Sixth Wave Research Articles

The frequency of defective genomes in Omicron differs from that of the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged showing higher transmissibility and possibly higher resistance to current COVID-19 vaccines than other variants dominating the global pandemic. In March 2020 we performed a study in clinical samples, where we found that a portion of genomes in the SARS-CoV-2 viral population accumulated deletions immediately before the S1/S2 cleavage site (furin-like cleavage site, PRRAR/S) of the spike gene, generating a frameshift and appearance of a premature stop codon. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency of defective deletions in prevalent variants from the first to sixth pandemic waves in our setting and discuss whether the differences observed might support epidemiological proposals. The complete SARS-CoV-2 spike gene was deeply studied by next-generation sequencing using the MiSeq platform. More than 90 million reads were obtained from respiratory swab specimens of 78 COVID-19 patients with mild infection caused by the predominant variants circulating in the Barcelona city area during the six pandemic waves: B.1.5, B.1.1, B.1.177, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. The frequency of defective genomes found in variants dominating the first and second waves was similar to that seen in Omicron, but differed from the frequencies seen in the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants. The changing pattern of mutations seen in the various SARS-CoV-2 variants driving the pandemic waves over time can affect viral transmission and immune escape. Here we discuss the putative biological effects of defective deletions naturally occurring before the S1/S2 cleavage site during adaption of the virus to human infection.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The higher hospitalisation rates of those aged 0-19 years (referred to herein as 'children') observed since the emergence of the immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and subvariants, along with the persisting vaccination disparities highlighted a need for in-depth knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 sero-epidemiology in children. Here, we conducted this systematic review to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and determinants in children worldwide. In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, we searched international and preprinted scientific databases from December 1, 2019 to July 10, 2022. Pooled seroprevalences were estimated according to World Health Organization (WHO) regions (at 95% confidence intervals, CIs) using random-effects meta-analyses. Associations with SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and sources of heterogeneity were investigated using sub-group and meta-regression analyses. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022350833). We included 247 studies involving 757,075 children from 70 countries. Seroprevalence estimates varied from 7.3% (5.8-9.1%) in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to 37.6% (18.1-59.4%) in the fifth wave and 56.6% (52.8-60.5%) in the sixth wave. The highest seroprevalences in different pandemic waves were estimated for South-East Asia (17.9-81.8%) and African (17.2-66.1%) regions; while the lowest seroprevalence was estimated for the Western Pacific region (0.01-1.01%). Seroprevalence estimates were higher in children at older ages, in those living in underprivileged countries or regions, and in those of minority ethnic backgrounds. Our findings indicate that, by the end of 2021 and before the Omicron wave, around 50-70% of children globally were still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, clearly emphasising the need for more effective vaccines and better vaccination coverage among children and adolescents, particularly in developing countries and minority ethnic groups. None.

A Survey of Living Conditions and Psychological Distress in Japanese University Freshmen during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, educational institutions have implemented measures such as school closures, raising concerns regarding the increase in psychological distress among university students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that have influenced psychological distress among college freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire survey was conducted at the conclusion of the sixth wave of COVID-19 in Japan. Psychological distress was measured using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Factors affecting psychological distress were calculated using regression analysis. Of the 2536 participants, 1841 (72.6%) reported having no psychological distress, while 695 (27.4%) reported having psychological distress. Factors that were identified to contribute to psychological distress were lack of sleep, weight gain or loss, worsening of interpersonal relationships, and physical symptoms and illnesses. A willingness to join an athletic club and having an environment in which it is easy to discuss worries and anxieties with others were factors that were identified to hinder psychological distress. It is necessary for universities to offer enhanced supports for physical and interpersonal activities. Additionally, it is imperative to encourage students to look after their physical health and to actively utilize university-based consultation systems.

THE EFFECT OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL SOCIAL SUPPORT OF OLDER KOREAN VOLUNTEERS ON LIFE SATISFACTION

Abstract As well as helping others, senior volunteers, like other seniors, need their own social support. However, unlike general older adults, older volunteers can build many social networks through volunteering. This study aims to examine how structural and functional social support of older volunteers affects their life satisfaction.This study used the sixth additional wave (2016) and the seventh wave (2017) of the Korean Retirement and Income Study. The subjects of this study were volunteers who are aged 60 and older, and the sample size was 241. Multiple regression was used for data analysis. Demographic variables were controlled. As for independent variables, structural and functional social support were used. For the dependent variable, life satisfaction was used. Structural social support was measured by the number of related subjects. For functional social support, Cohen and Syme (1985)'s social support scale, which includes instrumental, emotional, informational, and evaluative support, was used.According to the results of the study, structural support did not significantly affect the life satisfaction of older volunteers, but functional support had a significant effect on life satisfaction. Structural support was not significant because volunteers had many networks through volunteering. However, the functional social support of receiving practical help significantly increased the life satisfaction of the volunteers. These findings imply that having someone who can help them is an important factor in increasing life satisfaction.

THE EFFECT OF SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS ON THE LIFE SATISFACTION AND HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS

Abstract This study examines the effects of subjective and objective relationships among older adults on life satisfaction. Human beings are social animals and must live in relationships with people. In particular, in a situation where social networks decrease in old age, objective or subjective social relationships that can receive help when needed, and satisfaction with such relationships can improve the quality of life in old age. This study used the sixth additional wave (2016) and the seventh wave (2017) of the Korean Retirement Income Study. The subjects of this study were older adults who are aged 65 and older, and the sample size was 3,423. The number of objective relationships, subjective social support, relational satisfaction, and having a spouse and children were used as independent variables. Life satisfaction and health were used as dependent variables. Demographic variables were controlled. Multiple regression was used for data analysis. The more objective relationships there were, the higher the life satisfaction and health. Subjective social support also significantly increased life satisfaction and health. Satisfaction with interpersonal relationships also significantly increased both life satisfaction and health. Having a spouse made a significant difference in affecting life satisfaction and health. The results showed that both subjective and objective relationships in old age improved the quality of life of older adults, but the presence or absence of children made no significant difference in affecting life satisfaction or health. This implies that as you get older, you may find that having a spouse becomes very important.

The influence of internet use frequency, family atmosphere, and academic performance on adolescent depression: Based on the chain mediating effect of self-adjustment and campus deviant behavior

Depression has become a prominent psychological problem among young people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the frequency of Internet use, family atmosphere, academic performance, self-adjustment, campus deviant behavior, and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Based on the survey data of the fifth wave (2017~2018) and the sixth wave (2019~2020) of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study used LISREL8.8 software to analyze 1,577 10~15 data on adolescents. In this study, the mean score of self-adjustment was 42.40 (SD = 6.79), the mean score of campus deviant behavior was 12.59 (SD = 4.00), the mean score of depressive symptoms in 2018 was 11.88 (SD = 3.04), and the mean score of depressive symptoms in 2020 was 7.64 (SD = 2.20). Secondly, the frequency of Internet use had no direct effect on the depressive symptoms of adolescents, family atmosphere was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.005), and academic performance was positively correlated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.005). Depressive symptoms in 2020 had a direct effect (β = 0.37, p < 0.001), and also had a negative effect on depressive symptoms in 2020, with a total effect of-0.07 (p < 0.001); self-adjustment had no direct effect on depressive symptoms in adolescents in 2018, However, the total effect was -0.14 (p < 0.001), which had a significant positive effect on 2020 depressive symptoms, and the total effect was 0.18 (p < 0.001), and self-adjustment had a significant negative effect on adolescent campus deviant behavior (β = -0.38, p < 0.001); in addition, the frequency of Internet use, family atmosphere, and academic performance all had indirect effects on adolescents' 2020 depressive symptoms, with total effects of -0.60, 0.01, and 0.02 (p < 0.001), respectively. This study also found depressive symptoms in adolescents have a certain persistence in time. Based on this study, it is necessary to pay more attention to the depression of adolescents, strengthen the training of self-adjustment, improve the anti-frustration ability and psychological resilience, and reduce the campus deviant behavior of adolescents. It is recommended to try to start from emotional self-adjustment to promote the personality health of adolescents.

The Future of the Energy Sector and the Global Economy: Prosumer Capitalism and What Comes Next

This paper describes the present and the future of the energy sector in relation to the dominant and constantly evolving form of the global economic system. These considerations have their starting point in transformations of the energy sector in prosumer capitalism, which has dramatically changed the picture of the global economy in recent years. Subsequently, a futuristic approach is applied to determine the role and importance of energy from renewable sources for further human development. The main objective of the paper is to explain the current situation of the energy sector in prosumer capitalism and to extrapolate these relationships for the future, considering the need to enter the path of sustainable development to eliminate the global warming processes and climate changes. A review of the existing scientific literature was applied as the research method. The historical wave concept, proposed by Toffler, was found to be highly useful because of its high potential in futurology, where it enables one to study megatrends. The Fourth Wave was linked to prosumer capitalism, and it provided the base for defining the next ones: the Fifth Wave of Computing (ecosocialism) and the Sixth Wave in the form of technological and energy communism (solar communism). It also turned out that the key to solving mankind’s energy problems lies in the global mean entropy budget. The literature review shows that founding the global energy system on solar radiation is the only known method for eliminating the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, which is the source of global warming and, consequently, of climate change. Therefore, the second law of thermodynamics provides a physical, economic, and logical justification for introducing a new and ultimate management form—solar communism—by 2050.

P67 Cumulative Effect of Depression on Health Worsening During The COVID-19 Lockdown Among Diabetic Patients in Europe

A greater burden of depressive symptoms in those with diabetes was observed during COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we investigated the cumulative effect of depression before the pandemic on health worsening during the COVID-19 lockdown in Europe. Individuals aged 65 years or more who responded to the fifth wave (in 2013) from 29 European countries, and reporting treated diabetic condition within the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study were identified. These individuals were followed through the sixth (in 2015) and eighth (2019) waves. The cumulative effect of depression, as the cumulated number of times that depression was declared across multiple waves, was evaluated after identifying health worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic based on a single question in the questionnaire survey conducted within SHARE in the period June-September 2020. The effect of depression was estimated using a marginal structural model accounting for baseline characteristics and time-dependent confounding. In the fifth, six and eighth waves, 5062, 3622 and 1579 patients were identified, respectively, and among the latter, 1140 patients participated in the COVID-19 questionnaire. A logistic regression using baseline covariates yielded an increasing odds ratio of depression on health worsening (OR=3.24; 95%CI=3.17-3.31) during the lockdown. For the marginal structural model, the effect of depression was significant but reduced (OR=1.12; 95%CI=1.01-1.23), suggesting overestimation when accounting for baseline characteristics only. In our study, a significant effect of depression before the pandemic on health worsening during lockdown was revealed. This study highlights the importance of taking control measures on isolated depressive diabetic patients from multiple stakeholder perspectives, including health professionals and health policy makers.

The arthropods of corpses from above ground and from deep below

The Acari are one of the most ubiquitous arthropod inhabitants and associates of human and animal remains. Over 150 years ago, Jean Pierre Mégnin proposed that mites arrive at corpses at two particular stages of the decomposition process, that is within the first and the sixth waves of arthropod arrival or colonisation event (Mégnin, 1895). Now we know that mites actually arrive at each stage of the decomposition process of corpses, in a continuum (Rai et al., 2021). Interestingly, the mite fauna of cadavers is very diverse, and mite species composition varies as decomposition progresses and according to the environment where decomposition occurs (Baker, 2009; Braig &amp; Perotti, 2009). In fact, specific stages of decomposition can be characterised by the associated mite species (Kamaruzaman et al., 2018; Leclercq &amp; Verstraeten, 1988; Mašán et al., 2013; Mégnin, 1895).

Willingness and Predictors of Bystander CPR Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Freshmen Enrolled in a Japanese University.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has decreased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) intervention rates. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the willingness of university freshmen to provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predictors thereof. A cross-sectional survey of 2789 newly enrolled university students was conducted after the end of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan; predictors of willingness to provide BCPR were assessed by regression analysis. Of the 2534 participants 1525 (60.2%) were willing to intervene and provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hesitancy due to the anxiety that CPR intervention might result in poor prognosis was a negative predictor of willingness. In contrast, anxiety about the possibility of infection during CPR intervention did not show a negative impact. On the other hand, interest in CPR and willingness to participate in a course, confidence in CPR skills, awareness of automated external defibrillation, and knowledge of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also positive predictors. This study suggests that the barrier to willingness to intervene with BCPR during a COVID-19 pandemic is not fear of infection, but rather hesitation due to the possibility of poor prognosis from the intervention. The significance of conducting this study during the COVID-19 epidemic is great, and there is an urgent need for measures to overcome hesitation regarding BCPR.

Investigation of Factors Affecting COVID-19 and Sixth Wave Management Using a System Dynamics Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the world into a health and economic crisis never seen before since the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. The closure of schools and universities, the banning of rallies, and other social distancing in countries have been done to disrupt the transmission of the virus. Governments have planned to reduce restrictions on corona management by implementing vaccination programs. This research aims to better understand the Coronavirus disease's behavior, identify the prevalent factors, and adopt effective policies to control the pandemic. This study examines the different scenarios of releasing the constraints and returning to normal conditions before Corona to analyze the results of different scenarios to prevent the occurrence of subsequent peaks. The system dynamics approach is an effective means of studying COVID-19's behavioral characteristics. The factors that affect Coronavirus disease outbreak and control by expanding the basic SEIR model, interventions, and policies, such as vaccination, were investigated in this research. Based on the obtained results, the most critical factor in reducing the prevalence of the disease is reducing the behavioral risks of people and increasing the vaccination process. Observance of hygienic principles leads to disruption of the transmission chain, and vaccination increases the immunity of individuals against the acute type of infection. In addition, the closure of businesses and educational centers, along with government support for incomes, effectively controls and reduces the pandemic, which requires cooperation between the people and the government. In a situation where a new type of corona has spread, if the implementation of the policy of reducing restrictions and reopening schools and universities is done without planning, it will cause a lot of people to suffer.

Statistical Analysis of Mortality Rates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients in Japan Across the 4C Mortality Score Risk Groups, Age Groups, and Epidemiological Waves: A Report From the Nationwide COVID-19 Cohort.

The mortality rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been changed across the epidemiological waves. The aim was to investigate the differences in mortality rates of COVID-19 patients in Japan across the 6 epidemiological waves stratified by age group and Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium (4C) mortality score risk group. A total of 56 986 COVID-19 patients in the COVID-19 Registry Japan from 2 March 2020 to 1 February 2022 were enrolled. These patients were categorized into 4 risk groups based on their 4C mortality score. Mortality rates of each risk group were calculated separately for different age groups: 18-64, 65-74, 75-89, and ≥90 years. In addition, mortality rates across the wave periods were calculated separately in 2 age groups: <75 and ≥75 years. All calculated mortality rates were compared with reported data from the United Kingdom (UK) during the early epidemic. The mortality rates of patients in Japan were significantly lower than in the UK across the board, with the exception of patients aged ≥90 years at very high risk. The mortality rates of patients aged ≥75 years at very high risk in the fourth and fifth wave periods showed no significant differences from those in the UK, whereas those in the sixth wave period were significantly lower in all age groups and in all risk groups. The present analysis showed that COVID-19 patients had a lower mortality rate in the most recent sixth wave period, even among patients ≥75 years old at very high risk.

COVID-19 Clinical Features and Outcomes in Elderly Patients during Six Pandemic Waves.

Many elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 infections are admitted to intensive care units. Age was previously identified as an independent risk factor for death and contributed to the greater severity of COVID-19. The elderly may have diminished lung functions, poor reactions to artificial ventilation, and compromised immune systems. However, it is yet uncertain how each pandemic wave and the predominant SARS-CoV-2 strains contribute to varying results and how patient groups such as the elderly are impacted. Comparing six COVID-19 pandemic waves, the objective of this study was to examine the variation in case severity, symptomatology, ICU hospitalizations, and mortality among SARS-CoV-2-infected elderly individuals. The study followed a retrospective design, including 60 eligible patients older than 70 years in each of the six pandemic wave groups, after matching them by the number of comorbidities and gender. SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first, third, and fourth pandemic waves had a significantly higher risk of mortality for hospitalized patients. Confusion and dyspnea at admission were significant risk factors for ICU admission in elderly patients (β = 1.92, respectively β = 3.65). The laboratory parameters identified decreased lymphocytes (β = 2.11), elevated IL-6 (β = 1.96), and procalcitonin (β = 2.46) as the most significant risk factors. The third and fourth COVID-19 waves had considerably more severe infections (31.7% and 26.7%) than the sixth wave (13.3%). Median ICU stay and percentage of patients receiving oxygen support also differed across pandemic waves. However, mortality rates between the six pandemic waves were similar. The average length of hospitalization varied dramatically among the six pandemic waves. Although senior patients are more likely to have worse COVID-19 outcomes after hospitalization, this risk is mitigated by the greater prevalence of comorbidities and frailty among the elderly. The six pandemic waves that were specifically evaluated did not reveal considerably disproportionate variations in terms of patient mortality; however, during the fourth pandemic wave, there were likely more hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 in Romania. It is probable that certain circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains were more infectious, resulting in an increase in infections and a strain on healthcare systems, which might explain the variations found in our research.

Influence of government communication on risk perception. An analysis based on the context of the sixth wave of Covid-19 in Madrid

Risk theorists have frequently discussed the discursive construction of risk perception. In particular, the effect of media consumption on increasing the subjective perception of risk has been highlighted. Not much is known about how government communication affects citizens’ impressions and attitudes in this area, something that this research seeks to address. During the sixth wave of Covid-19, triggered by the emergence of the Omicron variant, government discourse shifted from initial concern to what has become known as the “influenzaisation” paradigm, an attempt to normalise the disease. Based on the results of a survey carried out in January 2022 amongst 664 citizens of the Community of Madrid, we sought to demonstrate, using binary logistic regression (BLR) models, to what extent the degree to which the citizens of Madrid internalised the government’s thesis of “influenzaisation” was related to a lower perception of risk. Similarly, the aim is to show whether agreement with the “influenzaisation” thesis also favoured positions that were less inclined to restrictions, so that government communication succeeded in reducing the social demand for measures. Finally, the study evaluates the predictive character of ideology on levels of risk perception and attitudes towards restrictive measures. The findings indicate that acceptance of the “influenzaisation” story led to a lower perception of risk and, as a consequence, reduced support for restrictive measures among those most exposed to this thesis. The discursive articulation of risk in government communication becomes a central element of crisis management and the strategic formulation of “risk de-escalation” or “post-risk” messages.

How do political opportunities impact protest potential? A multilevel cross-national assessment

This article tests the general explanatory power of political opportunity theory for cross-national variations in protest throughout the world, and considers how opportunities influence individual-level characteristics crucial for coalition-formation and campaigns. This study constructs a multilevel model of protest potential, using survey data from individuals across 43 countries, drawn from the fifth and sixth waves of the World Values Survey, combined with political, economic, and cultural factors measured for each country. While many individual factors predicted individuals’ protest potential, a mixture of country-level factors—including select political opportunities—are of general importance. Country-level regime durability and empowerment rights moderated the effect of organization membership, social trust, and political ideology on protest, demonstrating how political opportunity interacts to enhance the impact of individual characteristics relevant to coalition-building and campaigns.

Older Adults and Positive Mental Health during the Second and Sixth COVID-19 Waves in Spain.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus was a worldwide phenomenon, which was unprecedented in modern times. The restriction measures can be perceived as a heavy burden for mental health during this period, particularly for some groups. The aim of this study is to examine a positive mental health model across ages, where a moderated mediation model is proposed involving sex differences and confidence in coping with COVID-19. Two independent samples were studied during the second and sixth waves in Spain: n = 2861 and n = 2462, respectively. The main conclusions can be described as follows: (i) while age was not related to mental health during the second wave, a positive relationship was found between it and the sixth one; (ii) age was positively related to the confidence in coping with COVID-19 during both of the waves; (iii) women showed worse scores for the variables in the study than the men did during the second wave, but this pattern was reversed in the sixth one; (iv) after a moderated mediation model on the relationship between age and positive mental health in terms of confidence in coping with COVID-19 and sex, an interaction was found for the second wave but not for the sixth one. These results suggest that older adults and women would develop more strategies and resources for a positive mental health across time.

Virtual Care in Canada as of the Sixth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Finding the Right Balance.

Virtual care has stabilized at about one-third of visits as the sixth wave of the pandemic in Canada ebbs from about twice that at the peak of the first wave but is up more than tenfold from pre-pandemic levels. This has created huge changes and challenges, which the author reviews in an attempt to make workable policy recommendations and find a balance among competing priorities. Falk revisits recommendations from his Health Canada report (Falk 2021), updating and expanding on recommendations concerning remuneration, licensure, equity and access. He introduces newly available data on specialty and primary care use and discusses the practical implications for change management and system development. He expands his recommendations for aggressive regulatory changes and standards for digital health and virtual care.

Response to Commentaries on Virtual Care as of the Sixth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This is a brief response to the nine commentaries on my paper regarding virtual care as of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (Falk 2022). Virtual care and its digital support infrastructure have had an iterative developmental path since the arrival of the pandemic in early 2020. Real-time policy making has been the norm in the field, and iteration by thoughtful opinion leaders seems a sensible way of continuing to move the discussion forward.

Virtual Care in Canada as of the Sixth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Finding the Right Balance - An Indigenous Perspective.

The constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care. The role of virtual care in the mix of healthcare services is being re-examined as the pandemic evolves. For many diverse Indigenous communities (rural, remote, urban), virtual care has the potential to increase access to healthcare and improv health outcomes, or to worsen existing inequities. Thoughtful co-design of virtual care programs, attention to user experience and enabling policy decisions can unlock the potential of virtual care for Indigenous individuals and communities.

Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis on Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors and their Partners

Abstract Background Cancer survivors (CS) often experience physical, psychological and socioeconomic problems, which may have a negative effect on their quality of life (QoL). Additionally, cancer may also have a significant impact on patientś families, particularly their partners (PCS), who are typically the main informal caregiver. Objective To estimate the association between a cancer diagnosis and a poor QoL among both members of the couples, according to sociodemographic, health-related and cancer characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on data from the Sixth Wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe - SHARE, conducted in 2015, in 18 countries. All cancer survivors (n = 2,040) who lived with a partner in the same household, as well as PCS (n = 2,040) were selected, and were country-, sex-, age- and education-matched (1:1) to non-cancer individuals (NC) and their partners (PNC), respectively. QoL was assessed using the Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure scale (CASP-12). The association between a cancer diagnosis and a poor QoL among both members of the couple was estimated through odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results In nearly one-fifth of couples, both members reported a poor QoL (17.0%); this outcome was more frequently observed among CS than NC (OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.10-1.56). A tendency towards stronger odds of poor QoL among both couples’ members was observed among CS who lived in urban areas (OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.30-2.80), with no multimorbidity (OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.14-3.76), as well as among those diagnosed &amp;lt;5 years (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.21-2.24) and with cancers with a usually poor prognosis (OR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.04-3.18), when compared with respective NC. Conclusions A poor QoL among both couples’ members was more frequent among couples dealing with cancer than those without cancer, which highlights the importance of closely monitoring CS and their partners, throughout the cancer survivorship course. Key messages • Couples dealing with cancer more frequently reported a worse quality of life among both members, when compared with couples without cancer. • The findings of this study highlights the importance of family-focused care from an early phase after the cancer diagnosis and throughout the cancer survivorship trajectory.