Hospital admission and vaccination as predictive factors of long COVID-19 symptoms.

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a great variability of symptoms that affect all organs and systems of the body has been identified in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection; this symptomatology can sometimes persist over time, giving rise to the so-called long COVID or post-COVID. The aim of this study is to delve into the clinical characterization of these patients, as well as to take into account the influence of factors such as hospitalization, admission to ICU, history of pneumonia, or vaccination status on the persistence of symptoms. Material and methods: An observational, descriptive, multicenter, and retrospective study was designed with a series of cases of people who presented long COVID, which includes univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Data were obtained from an online ad hoc questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Software Version 25 (IBM-Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Hospitalization, ICU admission, history of pneumonia, and vaccination were predictive factors (positive or negative) for the following long-COVID symptoms: headache, menstrual disorders, joint pain, cough, chills, nasal congestion, back pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, eye discomfort, facial erythema, itching, tremors, dizziness, seizures, sleeping difficulty, dry eyes, palpitations, fatigue, paresthesia, dyspnea, aphonia, chest pain, high blood pressure, vomiting, memory loss, brain fog, hypothermia, low blood pressure, sputum or phlegm, lack of concentration, hair loss, and erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: This study provides evidence on the clinical characterization of patients suffering from long COVID in order to offer them the most appropriate treatments.

Psychometric Properties of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) Scale in Post-Stroke Patients-Spanish Population.

The validation of measuring instruments in the field of health is a requirement before they can be used safely and reliably. The action research arm test (ARAT) tool is an instrument validated in numerous countries and languages and for different populations, and its use is widespread. The objective of this research was to determine the psychometric properties of ARAT for a sample composed of post-stroke patients. To achieve this, a psychometric analysis was performed, where internal consistency tests were carried out using Cronbach's alpha, correlations between items and item-total and half-level tests to verify their reliability. Regarding validity, criteria validity tests were performed, taking the motor function dimension of the Fugl-Meyer scale as gold standard, and convergent validity tests were performed by correlation with the FIM-FAM, ECVI-38 and Lawton and Brody scales. The results showed very good internal consistency as well as good criterion and convergent validity. In conclusion, the ARAT can be considered a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of upper limb function in post-stroke patients.

Determinants of Higher Mortality at Six Months in Patients with Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Hip fracture is a pathology with high mortality, but the lack of a universal adaptation of the factors associated with death makes it difficult to predict risk and implement prevention in this group. This study aimed to identify the factors that determine a higher mortality at six months following hip fracture. (2) Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study, whose study population consisted of patients over 65 years of age. The main variable was mortality at 6 months of fracture. Relevant data related to sociodemographic and clinical variables for subsequent bivariate (χ2) and multivariate analysis were obtained. (3) Results: In all, 665 people participated in the study, 128 of whom died within 6 months of the fracture. The multivariate adjusted analysis demonstrated significant relationships between the main variable and aspects such as institutionalization at discharge (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.501), a worse overall functional capacity (OR = 2.453) and cognitive capacity (OR = 3.040) at admission, and complications such as heart failure (OR = 5.767) or respiratory infection (OR = 5.308), in addition to the taking of certain drugs and the presence of a greater number of comorbidities. (4) Conclusions: There are certain factors related to higher mortality at six months in patients with hip fracture who are aged 65 years or older.

Predictors of Moderate or Severe Cognitive Impairment at Six Months of the Hip Fracture in the Surgical Patient over 65 Years of Age.

BACKGROUND: cognitive impairment is known to be very common in patients with hip fractures, but studies are needed to help understand the relationship between both events. Our goal was to determine the relationship between moderate or severe cognitive impairment and hip fractures during the six months following that episode. METHODS: a retrospective longitudinal study was conducted on a sample of 665 people over 65 years of age. The main variable of the study was cognitive impairment at six months of fracture, assessed using the Pfeiffer scale (PS). Other data related to clinical features were also collected for further analysis. RESULTS: binary logistic regression analyses showed that the main factors related to moderate or severe cognitive impairment at the sixth month of the fracture were age (OR = 1.078), initial cognitive impairment (OR = 535.762), and discharge (OR = 547.91), cognitive worsening at the sixth month with respect to the time of admission (OR = 7.024), moderate dependence on admission (OR = 15.474) and at six months (OR = 8.088), poor ambulation at discharge (OR = 5.071) and institutionalization prior to admission (OR = 5.349) or during the first semester after fracture (OR = 6.317). CONCLUSIONS: this research provides evidence about the clinical factors that predict moderate or severe cognitive decline at the sixth month in patients undergoing surgery for a hip fracture.

Psychological Effects of Home Confinement and Social Distancing Derived from COVID-19 in the General Population-A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Home confinement and social distancing are two of the main public health measures to curb the spread of SARS-Cov-2, which can have harmful consequences on people's mental health. This systematic review aims to identify the best available scientific evidence on the impact that home confinement and social distancing, derived from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have had on the mental health of the general population in terms of depression, stress and anxiety. (2) Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect between 2 January 2021 and 7 January 2021, in accordance with the recommendations of the PRISMA Declaration. The selection of studies and the evaluation of their methodological quality were performed in pairs, independently and blindly, based on predetermined eligibility criteria. (3) Results: The 26 investigations reviewed were developed in different regions and countries. Factors that are associated with poor mental health were female gender, young ages, having no income and suffering from a previous psychiatric illness. Inadequate management of the pandemic by authorities and a lack or excess of information also contributed to worse mental health. (4) Conclusions: There are groups of people more likely to suffer higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress during the restrictive measures derived from COVID-19.