Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of a European Portuguese version of the fear of COVID-19 scale / Propiedades psicométricas e invariancia de medida de una versión en portugués europeo de la escala de miedo de la COVID-19

El miedo generalizado de la COVID-19 parece haber exacerbado el impacto negativo de la pandemia. Por eso, es relevante monitorear el miedo de la COVID-19 y su asociación con la salud mental, el bienestar y los comportamientos de las personas, siendo necesarias medidas válidas y fiables de miedo de la COVID-19. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de una versión en portugués europeo de la escala Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S-P). Un objetivo secundario fue evaluar la invariancia de medición transversal multigrupo de FCV-19S-P (mujeres vs. hombres). Una muestra de 572 adultos portugueses (72 % mujeres) completaron el FCV-19S-P y medidas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Los resultados del estudio respaldaron la validez de esta versión y fiabilidad (alfa de Cronbach = .84; confiabilidad compuesta = .83) y una estructura factorial similar a de la versión original. El miedo de la COVID-19 se asoció positivamente (.23 < r < .31) con depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Los resultados del análisis transversal de invariancia multigrupo respaldaron la invariancia escalar total de la FCV-19S-P y su invariancia residual parcial, lo que sugiere que esta medida puede usarse para llegar a conclusiones válidas con respecto a las comparaciones de género en muestras de adultos portugueses.(AU)

The novelty and uncertainty of the pandemic nourished a gener-alized fear of the COVID-19, which seems to have exacerbated the pan-demic’s negative impact. It is thus relevant to monitor fear of COVID-19 and its association with individuals’ mental health, well-being, and behav-iors. Valid and reliable measures of fear of COVID-19 are necessary for that purpose. This study aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of a European Portuguese version of the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S-P). A secondary aim was to assess FCV-19S-P’s multigroup measurement invariance (female vs.male). A sample of 572 Portuguese adults (72 % fe-male) completed the FCV-19S-P and measures of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study results supported this version validityand reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .84; Composite Reliability = .83), and a factorial struc-ture similar to the original version. Fear of COVID-19 was positively asso-ciated (.23 < r < .31) with depression, anxiety, and stress. Results of the multigroup invariance analysis supported the FCV-19S-P total scalar invar-iance and its partial residual invariance, suggesting that this measure may be used to reach valid conclusions in respect to gender comparisons in samples of Portuguese adults in regard to group observed composite means.(AU)

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications and Perioperative Strategies: A Systematic Review.

The occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) is frequently observed and has been linked to elevated levels of morbidity and mortality, which have adverse effects on both clinical and financial outcomes in healthcare settings. This systematic review aims to present the evidence that supports our comprehension of PPCs and emphasize the circumstances that necessitate the use of postoperative noninvasive ventilation (PNIV) or re-intubation with postoperative mechanical ventilation (POMV). A search was conducted on the National Library of Medicine's Pubmed database and Cochrane Library until November 29, 2020, to find published reports of randomized control trials (RCTs) that assessed postoperative pulmonary complications. Data related to the prevalence of PPCs and the use of PNIV, POMV, and length of hospital stay were extracted from all the studies. For the analysis, a total of 13 studies involving 6,609 patients were included, and out of these, four RCTs reported statistically significant results. The use of protective lung ventilation (PLV) with low tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during intraoperative ventilation, along with pressure-controlled (PCV) ventilation, as well as the postoperative ventilation strategy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) combined with standard oxygen therapy were the only techniques that demonstrated a clear reduction in the incidence of PPCs. Furthermore, the use of PLV with low tidal volume and PEEP and intraoperative mechanical ventilation with a vital capacity maneuver followed by 10 cm H2O of PEEP were found to decrease the requirement for postoperative noninvasive ventilation. CPAP with standard oxygen therapy was the only intervention that reduced the need for reintubation. Various ventilation strategies are available for both intraoperative and postoperative periods with the goal of decreasing the need for postoperative noninvasive ventilation (PNIV) or re-intubation with postoperative mechanical ventilation (POMV).