SAFETY of SARS-COV-2 VACCINES in PATIENTS with RHEUMATIC DISEASES: DATA from the NATIONAL REGISTRY SAR-COVAC from ARGENTINA

Background: Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials, though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. In our country, adenovirus-vector, inactivated and heterologous scheme vaccines are frequently used. Objectives: To describe the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with RD from the national registry SAR-CoVAC and to assess sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to AE and disease fares after vaccination. Methods: Adult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 from de Argentine Society of Rheumatology Vaccine Registry (SAR-CoVAC) were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021, This is a national multicentric observational registry that includes patients that have received at least one dose of any SARS-CoV-2 available vaccines in Argentina. Data is voluntarily collected by the treating physician. Naranjo scale was use to assess the association between the AE and vaccination. Homologous and heterologous schedules were defned according to whether both vaccines received were the same or different, respectively. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test, ANOVA and multivariate regression logistic model were used. Results: A total of 1679 patients, with 2795 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses were included. Vaccines more frequently used were: Gam-COVID-Vac (1227 doses, 44%), ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (872 doses, 31%), BBIBP-CorV (482 doses, 17%) and mRAN-1273 (172 doses, 6%). Altogether, 510 EA were experienced by 449 (27%) patients. Pseudo-fu syndrome was the most frequent (11%), followed by injection site reaction (7%). They were signifcantly more frequent after the frst dose in comparison to the second one (13% vs 7% and 9% vs 5%, respectively, p<0.001 in both cases). All were mild or moderate and no patient was hospitalized due to an AE. One case of moderate anaphylaxis was reported by a patient who received Gam-COVID-Vac. No cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia were observed. There were 25 disease fares reported, 17 (68%) cases of arthritis. Among patients with two doses, those with heterol-ogous schedule presented AE more frequent after the second dose (39% vs 17%).Total incidence of EA was 182.5 events/10 00 doses, it was signifcantly lower for BBIBP-CorV (105.9 events/1000 dosis, p<0.002 for all cases). The higher incidence of AE was observed for mRAN-1273 (261.6 events/1000 doses) and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (232.8 events/1000 doses). Patients with AE were younger [mean 55 years (SD 14) vs 59 years (SD 14), p <0.010], not Caucasian ethnicity [48% vs 35%, p<0.001], had higher education level [mean 13.8 years (SD 4) vs 11.9 years (SD 5), p<0.001], were more frequently employed [54% vs 44%, p<0.001], lived mostly in urban area [99% vs 95% p <0.001, had more frequently dyslipidemia [38% vs 28% p 0.012], and less frequently arterial hypertension [49% vs 65%, p<0.001]. Systemic lupus erythematosus [11% vs 7%, p=0.039] and Sjögren syndrome [6% vs 1.8%, p<0.001] were more frequent among them, while non infammatory diseases were less prevalent [19% vs 31%, p<0.001]. They were taking steroids [24 vs 18%, p=0.007], antimalarials [17% vs 10%, p<0.001] and methotrexate [41% vs 31%, p <0.001] more frequently. In the multivariable analysis, mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 were associated with AE, while BBIBP-CorV with lower probability of having one. (Figure 1) Conclusion: The incidence of AE was 1825 events/1000 doses, were signif-cantly higher for mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and lower for BBIBP-CorV. Most common AE was pseudo-fu syndrome. Female sex, being younger, higher education level, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and mRAN-1273 vaccines, the use of meth-otrexate and antimalarials were related of EA in patients with RD.

Experience of a Private Hospital in the Treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Veracruz, Mexico

Background. Large mortality rates have been reported in the Mexican public health system, however in the experiences of private hospitals that have resources and infrastructure this is lower compared to the national average. Methods. Descriptive and retrospective study. Adult patients treated for pneumonia due COVID-19 from April to December 2020 are entered into the study. Its general characteristics such as gender and age, comorbidities, influenza vaccination history, clinical characterization, laboratory and tomographic diagnosis of sars cov2 pneumonia are studied, as well as the drug and oxygen therapy treatments received and finally, its evolution and clinical outcome. Results. 132 patients were studied, of which 51% were female. The main age groups affected were 65 and over (43.9%), 50-59 years (20.4%) and 25-44 years (16.6%). The main comorbidities found were: arterial hypertension (43.9%), Diabetes mellitus 2 (33.3%), heart disease (11.3%) and obesity (10.6%). 95.4% of the patients were not vaccinated against influenza. The main symptoms reported were: fever (92%), cough (87%), dyspnea (76%) and headache (52%). The diagnosis was confirmed with RT-PCR in 63%, reporting negative RT-PCR in 36%;the antigen test was positive in 1%. Regarding the findings of the chest computed tomography, CORADS 5 was reported in 30%, CORADS 6 in 3% and CORADS 4 in 20%. The main treatments used in patients with severe inflammatory pneumonia were: steroids (98%), enoxaparin (100%), tocilizumab (20%), baricitinib (60%), direct oral anticoagulants (10%), fibroquel (5%). 60% were treated with a combination of two or more drugs. The main oxygenation contributions were: 20% nasal tips - mask/reservoir, 60% high flow nasal cannula, 20% mechanical ventilation. In 95% the prone position was indicated. Regarding the clinical evolution, 65.1% were towards improvement, 17.4% died, 12.1% requested transfer to another unit and 5.3% requested voluntary discharge. Overall mortality was 17%. Conclusion. A hospital strategy that has the necessary resources and infrastructure as well as openness to the use of medication with emergency approvals for its use or off-label indications, can help limit morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations and manifest risk factors such as Mexican population.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of an Abbreviated Program versus a Standard Program in Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Self-Perceived Empathy in Tutors and Resident Intern Specialists of Family and Community Medicine and Nursing in Spain

Health professionals are among the most vulnerable to work stress and emotional exhaustion problems. These health professionals include tutors and resident intern specialists, due to the growing demand for the former and the high work overload of the latter. Mindfulness training programs can support these professionals during times of crisis, such as the current global pandemic caused by the coronavirus-19 disease. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an abbreviated Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training program in relation to a standard training program on the levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-perceived empathy in tutors and resident intern specialists of Family and Community Medicine and Nursing. A total of 112 professionals attached to six Spanish National Health System teaching units (TUs) participated in this randomized and controlled clinical trial. Experimental Group (GE) participants were included in the standard or abbreviated MBSR programs. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Self-Compassion Scale short form (SCS-SF), and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) were administered three times during the study: before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Adjusted covariance analysis (ANCOVA), using pretest scores as the covariate, showed a significant increase in mindfulness (F_(2,91) = 3.271;p = 0.042;eta² = 0.067) and self-compassion (F_(2,91) = 6.046;p = 0.003;eta² = 0.117) in the post-test visit, and in self-compassion (F_(2,79) = 3.880;p = 0.025;eta² = 0.089) in the follow-up visit, attributable to the implementation of the standard training program. The standard MBSR and MSC training program improves levels of mindfulness and self-compassion, and promotes long-lasting effects in tutors and resident intern specialists. New studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of abbreviated training programs.

Frontline doctors infected with COVID-19 during a hospital outbreak in Veracruz, Mexico

Background: The current Covid-19 pandemic has affected health workers, some estimates mention more than 90,000 affected, even with deaths throughout the world. Methods: Descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study. The cases of front-line doctors infected with Covid-19 during a hospitalary outbreak, in the General Hospital 71 “Lic. Benito Coquet Lagunes” of Veracruz, dependent on the Mexican Institute of Social Security, from April 1 to May 31, 2020. Results: Seven doctors were entered into the study, with an average age of 42.4 years, all of them male. The affectation by service was: Internal medicine 5 of 17 doctors (29.4%), Emergencies 1 of 15 doctors (6.6%) and Intensive care 1 of 6 doctors (16.6%) infected by Covid-19. Laboratory studies were only performed in 5 cases, the presence of leukopenia in 1 case (20%), leukocytosis in 2 cases (40%), lymphopenia in 4 cases (80%) stand out. Impaired fasting glucose was reported in all cases. There was no alteration in kidney function;in liver function, transaminemia was reported in 80%. Regarding the acute phase reactants, the intake of these was very inconsistent since it was not uniform in all cases, but the most representative was elevated ESR in 4 of 4 cases (100%), positive PCR in 3 of 4 cases (75%), procalcitonin negative in 3 of 3 cases (100%), elevated DHL in 2 of 5 cases (40%), elevated D-dimer in 1 of 3 cases (33.3%), elevated ferritinemia in 1 of 2 cases (50 %). The rest of the characteristics in the table and graphs. Conclusion: The present cohort of doctors affected by Covid during a hospital outbreak shows that there are several factors to take into account, on the one hand, factors specific to the population (obesity, diabetes, hypertension), as well as the institutions that are in charge of medical personnel. they must identify the risk factors mentioned, influence them and protect said population that is vulnerable per se to a pandemic;Another constantly identified factor is occupational exposure to the pathogen without sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment. (Table Presented).

Frontline doctors infected with COVID-19 during a hospital outbreak in Veracruz, Mexico

BACKGROUND: The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected health workers, some estimates mention more than 90,000 affected, even with deaths throughout the world. OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of physicians of first care of patients with COVID-19 that were infected, their risk factors and their clinical manifestations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study performed from April 1 to May 31, 2020 analyzing the cases of front-line doctors infected with COVID-19 in the General Hospital 71 Lic. Benito Coquet Lagunes of the city and port of Veracruz, dependent on the Mexican Institute of Social Security. RESULTS: Seven doctors were entered into the study, with an average age of 42.4 years, all of them male. The identified risk factors were overweight/obesity (85.7%), previous viral infections (42.8%), diabetes (28.5%), hypertension, dyslipidemia and drug addiction (14.2% each). The main symptoms/signs were: fever (100%), myalgia/ arthralgia (71.4%), cough (57.1%), chest pain (57.1%), anosmia/dysgeusia (42.8%) and attack on the general state (42.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The present cohort of doctors affected by COVID during a hospital outbreak shows that there are several factors to take into account, on the one hand, factors specific to the population (obesity, diabetes, hypertension), as well as the institutions that are in charge of medical personnel;they must identify the risk factors mentioned, influence them and protect this population that is vulnerable per se to a pandemic. © 2020 Comunicaciones Cientificas Mexicanas S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.

Perceptions of Cubans Living Abroad in the Face of COVID-19

The arrival of COVID 19 impacted our daily lives. The current article identify perceptions of the valence of the pandemic during the period of confinement. The perception of events and people is characterized, with positive and negative significance, during the COVID-19, by 219 Cubans between 18 and 80 years old, living abroad. The questionnaire was placed in Google forms, accessing it through a link sent by invitation of WhatsApp. The main findings show that it was a period of discoveries, not all negative, from which we can learn, to enhance well-being. The link of Cuban emigration with relatives in Cuba is evident, and the presence of Cuba in their daily lives.