Sales of tobacco and nicotine replacement therapy products, especially nicotine pouches, increased in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: Some previous studies suggest that the consumption of tobacco and nicotine products overall declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the results are mixed. We investigated tobacco and nicotine product sales in Finland, including the sales of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Our particular focus was on nicotine pouches used as NRT. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sales of tobacco and NRT products in 2020 by comparing the sales to the previous year. Methods: The data were derived from a large sales group (S group) in Finland, representing 46% of the market share in grocery trade in 2020. The gross weekly sales of tobacco (cigarettes, loose tobacco) and NRT (patches, inhalers, tablets, gum and "other", consisting mainly of nicotine pouches) were retrieved from February to December 2020 from 1062 points of sale throughout the country and compared to the same period in 2019. Results: During this period, there was a significant increase in cigarette sales. Moreover, the sales of NRT were significantly higher throughout 2020 compared with 2019. Specifically, the sales of nicotine pouches sold as NRT increased, especially after the travel restrictions in Finland were initiated and the national boundaries closed in the spring of 2020. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland, the sales of cigarettes and NRT products increased, especially those of nicotine pouches sold as NRT. Our findings call for further research to reveal the factors leading to this increase and to determine whether the situation is long-standing.

Persisting symptoms common but inability to work rare: a one-year follow-up study of Finnish hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Difficulties in recovery persisting for months have been reported in patients with severe COVID-19. Our aim was to investigate respiratory and overall recovery one year after hospital discharge. METHODS: Finnish patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic were recruited to a survey of symptoms, quality of life (RAND-36), work status, and health care use one year after hospital discharge. Patients with lung function test and chest x-ray results available from 3-6 months after hospital discharge underwent spirometry and a chest x-ray at one year. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients responded to the one-year survey, 32 underwent spirometry and 32 a chest x-ray. Of those working full-time before COVID-19, median duration of sick leave was 40 days and 10% had not returned to work at one year. Health-care service use related to COVID-19 after discharge was reported by 79%, 50% using primary care, 34% occupational health care and 32% specialist care, respectively. Tiredness, fatigue, and physical difficulties increased in follow-up (p = 0.022-0.033). Quality of life did not change. Chest x-ray abnormalities decreased in follow-up, with an abnormal chest x-ray in 58% at 3-6 months and 25% at one year. A restrictive spirometry pattern was more common at one year (16 vs. 34%, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged symptoms are common, some patients have decreased lung function, and a small minority of patients still have not returned to work one year after severe COVID-19. This calls for further research into the underlying causes and risk factors for prolonged recovery.

Lung function and exercise capacity 6 months after hospital discharge for critical COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The significant morbidity caused by COVID-19 necessitates further understanding of long-term recovery. Our aim was to evaluate long-term lung function, exercise capacity, and radiological findings in patients after critical COVID-19. METHODS: Patients who received treatment in ICU for COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 underwent pulmonary function tests, a 6MWD and CXR 6 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: A restrictive ventilatory defect was found in 35% (23/65) and an impaired diffusing capacity in 52% (32/62) at 6 months. The 6-minute walk distance was reduced in 33% (18/55), and 7% (4/55) of the patients had reduced exercise capacity. Chest X-ray was abnormal in 78% (52/67) at 6 months after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients had persisting lung function impairment and radiological abnormalities at 6 months after critical COVID-19. Reduced exercise capacity was rare.

Women report more symptoms and impaired quality of life: a survey of Finnish COVID-19 survivors.

BACKGROUND: The long-term sequelae after COVID-19 are not yet fully known. Our aim was to evaluate subjective symptoms and quality of life in Finnish hospitalized COVID-19 patients at six months follow-up. METHODS: Hospitalised adult patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to June 2020 were recruited. We conducted a survey on demographics and comorbidities, ten specific symptoms, and a RAND-36 quality of life questionnaire six months after hospital discharge. We collected clinical data manually from medical records. RESULTS: 101 patients (54 male) out of 246 invited completed the survey. Their median age was 60 years, and the mean hospital length of stay was 15 d. Most patients (90%) experienced symptoms, the most common of which were tiredness (88%), fatigue (79%), sleeping problems (76%), and dyspnoea (70%). In regard to gender, women showed a shorter time of hospitalization (p = .048) and lower peak flow of supplementary oxygen (p = .043). Women reported more frequently dyspnoea, fatigue, tiredness, sleeping problems, and mood problems (p = .008-.033), and a lower quality of life in seven of eight dimensions (p < .001-.015). Five explanatory variables for the reduced quality of life were identified in multivariate analysis: age, female sex, BMI, sleep apnoea, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Of the patients who worked full-time before COVID-19, 11% had not returned to work. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients experienced symptoms six months after hospital discharge. Women reported more symptoms and a lower quality of life than men. These findings highlight the differences in recovery between men and women and call for active rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients.

Small airway function in Finnish COVID-19 survivors.

Follow-up studies of COVID-19 patients have found lung function impairment up to six months after initial infection, but small airway function has not previously been studied. Patients (n = 20) hospitalised for a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent spirometry, impulse oscillometry, and multiple measurements of alveolar nitric oxide three to six months after acute infection. None of the patients had small airway obstruction, nor increased nitric oxide concentration in the alveolar level. None of the patients had a reduced FEV1/FVC or significant bronchodilator responses in IOS or spirometry. In conclusion, we found no evidence of inflammation or dysfunction in the small airways.

Mood, sleepiness, and weight gain after three years on CPAP therapy for sleep apnoea.

Background: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) keeps on rising. Daytime sleepiness resulting from fragmented sleep is the prime symptom, and obesity the major risk factor for OSAS. Quality of life with OSAS is often affected by depressive symptoms and anxiety. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy reduces daytime sleepiness, but the results on the effect on mood, physical activity, and weight are controversial especially on long-term therapy. Purpose of this study was to evaluate these factors and predictors of weight gain during long-term CPAP therapy. Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 223), referred to sleep study with suspected OSAS, were enrolled. Patients underwent a cardiorespiratory polygraphy at baseline and a battery of questionnaires was completed, both at baseline, and after three years of follow-up. Total of 149 (67%; M 65, F 84) patients completed the follow-up. Of the 149 patients, 76 (51.0%; M 32, F 44) used CPAP. Results: In this study, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleepiness were alleviated during CPAP therapy. However, therapy did not have an influence on cravings of different food categories, or exercise habits and exercise duration. From the various factors studied, solely higher adherence to CPAP therapy was associated with weight gain. Conclusions: This research provides further evidence that long-term CPAP therapy in patients with OSAS not only decreases sleepiness and improves sleep quality but could also alleviate depressive symptoms and anxiety. In addition, our study reinforces that CPAP therapy alone is not sufficient for weight management in patients with OSAS. Regardless of comprehensive battery of questionnaires, we were unable to establish markers predicting weight gain during therapy. We advise on life-style counselling and weight management program to all patients with obesity on CPAP therapy.

Medication of comorbidities in females with sleep-disordered breathing during long-term CPAP therapy.

BACKGROUND: Treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce mortality, but the studies on the effect on medication use are few. Women tend to have more mild sleep apnoea and partial airway obstruction and are therefore expected to have less co-morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CPAP therapy on medication use in women as overall medication, and in different subcategories of diseases, and to evaluate the impact of nocturnal airway obstruction type as partial or complete. METHODS: From the database of the Department of Pulmonary Diseases in Turku University Hospital from 1994 to 1998, 601 consecutive females with SDB were enrolled, and the type of SDB was evaluated. All were offered CPAP therapy. The medication use measured as defined daily doses (DDD) in overall medication and in nine subcategories were collected three years before and three years after CPAP initiation. RESULTS: In final analyses, 182 women were included. In CPAP users (n = 66), comorbidities were more frequent and DDDs higher overall, in asthma, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in severe mental disorders, both before and after CPAP initiation. The medication use was similar regardless of the type of SDB. The change in medication use was similar as in controls. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy did not decrease medication use in three-year follow-up. However, possibly continuous rise in medication use was prevented, as the change in medication use was similar in controls. Complete and partial obstruction had similar effects.

Gender-specific change in leptin concentrations during long-term CPAP therapy.

PURPOSE: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) alleviates sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), but part of OSAS patients keep gaining weight. Leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) interact with energy balance, and CPAP therapy has been suggested to influence these endocrine factors. We hypothesised that leptin would decrease during long-term CPAP therapy, and weight gain would associate with OSAS severity, lower CPAP adherence, lower IGF-1, and leptin concentrations. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 223) referred to sleep study with suspected OSAS were enrolled. Patients underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy at baseline. Questionnaires were completed, and blood samples were drawn both at baseline and after 3 years. A total of 149 (67%; M 65, F 84) patients completed the follow-up. Plasma samples were available from 114 patients, 109 of which with CPAP adherence data (49 CPAP users, 60 non-users). RESULTS: At baseline, the CPAP users were more obese and had more severe OSAS than the non-users. Leptin concentrations did not differ. After follow-up, leptin concentrations were higher in CPAP users (30.2 ng/ml vs. 16.8 ng/ml; p = 0.001). In regression analysis, increase in leptin concentrations was independent of age, baseline body mass index (BMI), or the change in BMI. Leptin concentrations increased among females (- 8.9 vs. 12.7 ng/ml; p < 0.001); whereas in men, CPAP did not have an effect, if not opposed the natural decrease in leptin observed in men not using CPAP. Change in IGF-1 levels did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest increase in leptin concentrations during long-term CPAP therapy among females.