COVID-19-mediated patient delay caused increased total ischaemic time in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to evaluate changes in treatment delay and outcome for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the Netherlands during the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, thereby comparing regions with a high and low COVID-19 hospitalisation rate. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, STEMI timing variables, 30-day all-cause mortality and cardiovascular complications of all consecutive patients admitted for STEMI from 1 January to 30 June in 2020 and 2019 to six hospitals performing a high volume of percutaneous coronary interventions were collected retrospectively using data from the Netherlands Heart Registry, hospital records and ambulance report forms. Patient delay, pre-hospital delay and door-to-balloon time before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 were compared to the equivalent periods in 2019. RESULTS: A total of 2169 patients were included. During the outbreak median total treatment delay significantly increased (2 h 51 min vs 2 h 32 min; p = 0.043) due to an increased patient delay (1 h 20 min vs 1 h; p = 0.030) with more late presentations > 24 h (1.1% vs 0.3%) in 2020. This increase was particularly evident during the peak phase of COVID-19 in regions with a high COVID-19 hospitalisation rate. During the peak phase door-to-balloon time was shorter (38 min vs 43 min; p = 0.042) than in 2019. All-cause 30-day mortality was comparable in both time frames (7.8% vs 7.3%; p = 0.797). CONCLUSIONS: During the outbreak of COVID-19 patient delay caused an increase in total ischaemic time for STEMI, with a more pronounced delay in high-endemic regions, stressing the importance of good patient education during comparable crisis situations.

An exploration of attitudes towards breast cancer screening in orthodox Jewish women in Antwerp--Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: To explore determinants of participation in breast cancer screening in orthodox Jewish women living in Antwerp, Belgium, and to uncover their opinions and attitudes towards screening, and thereby to detect ways to optimize participation. STUDY DESIGN: Focus group discussions were performed during the last months of 2011 and the first half of 2012 to explore motivation to participate or not in breast cancer screening. Groups consisted of five to seven women. Inclusion criteria were: being female, considering oneself as orthodox Jewish, aged between 50 and 69 years. RESULTS: Three focus group discussions with in a total of 20 women had taken place. All participants in the focus group discussions had a screening mammography taken on a regular base. All participants agreed that the social cohesion between Jewish orthodox women and the importance that is given to healthcare within the Jewish tradition are important contributors to their participation in a breast cancer screening program. Pain, lack of information during the exam, lack of confidence in the quality of the exam, perceived problems when the examining doctor/technician is male, and fear of the results are mentioned as barriers. The participants, however, state that these were not important enough to result in non-participation. Barriers could be diminished by information sessions specifically aimed at orthodox Jewish women. CONCLUSION: This qualitative research demonstrates a generally positive attitude of orthodox Jewish women living in Antwerp, Belgium, towards mammographic breast cancer screening. Increased and repeated structured information sessions are likely to improve breast cancer awareness in this population.