[SARS-CoV-2 morbidity depending on vitamin D status].

BACKGROUND: The association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COVID-19 is currently being actively discussed around the world. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency and compare it with the incidence rates of SARS-CoV-2 in eight Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 304,564 patients (234,716 women; 77,1%) with serum 25(OH)D levels results performed September 2019 through October 2020. RESULTS: Only 112,877 people (37.1%) had a normal serum 25(OH)D level, others had a deficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was presented with the same frequency in women and men, and no differences were found depending on the geographical location and age in subjects from 18 to 74 years old. However, subjects over 75 years more often had vitamin D deficiency, while subjects under 18 years had normal levels in over 50% cases. In addition, 21,506 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR with further comparison of results with serum 25(OH)D level. The SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was detected in 3,193 subjects, negative in 18,313. There were no differences in the morbidity in a vitamin D deficiency and a normal level. Thus, 14.8% subjects had positive PCR rates among vitamin D deficiency patients (4,978 tests), 14.9% when 25(OD)D level was from 20 to 30 ng/ml (7,542 tests), 15.0% among those who had 25(OH)D 30- 50 ng/ml (6,622 tests), and 13.9% when vitamin D was more than 50 ng/ml (4,612 tests). CONCLUSION: There was no association between the COVID-19 incidence and vitamin D status in different regions of Russia. Although the nutrient deficiency persists in all regions and is most often diagnosed in people over 75 years old.

Anti-Crisis Programs to Stimulate the Economy in the Context of Destructive Globalization Processes

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate programs and measures of anti-crisis regulation. The viral factors of the crisis (COVID-19) will strengthen its economic consequences. The results and influencing factors of the current crisis will prove more difficult for the global economy and most of the national economies of the world. The consequences of the current crisis will be more devastating than after the global financial and economic crisis of 2008–2009, therefore, the process of eliminating these consequences will take some time. Design/methodology/approach: The article proposes methods and tools for developing the concept of anti-crisis socio-economic policy, which, firstly, would provide support to national companies, industries and citizens, and, secondly, would contribute to formation of a new business model aimed at the recovery growth of the economy. Findings: The paper identifies the main factors of the savings model of economic behavior of companies and households in conditions of uncertainty. A comparative characterization of new anti-crisis measures applied by governments of different countries with previous forms of harmonized global regulation of the economy was carried out. Originality/value: It was concluded that the main influence on the growth of imbalances is the restriction of demand and the reduction of production of products that are used for subsequent stages of production. To reduce global risks, it is important not only to provide classic financial support to national businesses, but also to create and organize effective cooperation between the fiscal and monetary authorities of developed countries. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Hypokalemia and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity in COVID-19 patients

Background. Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte complication among hospitalized patients with pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is suggested as a possible cause of hypokalemia in patients with COVID-19. Objective. To investigate the RAAS activity in COVID-19 patients with and without hypokalemia and its possible association with treatment outcomes. Design and methods. The cross-sectional cohort study included 172 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Potassium, aldosterone and venous renin were measured in 77 patients. The differences in the levels of acute phase proteins, the degree of lung damage and the severity of COVID-19 were compared between patients with and without hypokalemia. Results. Hypokalemia was found in 19 of 77 patients (25%): the median potassium level in hypokalemia and eukalemia group was 3,1 [2,8-3,3] and 4,1 [3,9-4,5] mmol/L, respectively (p = 0,001). Plasma aldosterone and renin levels in patients with and without hypokalemia did not differ significantly: aldosterone 76,0 [57,7-121,5] and 70,9 [26,3-113,8] pg/ml (p = 0,23), renin 17,0 [8,5-47,2] and 11,0 [6,5-38,1] pg/ml (p = 0,35), respectively. Differences in the degree of lung tissue damage, acute phase proteins, severity of COVID-19, length of hospitalization and mortality in patients with and without identified electrolyte disturbances were also not significant. Conclusions. Our results showed that there were no laboratory signs of RAAS hyperactivation in COVID-19 patients with registered hypokalemia. Identification of the cause and clinical significance of hypokalemia among patients with COVID-19 needs to be specified. © 2021 All-Russian Public Organization Antihypertensive League. All rights reserved.

Sleep Quality and Physical Activity as Predictors of Mental Wellbeing Variance in Older Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown: ECLB COVID-19 International Online Survey

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 lockdown could engender disruption to lifestyle behaviors, thus impairing mental wellbeing in the general population. This study investigated whether sociodemographic variables, changes in physical activity, and sleep quality from pre- to during lockdown were predictors of change in mental wellbeing in quarantined older adults. METHODS: A 12-week international online survey was launched in 14 languages on 6 April 2020. Forty-one research institutions from Europe, Western-Asia, North-Africa, and the Americas, promoted the survey. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "pre" and "during" the lockdown period. Participants responded to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: Replies from older adults (aged >55 years, n = 517), mainly from Europe (50.1%), Western-Asia (6.8%), America (30%), and North-Africa (9.3%) were analyzed. The COVID-19 lockdown led to significantly decreased mental wellbeing, sleep quality, and total physical activity energy expenditure levels (all p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the change in total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure (F_{(2, 514)} = 66.41 p < 0.001) were significant predictors of the decrease in mental wellbeing from pre- to during lockdown (p < 0.001, R²: 0.20). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 lockdown deleteriously affected physical activity and sleep patterns. Furthermore, change in the total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure were significant predictors for the decrease in mental wellbeing.

serum 25(oH)D level in patients with CoVID-19

Recently, vitamin D deficiency is considered as a risk factor for the incidence and severity of new coronavirus infection. The aim of this work was to evaluate the vitamin D level of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and compare the value of 25(OH)D in blood serum with the clinical manifestations of the disease. Results. Included are 80 patients aged 18 to 94 years (mean age 53,2 ± 15,7 years), 43 (53,8%) men;with severe course – in 25 (31,3%) patients (12 males), and moderate – in 55 people (68,7%) (31 males). Half of the severely ill patients were obese, and among the deceased patients, the number of obese people was 61,5%, which was significantly higher than the discharged ones – 14,9% (p<0,001). Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases occurred with the same frequency, regardless of the severity of the disease. Analysis of the outcomes of coronavirus infection in these patients showed mortality in 52,0% of cases in severe patients. Serum 25(OH)D level ranged from 3,0 to 88,8 ng / ml (16,7 ± 12,7 ng / ml). It was found that in patients with severe course, the level of 25(OH)D blood was significantly lower (11.9 ± 6.4 ng / ml) and vitamin D deficiency was more common than in patients with moderate to severe course of the disease (18,5 ± 14,0 ng / ml, p = 0,027). The same pattern was revealed in patients with a fatal outcome, where the level of 25(OH)D was 10,8 ± 6,1 ng / ml, compared with this indicator in patients discharged from the hospital (17,8 ± 13,4 ng / ml) (p = 0,02). Conclusions. Vitamin D deficiency and obesity have been found to increase the risk of severe course and death of coronavirus infection.