Articles: covid-19.
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Observational Study
Impact of COVID-19 on acute angle-closure attack: A retrospective study.
To systematically review the characteristics of patients experiencing acute angle closure (AAC) attacks during the COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing. Patients with AAC attacks during the COVID-19 epidemic and those in the same period the following year were recruited. Demographic characteristics, ocular biometry, ocular signs, sequential relationships, and the prognosis of operative management outcome were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. ⋯ Most patients had an ideal prognosis after comprehensive management. An increased incidence of AAC attacks, more bilateral cases and severe anterior segment inflammation were observed during the COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing. There may be a correlation between the onset of AAC attacks and coronavirus infection, but further research is needed to explore this link.
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Observational Study
Age-dependent effects of lockdown and post-lockdown periods on HbA1c during the COVID-19 pandemic: A 3-year longitudinal cohort study.
The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lockdown measures on the metabolic parameters of patients with DM, with particular emphasis on geriatric populations. In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, 1224 patients were analyzed. ⋯ However, there was no change in HbA1c levels for patients over 85 years old during the lockdown. These findings highlight the need for careful monitoring of elderly patients with DM during lockdown periods, facilitated via home care or telehealth services. Structured diet and exercise programs should also be provided for at home adherence.
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Opioid prescription policies may reduce availability of prescription opioids and decrease initiation of opioid analgesic misuse and possible opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder prevalence may have decreased in recent years, but there are few studies on trends of opioid use disorder incidence. The objective of this study was to examine opioid use disorder incidence rates to detect population changes overall and within demographic subgroups over time. ⋯ This study found that the opioid use disorder incidence rate in Vermont decreased overall between July 2017 (policy start limiting opioid analgesic prescriptions) and December 2021, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the most pronounced decrease among adolescents and young adults.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
A temporary hospital intensive care unit: a preparedness concept to increase intensive care capacity.
Norway faced the possibility of the most significant strain on its intensive care capacity in decades during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Regional Health Authorities in Norway were instructed to prepare for an increase in Intensive Care Units (ICU) capacity demands. To address the surge in demand for critical care, a gymnasium within Haukeland University Hospital premises was planned to be used as a 20-bed temporary ICU. A team-based care approach was trained, where non-ICU nurses received specialized training to support ICU procedures. Maintaining up-to-date medical devices and consumables stored for preparedness through a planned rotation system that feeds into daily use are important. While shortages of medical equipment, hospital beds, and intensive care facilities may occur, personnel shortages are likely to be more significant. ⋯ The concept demonstrates promising potential in enhancing preparedness and maintaining critical care surge capacity during pandemics or mass casualty incidents.
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Primary care delivery in the United States, including tobacco treatment, was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, leading to pandemic-related cessation disparities. Early in the public health emergency, rates of tobacco assessment during telehealth visits were substantially lower than during in-person visits. It is unknown if these changes persisted. ⋯ Smoking assessment remained consistently lower during the public health emergency compared with the months prior, primarily driven by lack of assessment during telehealth visits. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure that telehealth visits are leveraged to promote equitable smoking assessment and delivery of evidence-based tobacco treatment among a patient population with high rates of tobacco use.