Maturitas
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Nosocomial COVID-19 in older patients has a high mortality rate. We describe an outbreak of COVID-19 in a geriatric acute care unit (GACU) in March/April 2020 and the lessons learnt regarding prevention. Thirty-six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during that 2-month period, in France's "first wave" of SARS-CoV-2 infections. ⋯ Attributable mortality reached 33.3% in these patients. Healthcare workers (HCW) were not spared, with an overall attack rate of 36.8%, but the rate was especially high among nurse assistants (68.2%). Repeated testing, single rooms, hand hygiene, and good use of personal protective equipment are paramount in GACUs to prevent in-hospital COVID-19 outbreaks.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel for the treatment of symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.
The aim of the present randomized placebo-controlled single-center study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel (Meclon Idra - Alfasigma) in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). The gel is composed of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) oil, aloe vera, 18β-glycyrrhetic acid, hyaluronic acid and glycogen. The study assessed whether the gel can reduce VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, itching, burning sensation) and improve sexual function in postmenopausal women over 12 weeks. ⋯ The present single-center randomized clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of 12-week treatment with a new vaginal gel in postmenopausal women with symptoms associated with VVA. Based on this trial, the gel seems to be a valid choice as a single, local agent for relieving VVA symptoms and improving sexual function, and to have good compliance. This trial is registered prospectively with the Clinical Trials Registry - India, number CTRI/2019/05/01911.
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The world is currently in the grips of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has mutated to allow human-to-human spread. Infection can cause fever, dry cough, fatigue, severe pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and in some instances death. COVID-19 affects the immune system by producing a systemic inflammatory response, or cytokine release syndrome. ⋯ Some of these nutrients have also been shown to have a potential role in the management of COVID-19. In this paper, evidence surrounding the role of these dietary components in immunity as well as their specific effect in COVID-19 patients are discussed. In addition, how supplementation of these nutrients may be used as therapeutic modalities potentially to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 is discussed.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Prophylactic risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA mutation carriers: what is going on in a region of northern Italy?
BRCA1 mutation carriers are recommended to undergo prophylactic risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) between the ages of 35 and 40 or when child bearing is complete, with a possible delay until age 40-45 for BRCA2 mutation carriers. ⋯ The results from this multicentre regional study should guide future preventive health policies for RRSO in BRCA mutation carriers.
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Meta Analysis
Coronavirus disease 2019 and gender-related mortality in European countries: A meta-analysis.
To examine mortality rates related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by gender among European countries. ⋯ In Europe, the new zoonotic coronavirus causes significantly more deaths in men than in women.