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Epidemiologia, Volume 3, Issue 3 (September 2022) – 8 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): We aimed to investigate socioeconomic differences between sexes and the influence on outcome following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) at the elbow. Our data show that among patients having surgery for either CTS or UNE, women are more socioeconomically deprived than men. Women in our population earned less, more often received social assistance, and had more sick days than men. Generally, socioeconomic factors affected outcomes differently in women and men and were to a greater extent related to worse outcomes in patients with CTS. View this paper
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10 pages, 1971 KiB  
Case Report
Molecular Epidemiological Investigations of Localized SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks-Utility of Public Algorithms
by Mahmood Y. Bilal and James S. Klutts
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 402-411; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030031 - 19 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1676
Abstract
The recent rapid expansion of targeted viral sequencing approaches in conjunction with available bioinformatics have provided an effective platform for studying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) virions at the molecular level. These means can be adapted to the field of viral molecular [...] Read more.
The recent rapid expansion of targeted viral sequencing approaches in conjunction with available bioinformatics have provided an effective platform for studying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) virions at the molecular level. These means can be adapted to the field of viral molecular epidemiology, wherein localized outbreak clusters can be evaluated and linked. To this end, we have integrated publicly available algorithms in conjunction with targeted RNASeq data in order to qualitatively evaluate similarity or dissimilarity between suspect outbreak strains from hospitals, or assisted living facilities. These tools include phylogenetic clustering and mutational analysis utilizing Nextclade and Ultrafast Sample placement on Existing tRee (UShER). We herein present these outbreak screening tools utilizing three case examples in the context of molecular epidemiology, along with limitations and potential future developments. We anticipate that these methods can be performed in clinical molecular laboratories equipped with CoV-2-sequencing technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Epidemiology)
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11 pages, 296 KiB  
Article
Incidence, Hospitalization, Mortality and Risk Factors of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Residential Homes for Patients with Chronic Mental Illness
by Alberto Arnedo-Pena, María Angeles Romeu-Garcia, Juan Carlos Gasco-Laborda, Noemi Meseguer-Ferrer, Lourdes Safont-Adsuara, Francisco Guillen-Grima, María Dolores Tirado-Balaguer, Susana Sabater-Vidal, María Gil-Fortuño, Oscar Pérez-Olaso, Noelia Hernández-Pérez, Rosario Moreno-Muñoz and Juan Bellido-Blasco
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 391-401; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030030 - 8 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1884
Abstract
Long-term care residential homes (LTCRH) for patients with chronic mental illness have suffered the enormous impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate incidence, hospitalization, mortality, and risk factors of COVID-19 to prevent future epidemics. From March 2020 to January 2021 and before [...] Read more.
Long-term care residential homes (LTCRH) for patients with chronic mental illness have suffered the enormous impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate incidence, hospitalization, mortality, and risk factors of COVID-19 to prevent future epidemics. From March 2020 to January 2021 and before vaccination anti-SARS-CoV-2 begins, cumulate incidence rate (CIR), hospitalization rate (HR), mortality rate (MR), and risk factors of COVID-19 in the 11 LTCRH of two Health Departments of Castellon (Spain) were studied by epidemiological surveillance and an ecological design. Laboratory tests confirmed COVID-19 cases, and multilevel Poisson regression models were employed. All LTCRH participated and comprised 346 residents and 482 staff. Residents had a mean age of 47 years, 40% women, and suffered 75 cases of COVID-19 (CIR = 21.7%), five hospitalizations (HR = 1.4%), and two deaths (MR = 0.6%) with 2.5% fatality-case. Staff suffered 74 cases of the disease (CIR = 15.4%), one hospitalization (HR = 0.2%), and no deaths were reported. Risk factors associated with COVID-19 incidence in residents were private ownership, severe disability, residents be younger, CIR in municipalities where LTCRH was located, CIR in staff, and older age of the facilities. Conclusion: COVID-19 incidence could be prevented by improving infection control in residents and staff and modernizing facilities with increased public ownership. Full article
22 pages, 2668 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Care Home Size Association with COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Catalonia in March and April 2020
by Maria Victoria Zunzunegui, François Béland, Manuel Rico and Fernando J. García López
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 369-390; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030029 - 5 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2652
Abstract
We aim to assess how COVID-19 infection and mortality varied according to facility size in 965 long-term care homes (LTCHs) in Catalonia during March and April 2020. We measured LTCH size by the number of authorised beds. Outcomes were COVID-19 infection (at least [...] Read more.
We aim to assess how COVID-19 infection and mortality varied according to facility size in 965 long-term care homes (LTCHs) in Catalonia during March and April 2020. We measured LTCH size by the number of authorised beds. Outcomes were COVID-19 infection (at least one COVID-19 case in an LTCH) and COVID-19 mortality. Risks of these were estimated with logistic regression and hurdle models. Models were adjusted for county COVID-19 incidence and population, and LTCH types. Sixty-five per cent of the LTCHs were infected by COVID-19. We found a strong association between COVID-19 infection and LTCH size in the adjusted analysis (from 45% in 10-bed homes to 97.5% in those with over 150 places). The average COVID-19 mortality in all LTCHs was 6.8% (3887 deaths) and 9.2% among the COVID-19-infected LTCHs. Very small and large homes had higher COVID-19 mortality, whereas LTCHs with 30 to 70 places had the lowest level. COVID-19 mortality sharply increased with LTCH size in counties with a cumulative incidence of COVID-19 which was higher than 250/100,000, except for very small homes, but slightly decreased with LTCH size when the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was lower. To prevent infection and preserve life, the optimal size of an LTCH should be between 30 and 70 places. Full article
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6 pages, 396 KiB  
Brief Report
Is Monkeypox Being Underdiagnosed in Countries with More Stigmatizing Attitudes towards Men Who Have Sex with Men? A Simple Ecological Analysis
by Chris Kenyon
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 363-368; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030028 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
It is not known why the recent outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) has been more extensive in certain European countries than others. Previous studies have found that European countries with more stigmatizing attitudes to homosexuality have more undiagnosed HIV infections in men who have [...] Read more.
It is not known why the recent outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) has been more extensive in certain European countries than others. Previous studies have found that European countries with more stigmatizing attitudes to homosexuality have more undiagnosed HIV infections in men who have sex with men (MSM). We hypothesized that MPX in MSM may be underdiagnosed in European countries with more stigmatizing attitudes to homosexuality and less access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for MSM. To test this hypothesis, we used Spearman’s correlation to assess if the national incidence of MPX in European countries was negatively associated with the intensity of screening for STIs and a composite indicator of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI) rights (the Rainbow Index). We found that the national cumulative incidence of MPX was positively correlated with the intensity of chlamydia/gonorrhoea screening (rho 0.68, p-value < 0.0001), syphilis screening (rho 0.62, p-value < 0.0001), and the Rainbow Index (rho 0.65, p-value < 0.0001). Our analysis thus suggests caution is required in interpreting the relatively lower incidence of MPX reported from several Eastern European countries. A key limitation of this analysis is that the incidence of MPX was calculated in the whole population and not limited to the MSM population. Full article
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10 pages, 988 KiB  
Article
Socioeconomic Differences between Sexes in Surgically Treated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
by Malin Zimmerman, Ilka Anker and Erika Nyman
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 353-362; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030027 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1735
Abstract
We aimed to investigate socioeconomic differences between sexes and the influence on outcome following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) at the elbow. Patients with CTS (n = 9000) or UNE (n = 1266) registered in [...] Read more.
We aimed to investigate socioeconomic differences between sexes and the influence on outcome following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) at the elbow. Patients with CTS (n = 9000) or UNE (n = 1266) registered in the Swedish National Register for Hand Surgery (HAKIR) 2010–2016 were included and evaluated using QuickDASH 12 months postoperatively. Statistics Sweden (SCB) provided socioeconomic data. In women with CTS, being born outside Sweden, having received social assistance, and more sick leave days predicted worse outcomes. Higher earnings and the highest level of education predicted better outcomes. In men with CTS, more sick leave days and having received social assistance predicted worse outcomes. Higher earnings predicted better outcomes. For women with UNE, higher earnings predicted better outcomes. In men with UNE, only sick leave days predicted worse outcomes. In long-term follow up, socioeconomic status affects outcomes differently in women and men with CTS or UNE. Full article
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16 pages, 286 KiB  
Article
Intimate Partner Violence in the Sub-Saharan African Immigrant Community in Chicago: A Changing Landscape
by Kathryn Wenham, Bernadette Sebar, Patricia Lee, Neil Harris and Gabrielle Campbell
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 337-352; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030026 - 4 Jul 2022
Viewed by 2149
Abstract
The challenges of conducting research on intimate partner violence (IPV) in immigrant communities means little is known about the occurrence of various forms of IPV, making it difficult to address in these populations. This research draws on data gathered in Chicago’s large and [...] Read more.
The challenges of conducting research on intimate partner violence (IPV) in immigrant communities means little is known about the occurrence of various forms of IPV, making it difficult to address in these populations. This research draws on data gathered in Chicago’s large and varied African immigrant communities. This research used a mixed methods approach: collection of quantitative survey data on occurrence, followed by qualitative interviews to explain the results. Missing quantitative data and contradicting qualitative responses made it difficult to draw definite conclusions on physical IPV; however, verbal abuse and controlling behaviours appear to be relatively widespread and normalised, and not always viewed as violence. Particularly with the probability of future pandemics and natural disasters, which are known to increase prevalence, it is important to raise awareness of less visible controlling behaviours and verbal abuse as forms of violence, and to implement appropriate prevention programs to minimise a concomitant rise in IPV within African immigrant communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Developments in Epidemiology)
14 pages, 3841 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Long-Term Care Home Ownership and Administration Type on All-Cause Mortality from March to April 2020 in Madrid, Spain
by Maria Victoria Zunzunegui, Manuel Rico, François Béland and Fernando J. García-López
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 323-336; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030025 - 23 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5825
Abstract
Our aim is to assess whether long-term care home (LTCH) ownership and administration type were associated with all-cause mortality in 470 LTCHs in the Community of Madrid (Spain) during March and April 2020, the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are [...] Read more.
Our aim is to assess whether long-term care home (LTCH) ownership and administration type were associated with all-cause mortality in 470 LTCHs in the Community of Madrid (Spain) during March and April 2020, the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are eight categories of LTCH type, including various combinations of ownership type (for-profit, nonprofit, and public) and administration type (completely private, private with places rented by the public sector, administrative management by procurement, and completely public). Multilevel regression was used to examine the association between mortality and LTCH type, adjusting for LTCH size, the spread of the COVID-19 infection, and the referral hospital. There were 9468 deaths, a mortality rate of 18.3%. Public and private LTCHs had lower mortality than LTCHs under public–private partnership (PPP) agreements. In the fully adjusted model, mortality was 7.4% (95% CI, 3.1–11.7%) in totally public LTCHs compared with 21.9% (95% CI, 17.4–26.4%) in LTCHs which were publicly owned with administrative management by procurement. These results are a testimony to the fatal consequences that pre-pandemic public–private partnerships in long-term residential care led to during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Full article
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9 pages, 1436 KiB  
Review
A Bibliographic Analysis of Primary Studies on Physical Activity and COVID-19 during 2020–2021
by Melissa Ciuldim, Rozangela Verlengia and Alex Harley Crisp
Epidemiologia 2022, 3(3), 314-322; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3030024 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1948
Abstract
Physical distancing and restrictions have been implemented to reduce the transmission rate of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In contrast, the impact of the pandemic on levels of physical activity has been the subject of studies worldwide. Since the first reported case in December [...] Read more.
Physical distancing and restrictions have been implemented to reduce the transmission rate of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In contrast, the impact of the pandemic on levels of physical activity has been the subject of studies worldwide. Since the first reported case in December 2019, the number of scientific studies on COVID-19 has grown in a way that has never been seen before. The current study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of primary studies on physical activity and COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic. The search was carried out using the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. Our analysis identified a total of 2023 published documents from 10,199 authors, with an annual growth rate of 330% between 2020 and 2021. Open-access scientific journals were the main sources of publication, and the level of collaboration among the most influential researchers contributed to productivity. A co-occurrence analysis of the authors’ keywords indicated a high prevalence of themes related to mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep, and quality of life. In conclusion, the bibliometric analysis revealed a high volume of primary studies on physical activity and COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic, and mental health was a much discussed topic. Full article
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