International journal of environmental research and public health
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jun 2020
Prevalence of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients in the Balearic Islands (Spain) and Its Effect on COPD Exacerbations: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.
To determine the prevalence of influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and its effect on COPD exacerbations, we conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study analyzing real-life data. We included all registered COPD patients ≥40 years old using respiratory medication during the study period (2012-2013). Influenza vaccination during the 2012/2013 campaign was the parameter studied. ⋯ The protective effect in the analysis restricted to the epidemic period was not significant: aOR: 0.82 (95% CI; 0.58-1.16). We concluded that prevalence of influenza vaccination was suboptimal. In contrast with most of the available evidence, our results did not support a protective effect of influenza vaccination on the risk of admission for COPD exacerbation.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jun 2020
Short-Term Effects of Ambient Ozone, PM2.5, and Meteorological Factors on COVID-19 Confirmed Cases and Deaths in Queens, New York.
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has been rapidly increasing in the United States. Boroughs of New York City, including Queens county, turn out to be the epicenters of this infection. According to the data provided by the New York State Department of Health, most of the cases of new COVID-19 infections in New York City have been found in the Queens county where 42,023 people have tested positive, and 3221 people have died as of 20 April 2020. ⋯ The aim of our regression modeling was to explore the associations among ozone, PM2.5, daily meteorological variables (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, cloud percentages, and precipitation levels), and COVID-19 confirmed new cases and new deaths in Queens county, New York during March and April 2020. The results from these analyses showed that daily average temperature, daily maximum eight-hour ozone concentration, average relative humidity, and cloud percentages were significantly and positively associated with new confirmed cases related to COVID-19; none of these variables showed significant associations with new deaths related to COVID-19. The findings indicate that short-term exposures to ozone and other meteorological factors can influence COVID-19 transmission and initiation of the disease, but disease aggravation and mortality depend on other factors.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jun 2020
ReviewThe Relation between Persistent Post-Traumatic Headache and PTSD: Similarities and Possible Differences.
Post-traumatic headache (PTH) may be considered a secondary headache, which is linked to severe disability and psychosocial impairment. Interestingly, nearly 30% of subjects with persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH) also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although existing studies demonstrated the existence of common pathophysiological characteristics in subjects with migraine and PPTH, the differences and similarities between these complex diseases are currently poorly understood and are yet to be comprehensively elucidated. ⋯ Based on the selected reports, the relation between migraine and PPTH needs to be considered bidirectionally, but PTSD may play a critical role in this relation. The main implications of these findings, with a specific focus on PTSD, are discussed. Further longitudinal studies are needed to reveal the exact nature of this relation, as well as to clarify the distinct clinical characteristics of migraine, PPTH, and PTSD.
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From a healthcare perspective, infection due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and the ensuing syndrome called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) represents the biggest challenge the world has faced in several decades. Particularly worrisome are the high contagiousness of the virus and the saturation of hospitals' capacity due to overwhelming caseloads. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as quarantine and inter-personal distancing are crucial to limiting the spread of the virus in the general population, but more tailored interventions may be needed at an individual level on a case-by-case basis. ⋯ This strategy has been implemented for other respiratory viruses (influenza above all) and was successfully used in South Korea among healthcare workers against the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, by providing people who were exposed to high-risk contacts with lopinavir-ritonavir plus ribavirin. Initial experiences with the use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 also seem promising. Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis might help mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Jun 2020
Observational StudyRelated Health Factors of Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain.
Measures to prevent and contain the COVID-19 health crisis include population confinement, with the consequent isolation and interruption of their usual activities. The aim of the study is to analyse psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this, a cross-sectional observational study with a sample of 4180 people over the age of 18 during quarantine was developed. ⋯ Statistically significant differences were found in the variable working situation (χ² = 63.139, p≤ 0.001, V = 0.123) and living with children under the age of 16 (χ² = 7.393, p = 0.007, V = 0.042). The predictive variables with the highest weight were sex (OR = 1.952, 95% IC = (1.667, 2.286)), presence of symptoms (OR = 1.130, 95% CI = (1.074, 1.190)), and having had close contact with an individual with confirmed COVID-19 (OR = 1.241, 95% CI = (1.026, 1.500)). These results could enrich prevention interventions in public health and, in particular, in mental health in similar pandemic situations.