An Epidemiological Study on the Prevalence of the Clinical Features of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Romanian People

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the clinical features of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in Romanian population through a novel online survey. The survey included categorical socio-demographic and health-related variables. A total of 1830 participants were selected for statistical data processing (a response rate of 90.9%). We determined reasonable reliability of the survey section for clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Cronbach’s Alpha 0.671). Two meaningful dimensions were identified through CATPCA (Categorical Principal Component Analysis) for the survey’s items. We separated two significant clusters of items, each measuring a distinct factor: the sociodemographic characteristics linked to social distancing and the relevant clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Next, a two-step cluster analysis helped to classify the sample group taking into consideration the similarity of subjects. The clustering revealed a three-cluster solution, with significant differences between clusters and allowed the cluster detection of a group of individuals, possibly more affected by the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Through binomial logistic regression analysis, we identified a statistically significant prediction model for the presumptive diagnostic of some relevant clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study validated a cost-effective model for rapid assessment of the health status of subjects, adapted to the context of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention

“…Awareness of COVID-19-presenting symptoms remained mostly unchanged across the two time frames, except for a lower proportion of respondents considering cough, abdominal pain, and cutaneous eruptions as characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease. Similar data for symptomatology were presented in Romanian studies related to COVID-19 [ 11 , 14 , 28 ].…”

“…Awareness of COVID-19-presenting symptoms remained mostly unchanged across the two time frames, except for a lower proportion of respondents considering cough, abdominal pain, and cutaneous eruptions as characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease. Similar data for symptomatology were presented in Romanian studies related to COVID-19 [11,14,28]. Some of the main adverse effects associated with the antiviral drugs used in COVID-19 might be confused and need differential diagnosis with the baseline disease symptomatology, such as nausea, abnormal hepatic function, skin rash, or kidney injury for remdesivir, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, asthenia, headache, or abnormal hepatic function for lopinavir/ritonavir, nasopharyngitis, headache, transaminases elevation for tocilizumab, or ataxia, psychosis, and seizures for ivermectin [27].…”

The Influence of Weather Conditions on the Diurnal Variation in Range of Motion in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

“…The purpose of the two-way ANOVA with repeated measures analysis was to assess the impact of seasonal variations and different times of the day on VAS pain scores, VAS stiffness scores, and total ROM for the knee. This method allows us to discern not only the main effects of each factor but also their interaction effect [ 41 ], providing a comprehensive understanding of how these variables are influenced by both seasonal changes and the specific moments within a day. The aim of the two-way ANOVA with repeated measures analysis was to discern significant differences and patterns in the data, in order to clarify the relationship between the variables under investigation.…”

Comparative Analysis of Social Networks in Institutionalized Older Adults versus Aging-in-Place Scenarios

“…The importance of virtual networks has significantly increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a restriction of direct social contacts [19]. In general, older people's challenging living conditions highlight issues like financial insecurity, limited health care, declining health, and social problems.…”