Background Individual susceptibility to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome is related to age and most frequent comorbidities. So far, it is known that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily infects the type II pneumocytes in humans, with the help of transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2). Up to now, the only known transcriptional promoters of genes coding TMPRSS2 are androgenic. Theoretically, the elevated level of androgens or androgen receptors would lead to a higher expression of TMPRSS2 and a higher level of viremia as a consequence. Aim The aim of our research was to indirectly investigate if the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is dependent on the expression of androgen receptors. Methods This observational study analysed male patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection with respect to the length of hospitalisation, the outcome of the disease, the type of necessary oxygen support and the presence of comorbidities and hairiness. In hairiness estimation, we used an adapted version of the Hamilton-Norwood scale and the presence of the Gabrin sign. Results In total, 208 patients were enrolled in the study. There were statistically significant differences comparing the average age of patients with the different types of alopecia when groups were divided according to the presence of the Gabrin sign (t = 4.958, p > 0.01). The outcomes and the type of needed minimal oxygen support, compared with the type of alopecia in the case of Gabrin + / − classification showed a statistically significant difference in the outcome of the disease (p = 0.027). There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of comorbidities among alopecia groups, but hypertension was related to poor COVID-19 prognosis. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the Gabrin sign and hypertension are related to a poor COVID-19 prognosis.
Background: Data on the psychological consequences of social isolation imposed by the global public health threat of the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Mentally healthy people and psychiatric patients react to stress in different ways. Goal:To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population and the population of psychiatric patients in Vojvodina. Material and Methods:The study is designed as a cross-sectional study. It was conducted during April, May and June 2020 at the end and immediately after the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Serbia on the territory of Novi Sad. Participants were divided into two groups -a clinical group of patients with mental disorders and a control group composed of the healthy volunteers. A self-assessment questionnaire was used to collect data on the presence of anxiety and symptoms of depression and behavioral disorders that indicate increased levels of stress -such as insomnia, sedative abuse.Results: Anxiety, fear, panic attacks (50%), depressive symptoms (42%), sleep problems (30%) and sedative abuse (25%) were the most commonly reported psychiatric symptoms. Healthy subjects did not show a statistically significant presence of any symptoms and signs associated with mental problems. Conclusion:The results support the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of psychiatric patients. It can be expected that the most pronounced effects of the pandemic on mental health in the general population will be visible in the future.
Background and Objectives: The highly infectious novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and soon became a global pandemic. COVID-19 is escalating medical staff psychological. In Novi Sad Clinical Centre of Vojvodina (CCV) for the past 2 years there has been a continuous struggle against the COVID-19 crisis. Both senior specialist doctors and newly hired young doctors, some without work experience, were hired immediately after completing their studies. Aim: To investigate the mental health of clinical first-line medical staff in COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving CCV staff who worked in the first line of patient treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were given a self- administered questionnaire which included information on demographic and socio- economic characteristics and the validated DASS-21 and IES-R scale instrument. A total of 200 medical workers were involved. Results: Twenty-eight (14%) participants screened positive for depression, 49 (24,5%) for anxiety, 66 (33%) for stress, and 22 (11%) for clinical concern of PTSD. The most endangered are young nurses and doctors with less than 6 months of previous work experience. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results suggest frontline medical staff involved in treatment of COVID-19 patients should be closely monitored as a high-risk group for depression and anxiety, and given proper training before deployment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.