-2.04) was associated with increased risk of severe outcome. A number of common symptoms and vital measures (respiratory rate and SpO2) also suggested elevated risk profiles. Based on the findings of this study, a range of easily assessed parameters are valuable to predict elevated risk of severe illness and mortality as a result of COVID-19, including patient characteristics and detailed comorbidities, alongside the novel inclusion of real-time symptoms and vital measurements.

The risk factors of COVID-19 in 50–74 years old people: a longitudinal population-based study

Abstract Objectives To investigate the risk factors of COVID-19 infection in a longitudinal study of a population aged 50–74 years. Methods Data were collected from Shahroud Eye Cohort study and the COVID-19 electronic registry in Shahroud, northeast Iran. Participants were followed for about 13 months and predisposing factors for COVID-19 infection were investigated using log binominal model and calculating relative risks. Results From the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Shahroud (February 20, 2020) to March 26, 2021, out of 4,394 participants in the Eye Cohort study, 271 (6.1%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 with a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test on two nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. Risk factors for COVID-19 infection included male gender (relative risk (RR) = 1.51; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.15–1.99), body mass index (BMI) over 25 (RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.05), and diabetes (RR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02–1.67). Also, smoking (RR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28–0.93) and education (RR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92–0.98) showed inverse associations. Conclusions Men, diabetics, and those with BMI over 25 should be more cognizant and adhere to health protocols related to COVID-19 prevention and should be given priority for vaccination.

Characteristics and Behaviors Associated with Prevalent SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

IntroductionSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has been a serious threat to global health. Previous work has focused primarily on hospitalized patients or on identifying risk factors for disease severity and mortality once the infection has taken place. We sought to leverage the ubiquity of smartphones and mobile applications to study risk factors for Covid-19 infection in a large, geographically heterogenous cohort.MethodsWe analyzed data obtained from the Covid-19 Citizen Science (CCS) Study, a worldwide, mobile application-based cohort. After employing forward selection to identify variables with p values < 0.1, multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to identify independent risk factors associated with prevalent SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsAmong 36,041 participants in 113 countries and all 50 states in the US, 484 participants had prevalent SARS-CoV-2 infection. After multivariable adjustment, being a healthcare worker, living with at least one school-aged child, having pets at home, and having immunodeficiency were each associated with an increased odds of SARS-CoV-2. The association between pets and prevalent SARS-CoV-2 was driven by dog ownership. After adjustment for the same covariates, Asian or Pacific Islander race, receiving a flu shot within the past year, increased level of education, and smoking or vaping marijuana within the last 30 days were each associated with a lower odds of SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionWe identified various characteristics and behaviors, many of which are potentially modifiable, associated with prevalent SARS-CoV-2 infection in a world-wide mobile application-based cohort.

Covid-19 pattern in cancer patients-an experience from a tertiary care center of western UP

Many researches are published and still going on for the effects of comorbidities on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but large studies on cancer as a risk factor and severity of covid-19 in cancer patients are still lacking. The aim of this study was to see the prevalence of covid- 19 in cancer patients and to observe the pattern of disease course in cancer patients undergoing active treatment. In this study, 50 patients of covid-19 RTPCR confirmed cancer patients were enrolled who visited the department from 1may to September 2020 and were retrospectively analyzed for their disease course. Infectivity rate of 5% was observed while case fatality rate was 12%. Mean age of presentation was 42.9yr with male predominance. Head and neck carcinoma patients were more prone to covid-19.20% patients were symptomatic, who required admission in covid ward. Infectivity rate as well as case fatality rate was higher in cancer patients, especially those taking active cancer treatment and were having other comorbid conditions also. Cancer treatment makes a risk factor for covid-19 infection. Mortality is more in cases having associated comorbidities. Though more prospective randomized trials are needed for any statistical analysis.

Vitamin D Association With Macrophage-Derived Cytokines in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Enhanced Risk of COVID-19 Infection?

BackgroundWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have vitamin D deficiency, a known risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease. Alveolar macrophage-derived cytokines contribute to the inflammation underlying pulmonary disease in COVID-19. We sought to determine if basal macrophage activation, as a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, was present in PCOS and, if so, was further enhanced by vitamin D deficiency.MethodsA cross-sectional study in 99 PCOS and 68 control women who presented sequentially. Plasma levels of a macrophage-derived cytokine panel were determined by Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan plasma protein measurement. Vitamin D was measured by tandem mass spectroscopy.ResultsVitamin D was lower in PCOS women (p<0.0001) and correlated negatively with body mass index (BMI) in PCOS (r=0.28, p=0.0046). Basal macrophage activation markers CXCL5, CD163 and MMP9 were elevated, whilst protective CD200 was decreased (p<0.05); changes in these variables were related to, and fully accounted for, by BMI. PCOS and control women were then stratified according to vitamin D concentration. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with decreased CD80 and IFN-γ in PCOS and IL-12 in both groups (p<0.05). These factors, important in initiating and maintaining the immune response, were again accounted for by BMI.ConclusionBasal macrophage activation was higher in PCOS with macrophage changes related with increased infection risk associating with vitamin D; all changes were BMI dependent, suggesting that obese PCOS with vitamin D deficiency may be at greater risk of more severe COVID-19 infection, but that it is obesity-related rather than an independent PCOS factor.

Heartbeat: higher risk of COVID-19 infection in younger patients with cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major risk factor for adverse outcomes with COVID-19 infection. Concerns raised early in the pandemic that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade by treatment with angiotensin converting...

Getting Rid of Covid-19 Symptoms Quickly: A Case Report

Nowadays, a variety of substances are used for Covid-19 prevention or treatment and probably, no effective and reliable treatment has been discovered yet. In this case report, we considered the possibility of some mineral and herbal substances’ effectiveness on a patient who has a background of different diseases (as important risk factors of Covid-19 infection).