High Cardiovascular Risk in Older Men With Severe Peripheral Artery Calcification on High-Resolution Peripheral QCT Scans: The STRAMBO Study.

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A quick access to information on influenza burden and prevention in Lyon university hospital: A prospective QR code-based information campaign in 2022-2023.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccines are effective in decreasing hospitalizations and mortality related to influenza and its complications. However, the Vaccine Coverage Rate of influenza remains low and multifaceted efforts are required to improve it. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on influenza vaccine perception using a digital tool among outpatients and health care workers (HCWs). METHODS: A study was performed among outpatients and the HCWs of 23 hospital departments from 4 hospitals affiliated to Lyon university Hospitals (France), between October 2022 and February 2023. By scanning QR (Quick Response) codes, displayed on posters for patients, their companions, as well as in the letters sent to HCWs, users accessed anonymously to a web-application (ELEFIGHT®), which provided information on influenza and invited them to initiate a discussion on influenza prevention with their physicians during the consultation. Patients were also invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their perception of influenza vaccination before and after reading the information on ELEFIGHT®. The retention rate (RR = proportion of people who remain on the page for >2 s), the conversion rate (CR = proportion of people who click on the "Call-To-Action" button) and the absolute variation (difference in the perception before/after) and relative variation (absolute change as a percentage of the initial perception) in perception regarding influenza vaccination before and after consulting the application were calculated. RESULTS: 3791 scans were performed by 3298 patients and/or their companions with a RR of 52% and a CR of 55.1% and 253 scans by 221 HCWs with a RR of 71.2% and a CR of 115.3%. Participants spent an average of 47 s on the application. The questionnaire on influenza vaccination perception was completed by 1533 participants (46.5%); 1390 (90.7%) maintained the same position (neutral, favorable or unfavorable) on this vaccination before and after consulting the application. The relative variations in favor of vaccination were + 7.2% (unfavorable then favorable) and + 19.8% (neutral then favorable). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a facilitated direct access to medical information through QR codes disseminated in health settings can help nudge people to foster their awareness of influenza and its prevention. Future deployments in a similar context or to other populations could be envisaged. Other vaccine-preventable and/or chronic diseases could also be the target of similar projects as part of public health programs.

Factors Associated with Long COVID-19 in a French Multicentric Prospective Cohort Study.

(1) Background: A substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients continue to experience long-lasting effects that hamper their quality of life. The objectives of this study were (1) to report the prevalence of persistent clinical symptoms 6-12 months after the onset of COVID-19 and (2) to identify potential factors at admission associated with the occurrence of long COVID. (2) Methods: A prospective study was conducted among COVID-19 adult patients, hospitalized in four French university hospitals. Patients were invited to two ambulatory follow-up medical visits, 6-8 months (visit #1) and one year (visit #2) after the onset of their COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with long COVID. (3) Results: In total, 189 patients participated in this study (mean age of 63.4 years). BMI > 30 kg/m2 (aOR 3.52), AST levels between 31 and 42 U/L (aOR 8.68), and AST levels > 42 U/L (aOR 3.69) were associated with persistent clinical symptoms at visit #1. Anosmia (aOR 13.34), AST levels between 31 and 42 U/L (aOR 10.27), stay in ICU (aOR 5.43), pain (aOR 4.31), and longer time before hospitalization (aOR 1.14) were significantly associated with persistent clinical symptoms at visit #2. Patients with ageusia (aOR 0.17) had a lower risk of long COVID. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that some patients experienced persistent clinical symptoms one year after COVID-19 onset that were associated with some determinants at the acute phase/stage.

Using ELEFIGHT® QR Codes for Quick Access to Information on Influenza Burden and Prevention: A Pilot Study in Lyon University Hospital.

(1) Background: The Vaccine Coverage Rate of influenza remains low and omnichannel efforts are required to improve it. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of a QR Code nudging system in outpatient departments. (2) Methods: The study was performed in 6 departments ensuring ambulatory activities in a French university Hospital between November and December 2021. By scanning QR codes, users accessed anonymously to the ELEFIGHT® web app, which provides medical information on influenza and invites them to initiate a discussion about influenza prevention with their physicians during the consultation. (3) Results: 351 people made 529 scans with an average reading time of 1 min and 4 s and a conversion rate of 32%, i.e., people willing to engage in a discussion. (4) Conclusions: The study suggests that direct access to medical information through QR codes in hospitals might help nudge people to raise their awareness and trigger their action on influenza prevention.