Objectives. To investigate the prevalence of neuropathic pain symptoms and to analyze the correlation between neuropathic symptoms with pain-related, psychological, and cognitive variables in COVID-19 survivors exhibiting “de novo” post-COVID pain. Methods. Seventy-seven (n = 77) previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors presenting with post-COVID pain completed demographic (such as age, height, and weight), pain-related (the duration and intensity of pain), psychological (depressive/anxiety levels), and cognitive (catastrophizing and kinesiophobia) variables. The Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire was also assessed. After conducting multivariable correlation analyses, a stepwise multiple linear regression model was performed to identify S-LANSS predictors. Results. Participants were assessed a mean of 6.0 (SD 0.8) months after hospital discharge. Nineteen (24.6%) exhibited neuropathic pain symptoms (S-LANSS score≥12 points). The S-LANSS score was positively associated with the duration of post-COVID pain (r: 0.262), anxiety levels (r: 0.275), and kinesiophobia level (r: 0.291) (all, P  < 0.05). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 12.8% of the S-LANSS variance was just explained by kinesiophobia. Conclusion. This study found that almost 25% of previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors with “de novo” post-COVID pain reported a neuropathic pain component. The presence of neuropathic pain symptomatology was associated with more anxiety and kinesiophobia, but only kinesiophobia level was significantly associated explaining 12.8% of the variance of the S-LANSS score.

Background and AimThe use of venous catheters is a widespread practice, especially in oncological and oncohematological units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in a cohort of patients.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we included all patient carrying PICCs (n = 603) inserted at our institute between October 2010 and December 2013. The main variables collected were medical diagnosis, catheter care, location, duration of catheterization, reasons for catheter removal, complications, and nursing care. Complications were classified as infection, thrombosis, phlebitis, migration, edema, and/or ecchymosis.ResultsAll patients were treated according to the same “nursing care” protocol. The incidence rate of complications was two cases per 1000 days of catheter duration. The most relevant complications were infection and thrombosis, both with an incidence of 0.17 cases per 1000 days of the total catheterization period. The total average duration of catheterization was 170 days [SD 6.06]. Additionally to “end of treatment” (48.42%) and “exitus”, (22.53%) the most frequent cause of removal was migration (displacement towards the exterior) of the catheter (5.80%).ConclusionsPICCs are safe devices that allow the administration of long-term treatment and preserve the integrity of the venous system of the patient. Proper care of the catheter is very important to improve the quality life of patients with oncologic and hematologic conditions. Therefore, correct training of professionals and patients as well as following the latest scientific recommendations are particularly relevant.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to describe the experience of using a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in cancer sufferers receiving outpatient treatment.MethodsA qualitative, phenomenological study was performed. Purposeful sampling methods were used. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews and researcher field notes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. The study was conducted following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.ResultsEighteen patients (61% women, mean age 58 years) participated. They spent a mean duration of 155 days with the line in place. Two themes were identified with different subgroups. The theme “Living with a PICC line,” including the subthemes “Benefits” and “Disadvantages,” displays how the implantation is experienced by patients in a dichotomous manner. This highlighted both the beneficial and negative aspects of the implantation. The second theme was “Adapting to life with the catheter” and comprised three subthemes: “Advantages,” “Lifestyle modifications,” and “Overall assessment of the peripherally inserted central catheter,” which shows how patients gradually accept the catheter by adapting their lifestyle.ConclusionsOver time, most patients considered having a PICC line to be a positive experience that they would recommend to other patients, as they found that it did not alter their quality of life. These results can be applied in Oncology Units for developing specific protocols for patients.

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a treatable disease with a high prevalence, and high morbidity associated with significant socioeconomic costs. Objective To carry out a systematic review of the literature to analyze the main cost studies associated with COPD, in order to determine the main factors that influence the costs of the disease. Methods Searches were conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases for cost studies on COPD published in English, between the years 2015 and 2020. The search terms were “COPD” OR “pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive”, “cost*” OR “cost of illness”, “economic impact” AND “burden of disease”. The inclusion criteria included the identification of reported cost of the disease, economic burden, medical care expenses or use resources for COPD, the methodology used, data sources, and variables studied. Results 18 publications were analyzed: 17 included direct health costs, 6 included direct non-medical costs, 12 analyzed indirect costs and two reported intangible costs. Most of the studies reported data for developed and European countries, with direct costs being the most studied. Trends were observed in multiple studies of direct and healthcare costs for European countries measured by patient and year, where the higher costs were associated with more severe COPD and a frequent history of exacerbations. The highest costs reported corresponded to hospitalizations and the associated pharmacological treatment. The importance of the loss of productivity and premature retirement within the profile of the COPD patient was also highlighted as the main generator of indirect costs of the disease. Conclusion COPD generates substantial costs for the health system, mainly related to moderate to severe stages and the exacerbations and complications entailed. It is important to strengthen health systems with monitoring, evaluation and health education models that allow these patients to remain stable to avoid decompensation and subsequent hospitalizations.

Objective To investigate the association between demographic, clinical, psychological, cognitive, and health‐related variables and the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) in previously hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors exhibiting “de novo” post‐COVID pain. Methods Seventy‐seven ( n = 77) COVID‐19 survivors with “de novo” post‐COVID pain completed demographic (age, height, and weight), clinical (duration and intensity of the pain), psychological (depressive/anxiety levels and sleep quality), cognitive (catastrophizing and kinesiophobia levels), and health‐related quality of life variables as well as the CSI. A multivariable correlation analysis was conducted to determine the association between variables, and a stepwise multiple linear regression model was performed to identify CSI predictors. Results Patients were assessed a mean of 6.0 (SD 0.8) months after hospital discharge. Twenty‐six (33.7%) individuals showed indications of sensitization‐associated symptoms (CSI score ≥40 points). The CSI score was positively associated with pain intensity ( r : 0.371), anxiety ( r : 0.784), depressive ( r : 0.709), catastrophizing ( r : 0.620), and kinesiophobia ( r : 0.359) levels (all, p < 0.001). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 60.2% of CSI was explained by anxiety levels and pain intensity. Conclusion This study found that psychological and cognitive variables were associated with the CSI score in previously hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors with “de novo” post‐COVID pain. Anxiety levels and the intensity of pain symptoms were independently associated with CSI score suggesting a significant overlap with psychological construct. The “de novo” post‐COVID pain association with CSI may indicate changes in the pain processing important for managing the pain.

BackgroundCancer patients often suffer from emotional distress as a result of the oncological process. The purpose of our study was to determine whether practice of Jacobson’s relaxation technique reduced consumption of psychotropic and analgesic drugs in a sample of cancer patients.MethodsThis was a multicenter pre–post intervention design. Participants were 272 patients aged over 18 years attending 10 Spanish public hospitals with oncological pathologies and anxiety symptoms. The intervention consisted of a protocol of abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation training developed by Bernstein and Borkovec. This was followed up by telephone calls over a 1-month period. The intervention was performed between November 2014 and October 2015. Sociodemographic variables related to the oncological process, mental health variables, and intervention characteristics were measured.ResultsA reduction in the consumption of psychotropic and analgesic drugs was observed throughout the follow-up period. Improvement was observed throughout the 4-week follow-up for all the parameters assessed: anxiety, relaxation, concentration, and mastery of the relaxation technique.ConclusionsThe practice of abbreviated Jacobson’s relaxation technique can help to decrease the consumption of psychotropic and analgesic drugs. Patients experienced positive changes in all the evaluated parameters, at least during the 1-month follow-up. To confirm these findings, additional long-term studies are needed that include control groups.Trial registrationISRCTN 81335752, DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN81335752 17. Date of registration: 22/11/2016 (retrospectively registered).

Alcohol consumption is common among young people. We performed a preliminary cross-sectional study among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled for the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria (Spain). We collected information on psychological and sociographic factors, tobacco and cannabis uses, and levels of physical activity by AUDIT questionnaires and in person interviews. The aim of our study was to assess the potential of binge drinking (BD) to adversely affect memory and executive function. We recruited 103 students, of whom 85% were female. The alcohol use pattern of slightly more than one-half of the total population was classified as BD. Among BD students, one-fourth were smokers, and nearly one-third had tried cannabis. The mean onset for alcohol use was 15.11 years. Despite our relatively small sample size, our results show that there are strong relationships between BD and both smoking and cannabis use.

This study aimed to analyze correlations between Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms (S-LANSS) and PainDETECT with proxies of sensitization, pain-related, or psychological/cognitive variables in coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19) survivors exhibiting post-COVID pain. Demographic, clinical, psychological, cognitive, sensitization-associated symptoms, and health-related quality of life were collected in 146 survivors with post-COVID pain. The PainDETECT and S-LANSS questionnaires were used for assessing neuropathic pain-related symptoms. Patients were assessed with a mean of 18.8 (SD 1.8) months after hospitalization. Both questionnaires were positively associated with pain intensity (p < 0.05), anxiety (PainDETECT p < 0.05; S-LANSS p < 0.01), sensitization-associated symptoms (p < 0.01), catastrophism (p < 0.01), and kinesiophobia (p < 0.01) and negatively associated with quality of life (PainDETECT p < 0.05; S-LANSS p < 0.01). Depressive levels were associated with S-LANSS (p < 0.05) but not with PainDETECT. The stepwise regression analyses revealed that 47.2% of S-LANSS was explained by PainDETECT (44.6%), post-COVID pain symptoms duration (1.7%), and weight (1.1%), whereas 51.2% of PainDETECT was explained by S-LANSS (44.6%), sensitization-associated symptoms (5.4%), and anxiety levels (1.2%). A good convergent association between S-LANSS and PainDETECT was found. Additionally, S-LANSS was associated with symptom duration and weight whereas PainDETECT was associated with sensitization-associated symptoms and anxiety levels, suggesting that the two questionnaires evaluate different aspects of the neuropathic pain spectrum in post-COVID pain patients.