Immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella among homeless individuals in Germany - A nationwide multi-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Homeless individuals suffer a high burden of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Moreover, they are particularly susceptible to adverse infection outcomes with limited access to the health care system. Data on the seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella within this cohort are missing. Methods: The seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella was determined within the homeless population in Germany. Predictors of lacking immune protection were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Homeless individuals in Germany (n = 611) showed a seroprevalence of 88.5% (95% CI: 85.8-91.0) for measles, 83.8% (95% CI: 80.6-86.6) for mumps, 86.1% (95% CI: 83.1-88.7) for rubella, and 95.7% (95% CI 93.8-97.2) for varicella. Measles seroprevalences declined from individuals born in 1965 to individuals born in 1993, with seroprevalences not compatible with a 95% threshold in individuals born after 1980. For mumps, seroprevalences declined from individuals born in 1950 to individuals born in 1984. Here, seroprevalences were not compatible with a 92% threshold for individuals born after 1975. Seronegativity for measles, mumps and rubella was associated with age but not with gender or country of origin. Discussion: Herd immunity for measles and mumps is not achieved in this homeless cohort, while there was sufficient immune protection for rubella and varicella. Declining immune protection rates in younger individuals warrant immunization campaigns also targeting marginalized groups such as homeless individuals. Given that herd immunity thresholds are not reached for individuals born after 1980 for measles, and after 1975 for mumps, vaccination campaigns should prioritize individuals within these age groups.

[Health of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Gesundheit wohnungsloser Menschen während der COVID-19-Pandemie.

The living situation and health of homeless people differs from the general population in many ways. It is reasonable to assume that the homeless population has been particularly vulnerable during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This narrative review will summarize the current literature on the health and care of homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature research was performed between December 2022 and February 2023. In addition to the current national and international literature, findings from the "National Survey on the Psychiatric and Somatic Health of Homeless Individuals" (NAPSHI study) will be synopsized, examining psychiatric and somatic diseases as well as the care for homeless people in Germany.Homeless individuals are often mentally and physically ill and have limited access to the regular medical care system. Facilities with group rooms and dormitories pose a risk for outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. As suspected, evidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 (SARS-CoV­2) infections emerged more frequently in homeless individuals than in the general population during the pandemic. Many of the infected individuals were asymptomatic. High rates of those unknowingly infected homeless individuals may have contributed to the spread of the viral disease. However, uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreaks, as feared by some researchers at the beginning of the pandemic, were not observed.

Determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Thus far, there is very limited knowledge regarding homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Thus, our aim was to evaluate HRQoL and to clarify the determinants of HRQoL among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. METHODS: Data were taken from the national survey on psychiatric and somatic health of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic-NAPSHI (n = 616). The established EQ-5D-5L was used to quantify problems in five health dimensions, and its visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) was used to record self-rated health status. Sociodemographic factors were included in regression analysis. RESULTS: Pain/discomfort was the most frequently reported problem (45.3%), thereafter anxiety/depression (35.9%), mobility (25.4%), usual activities (18.5%) and self-care (11.4%). Average EQ-VAS score was 68.97 (SD: 23.83), and the mean EQ-5D-5L index was 0.85 (SD: 0.24). Regressions showed that higher age and having a health insurance were associated with several problem dimensions. Being married was associated with higher EQ-VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study findings showed a quite high HRQoL among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Some important determinants of HRQoL were identified (e.g., age or marital status). Longitudinal studies are required to confirm our findings.

Outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and cardiopulmonary bypass in children after drowning-related resuscitation.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in children worldwide. However, the use of long-term extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in this setting is not widely established, and rewarming is often achieved by short-term cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) treatment. Thus, we sought to add our experience with this means of support as a bridge-to-recovery or to-decision. This retrospective single-center study analyzes the outcome of 11 children (median 23 months, minimum-maximum 3 months-6.5 years) who experienced drowning and subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between 2005 and 2016 and who were supported by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), CPB, or first CPB then ECMO. All but one incident took place in sweet water. Submersion time ranged between 10 and 50 minutes (median 23 minutes), water temperature between 2°C and 28°C (median 14°C), and body core temperature upon arrival in the emergency department between 20°C and 34°C (median 25°C). Nine patients underwent ongoing CPR from the scene until ECMO or CPB initiation in the operating room. The duration of ECMO or CPB before successful weaning/therapy withdrawal ranged between 2 and 322 hours (median 19 hours). A total of four patients (36%) survived neurologically mildly or not affected after 4 years of follow-up. The data indicate that survival is likely related to a shorter submersion time and lower water temperature. Resuscitation of pediatric patients after drowning has a poor outcome. However, ECMO or CPB might promote recovery in selected cases or serve as a bridge-to-decision tool.

Predictors of Loneliness among Homeless Individuals in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify the frequency of loneliness and to examine the factors associated with loneliness among homeless individuals in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data were taken from the 'national survey on the psychiatric and somatic health of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic'. The data collection took place from 26th July to 17th September 2021 (the analytical sample included n = 491 observations). The well-established UCLA-3 tool was used to quantify loneliness. Independent variables included sex, age, marital status, the existence of children and pets, level of education, country of origin, duration of homelessness, alcohol and drug consumption, mental health concerns and concerns regarding COVID-19 illness. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the predictors of loneliness. RESULTS: The frequency of loneliness was 41.7% for the total sample. Multiple logistic regression analysis stratified by gender showed that a higher likelihood of loneliness was associated with being born in Germany, being middle aged (40 to 49 years compared to 18 to 29 years), having mental health problems and a short period of homelessness (1 month compared to longer periods) among women. In men, a higher likelihood of loneliness was associated with a higher fear of COVID-19 and a short period of homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a high frequency rate of loneliness among homeless individuals. The study results highlight the associations between some explanatory variables (i.e., the duration of homelessness and mental health problems). Identifying the factors associated with loneliness may help to adequately address the problems of homeless individuals at risk of loneliness. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm our findings.

Fear of COVID-19 among homeless individuals in Germany in mid-2021.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence and the correlates of fear of COVID-19 among homeless individuals. Methods: We used data from the "national survey on psychiatric and somatic health of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic" (NAPSHI-study) which took place in several large cities in Germany in Mid-2021 (n = 666 in the analytical sample). Mean age equaled 43.3 years (SD: 12.1 years), ranging from 18 to 80 years. Multiple linear regressions were performed. Results: In our study, 70.9% of the homeless individuals reported no fear of COVID-19. Furthermore, 14.0% reported a little fear of COVID-19, 8.4% reported some fear of COVID-19 and 6.7% reported severe fear of COVID-19. Multiple linear regressions revealed that fear of COVID-19 was higher among individuals aged 50-64 years (compared to individuals aged 18-29 years: ß = 0.28, p < 0.05), among individuals with a higher perceived own risk of contracting the coronavirus 1 day (ß = 0.28, p < 0.001) as well as among individuals with a higher agreement that a diagnosis of the coronavirus would ruin his/her life (ß = 0.15, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Only a small proportion of homeless individuals reported fear of COVID-19 in mid-2021 in Germany. Such knowledge about the correlates of higher levels of fear of COVID-19 may be helpful for addressing certain risk groups (e.g., homeless individuals aged 50-64 years). In a further step, avoiding extraordinarily high levels of fear of COVID-19 may be beneficial to avoid irrational thinking and acting regarding COVID-19 in this group.

Impact of delayed sternal closure on wound infections following neonatal and infant cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed sternal closure is a routine procedure to reduce hemodynamic and respiratory instability in pediatric patients following cardiac surgery, particularly in neonates and infants. In this setting, the possible links between sternal wound infection and delayed sternal closure are still a matter of debate. As a part of our routine, there was a low threshold for delayed sternal closure, so we reviewed our experience with sternal wound infections with a focus on potentially related perioperative risk factors, particularly delayed sternal closure. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 358 operated neonates (37%) and infants (mean age 3.6 months) in our local congenital heart disease database between January 2013 and June 2017. Potential risk factors for sternal wound infections, such as age, gender, complexity (based on Aristotle- and STS-EACTS mortality category), reoperation, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mortality and delayed sternal closure (163/358, 46%), were subjected to uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 26/358 patients (7.3%) developed a superficial sternal wound infection. There were no deep sternal wound infections, no mediastinitis or sepsis. Applying univariate analysis, the prevalence of sternal wound infections was related to younger age, more complex surgery and delayed sternal closure. However, in multivariate analysis, sternal wound infection was only associated with delayed sternal closure (p = 0.013, odds ratio 8.6). Logistic regression revealed the prevalence of delayed sternal closure to be related to younger age, complexity, and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. CONCLUSION: In patients younger than one year, sternal wound infections are clearly related to delayed sternal closure. However, in our cohort, all sternal wound infections were superficial and acceptable, considering the improved postoperative hemodynamic stability.

Using three-dimensional visualization as an optimal tool to plan and validate an aortopexy in a congenital heart disease patient with severe tracheal stenosis.

We present a patient with severe tracheal stenosis resulting from a compression by the innominate artery 6 months after an arterial switch operation in a dextro-transposition of the great arteries. Segmentation and three-dimensional (3D) visualization were derived from a contrast-enhanced dual-source computed tomography and post-processing was performed using a dedicated open-source platform (3D Slicer). Post-processing allowed a comprehensible visualization of the relationship of the innominate artery to the trachea when compared to standard computer tomography reformations. Finally, the surgical approach to move the innominate artery anteriorly in order to relieve the tracheal obstruction was emphasized based on the improved 3D visualization of the actual pathology. An effective aortopexy could be performed and the postoperative result was confirmed by a second 3D visualization. About 3 months of follow-up, the patient is completely asymptomatic. Three-dimensional visualization offers excellent opportunities for diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up in patients with a vascular-related tracheal stenosis in the context of congenital heart disease.

[Use of Health Care by Homeless Individuals: Results of the Hamburg Survey of Homeless Individuals]. / Inanspruchnahme von Gesundheitsleistungen bei Obdachlosen: Ergebnisse der Hamburger Obdachlosenbefragung.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of studies focusing on the use of health care facilities by homeless people. The aim of this study was to survey health care use by the homeless. METHODS: Data were taken from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals (n=150, mean age:12,5 years; SD: 12,5 years). Assessment covered details of health insurance status, use of ambulatory and hospital care, medication use, and reasons for not accessing health services. RESULTS: In total, 61,2% of the homeless individuals had health insurance. About two thirds of homeless individuals (65,9%) had accessed some sort of medical services in the past 12 months. The key reason for not making use of health services was the absence of any need for treatment (74,6%). In sum, 39,8% of homeless individuals had made at least one hospital visit in the past 12 months. About one third (34,2%) had used mobile support services (mainly a mobile doctor's office). In total, 37,7% of homeless individuals took medications regularly, with 'prices too high' (63,6%) being the key reason for difficulties in access to medications. Almost one half of homeless individuals (47,0%) had not made a visit to a physician in the past three months. CONCLUSION: Additional efforts are required to improve access to health care by homeless individuals. Future research in this area is therefore necessary.

Investigating the use of PEth, CDT and MCV to evaluate alcohol consumption in a cohort of homeless individuals- A comparison of different alcohol biomarkers.

In a cohort including individuals with suspected high alcohol consumption, the concentrations of the indirect alcohol biomarkers carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the direct alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) were investigated. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was analysed as a marker for acute alcohol ingestion. In addition to questions about subjective alcohol consumption behaviour, 147 homeless persons underwent a physical examination with blood sampling. BAC, PEth, CDT and MCV were determined in the blood samples. Special focus was on the comparison of PEth and CDT for indicating excessive alcohol consumption. BAC was measured above 0.1‰ in 39 blood samples (0.1-2.5‰, median 0.75‰). PEth was detected in all of them. Overall, PEth was positive (≥10 ng/ml) in 104 samples (71%) (11-5687 ng/ml, median 650 ng/ml) with 68 (46%) being above the cut-off for excessive alcohol consumption (210 ng/ml). In 26 subjects PEth was the only positive alcohol biomarker. CDT was ≥ 1.7% in 66 cases (47%) (1.8-22.2%, median 4.4%) and ≥ 2.5% in 52 (35%) cases. MCV was elevated (≥95 fl) in 58 subjects (39%). CDT and PEth concentrations showed a significant positive correlation (spearman's correlation coefficient ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001). PEth concentrations were significantly higher in samples that were also CDT positive than solely PEth positive (p = 0.004). PEth did not indicate excessive alcohol consumption (< 210 ng/ml) in eight and two cases in which CDT was ≥ 1.7% and ≥ 2.5%, respectively. On the other hand, CDT was< 1.7% and< 2.5% in ten and 18 cases, respectively, in which PEth was above cut-off for excessive alcohol consumption. Taking the self-reports of the participants into consideration, PEth's sensitivity for detecting excessive alcohol consumption was 100% (10 ng/ml) and 94% (210 ng/ml) and CDT's was 88% (1.7%) and 75% (2.5%). In individuals of the investigated cohort unusually high concentrations of the alcohol consumption markers PEth and CDT were quantified, which proves the assumption of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in parts of the cohort. PEth was the marker that was positive most often and was more sensitive for excessive alcohol consumption than CDT.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Fear of COVID-19 Among Homeless Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from the Hamburg Survey of Homeless Individuals.

PURPOSE: To clarify the prevalence and determinants of fear of COVID-19 among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were taken from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals (n=150) covering homeless adults in Hamburg, Germany. Multiple linear regressions were used. Beyond sociodemographic and lifestyle-related independent variables, COVID-19-related factors were also used as independent variables. RESULTS: In sum, 56.2% of homeless individuals reported no fear of COVID-19, 23.8% reported a little fear of COVID-19, 9.2% reported some fear of COVID-19 and 10.8% reported severe fear of COVID-19. Regressions showed that an increased fear of COVID-19 was significantly associated with younger age (ß=-.01, p<0.05), absence of chronic alcohol consume (ß=-.55, p<0.01), an increased perceived own risk of getting infected with the coronavirus one day (ß=0.42, p<0.001) and a higher agreement that a diagnosis of the coronavirus would ruin his/her life (ß=0.13, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Given the poor hygienic conditions and their increased vulnerability, data surprisingly suggest a quite low fear of COVID-19 among homeless individuals. Efforts may be beneficial which contribute to thinking rationally about COVID-19 among homeless people, since low levels of fear of COVID-19 may contribute to careless behavior and can lead to super-spreading events.

Determinants of health care use among homeless individuals: evidence from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals.

BACKGROUND: To identify the determinants of health care use among homeless individuals. METHODS: Data were taken from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals (n = 100 individuals in the here used model, mean age 44.8 years, SD 12.5) focusing on homeless individuals in Hamburg, Germany. The number of physician visits in the past 3 months and hospitalization in the preceding 12 months were used as outcome measures. Drawing on the Andersen model of health care use as a conceptual framework, predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and need factors as well as psychosocial variables were included as correlates. RESULTS: Negative binomial regressions showed that increased physician visits were associated with being female (IRR: 4.02 [95% CI: 1.60-10.11]), absence of chronic alcohol consume (IRR: 0.26 [95% CI: 0.12-0.57]) and lower health-related quality of life (IRR: 0.97 [95% CI: 0.96-0.98]). Furthermore, logistic regressions showed that the likelihood of hospitalization was positively associated with lower age (OR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.98]), having health insurance (OR: 8.11 [2.11-30.80]) and lower health-related quality of life (OR: 0.97 [95% CI: 0.94-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that predisposing characteristics (both age and sex), enabling resources (i.e., health insurance) and need factors in terms of health-related quality of life are main drivers of health care use among homeless individuals. This knowledge may assist in managing health care use.