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COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era
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COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 9371

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ludovico Abenavoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia”, Campus Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; alcoholic liver disease; gut microbiota; Mediterranean diet; nutrition; COVID-19; probiotic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Filippo Lococo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy
2. Department of Medicine and Translational Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, 00153 Roma, Italy
Interests: imaging in lung cancer; imaging in pleural and mediastinal tumors; PET CT scan in thoracic neoplasms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the condition caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since 2020, the pandemic has influenced our lives in nearly every corner of the world, causing over 770 million confirmed cases and more than 7 million deaths globally. This global scenario changed ways to perform research and consider healthcare systems. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis emphasized the connections between research, clinical practice, and health policies. On 5 May 2023, more than three years after the pandemic had been declared, the World Health Organization ended the global emergency status for COVID-19; however, the end of the pandemic will not be the end of COVID-19. It is necessary to continue protecting the most vulnerable people against the disease and its complications, through routine vaccination. In this way, many pivotal points are open and need to be clarified.

Aim and Scope

This Special Issue, titled “COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: the Post-Pandemic era”, aims to report the state of the art and the new challenges resulting from COVID-19. In particular, we want to discuss the therapies, vaccines, public health policies, and social aspects related to this disease. We invite eminent scholars and emerging researchers to submit high-level scientific articles, as indicated in the keywords below.

Prof. Dr. Ludovico Abenavoli
Prof. Dr. Filippo Lococo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diseases is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pandemic
  • COVID-19
  • infection
  • therapy
  • disease
  • health
  • patients
  • healthcare
  • research

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 852 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of qSOFA, PRIEST, PAINT, and ISARIC4C Scores in Predicting Severe COVID-19 Outcomes Among Patients Aged over 75 Years
by Daniela Rosca, Vamsi Krishna, Chandramouli Chetarajupalli, Adelina Maria Jianu, Ilona Emoke Deak, Claudia Raluca Balasa Virzob, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin, Madalina Boruga and Rodica Lighezan
Diseases 2024, 12(12), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12120304 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Background: Elderly patients, particularly those over 75 years old, have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, exhibiting higher rates of severe outcomes, such as ICU admissions and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various clinical scoring systems—qSOFA, PRIEST, PAINT, [...] Read more.
Background: Elderly patients, particularly those over 75 years old, have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, exhibiting higher rates of severe outcomes, such as ICU admissions and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various clinical scoring systems—qSOFA, PRIEST, PAINT, and ISARIC4C—in predicting ICU admission, the need for mechanical ventilation, and mortality among elderly COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study conducted at two tertiary care hospitals, 131 elderly patients (aged ≥ 75) and 226 younger controls (aged < 65) with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Clinical scores were computed at admission and five days after symptom onset. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to assess the predictive performance of the scores regarding severe outcomes. Results: Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated significantly lower survival probabilities for elderly patients with high scores at admission. Those with an ISARIC4C score above 11.8 had a survival probability of 25% compared to 74% for those below this threshold (p < 0.001). Similarly, elderly patients with a qSOFA score above 2.1 had a survival probability of 36% compared to 72% for those with lower scores (p < 0.001). The PRIEST and PAINT scores also demonstrated predictive validity; patients with a PRIEST score above 6.3 and a PAINT score above 6.5 at admission showed comparable decreases in survival probabilities. ROC analysis at five days post-symptom onset revealed that the ISARIC4C score had the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.772, suggesting excellent predictive validity for severe outcomes, including mortality. The optimal cutoffs identified were 11.2 for ISARIC4C, 6.3 for PRIEST, and 6.5 for PAINT, each displaying high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: The ISARIC4C, qSOFA, PRIEST, and PAINT scores are robust predictors of severe outcomes in elderly COVID-19 patients over 75 years old, as confirmed by Kaplan–Meier and ROC analyses. These tools can be crucial for early identification of patients at high risk of adverse outcomes, guiding clinical decision making, and optimizing resource allocation. The use of these scoring systems should be encouraged in clinical settings to enhance the management of elderly COVID-19 patients. Further research is necessary to validate these findings across different populations and settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
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9 pages, 251 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Presentation and Severity of Acute Appendicitis: A Comparison of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Eras
by Mohammed Bu Bshait, Ahmed Kamal, Abdullah Almaqhawi, Ahmad Al Abdulqader, Haytham Alarfaj, Mohammed Albarqi, Nawaf Al Khashram, Nora AlMssallem, Fatimah Aljalal, Sara Aljaafari, Abtesam Alnaim, Sharifah Alzabdawi and Ahmad Odeh
Diseases 2024, 12(11), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12110270 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 978
Abstract
Background: The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with people’s avoidance of hospital exposure, led to a reduction in medical consultations and delays in care seeking. Numerous reports have shown a decrease in the number of appendectomies performed and an increased incidence of [...] Read more.
Background: The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with people’s avoidance of hospital exposure, led to a reduction in medical consultations and delays in care seeking. Numerous reports have shown a decrease in the number of appendectomies performed and an increased incidence of complicated appendicitis during the pandemic. We aimed to investigate these findings during and after the cessation of COVID-19-related restrictions. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single centre, including consecutive adult patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis during three different periods: the pandemic cohort (7 March–30 June 2020), the post-pandemic cohort (7 March–30 June 2022) and the pre-pandemic control cohort (7 March–30 June 2019). A total of 103 patients were included and divided into the three cohorts. The patients’ demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, and operative data were compared. Results: The three groups did not differ significantly regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, or the number of appendectomies. However, a duration of symptoms at presentation of less than 2 days was significantly more frequent in the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic groups than the pandemic group (p = 0.001). The interval between admission and operation was significantly shorter in the post-pandemic group than in the pandemic group. The pandemic group also showed a higher incidence of complicated appendicitis compared to the others (p = 0.025). Conclusions: The termination of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions promoted the earlier presentation of acute appendicitis cases and lowered the incidence of complicated appendicitis. This emphasises the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute appendicitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
11 pages, 365 KiB  
Article
Unraveling Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 Patients: Insights from a High-Volume-Center Case–Control Study
by Khrystyna Kuzmych, Marcello Covino, Mattia Paratore, Annalisa Campanella, Ludovico Abenavoli, Giuseppe Calabrese, Antonio Giulio Napolitano, Carolina Sassorossi, Stefano Margaritora and Filippo Lococo
Diseases 2024, 12(10), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12100242 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 771
Abstract
Background: Pneumomediastinum (PNM) is a severe complication in COVID-19 patients, potentially exacerbating morbidity and requiring heightened clinical attention. This study aims to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes associated with PNM in COVID-19 patients hospitalized for respiratory failure in our institution. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Pneumomediastinum (PNM) is a severe complication in COVID-19 patients, potentially exacerbating morbidity and requiring heightened clinical attention. This study aims to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes associated with PNM in COVID-19 patients hospitalized for respiratory failure in our institution. Methods: Among 4513 patients admitted in our institution and testing positive for COVID-19 infection during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy (1 March 2020 to 31 July 2020), we conducted a single-center, retrospective case–control study focusing our analysis on those with severe disease (respiratory failure). The cohort included a total of 65 patients (32 with PNM and 33 without PNM in the same period). Data were retrospectively collected from hospital records, including demographics, comorbidities, smoking history, clinical and laboratory findings, and imaging results. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test, with significance set at α = 0.05. Results: Patients with PNM were significantly younger (54.9 ± 18.5 vs. 65.4 ± 14.3 years, p = 0.0214) and exhibited higher inflammatory markers, particularly white blood cells count (WBC) at admission (11.4 ± 5.4 vs. 6.5 ± 4.1, p < 0.0001). Although smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and major comorbidities did not differ significantly between groups, COPD was more prevalent in the PNM group (46.9% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.0148). Radiologically, ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidations were more frequent in PNM patients (93.7% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.0002; 78.1% vs. 42.2%, p = 0.0051, respectively). PNM was associated with longer hospital stays (28.5 ± 14.9 vs. 12.0 ± 7.2 days, p < 0.0001) and a higher need for invasive mechanical ventilation (53.1% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.0619). However, mortality rates did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: PNM in patients with severe COVID-19 infection is associated with younger age, elevated inflammatory markers, and extensive lung involvement, contributing to increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Early detection and tailored management strategies, including optimized respiratory support and aggressive anti-inflammatory therapies, are crucial in mitigating the adverse outcomes associated with PNM. Further research is needed to validate these findings and improve clinical protocols for managing this complication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
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8 pages, 992 KiB  
Article
Mortality in Amputees with Peripheral Artery Disease during the Post-COVID Era: A Three-Year Analysis
by Mohammad Mahdi Kasiri, Martina Mittlboeck, Bernd Gollackner and Christoph Neumayer
Diseases 2024, 12(7), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12070133 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 983
Abstract
Background: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have 40–70% higher three-year mortality after lower limb amputation compared to non-amputees. In this study, we examined the consequences of delayed treatment for patients with PAD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This study [...] Read more.
Background: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have 40–70% higher three-year mortality after lower limb amputation compared to non-amputees. In this study, we examined the consequences of delayed treatment for patients with PAD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This study employed a retrospective single-centre cohort design at a large tertiary care hospital. We compared amputees with PAD during the initial COVID-19 outbreak period in 2020 with a control group of amputees from 2019 after a three-year follow-up. Results: In total, 134 amputees with PAD were included due to unsuccessful revascularization (n = 84 in 2020 vs. n = 50 in 2019). Patients in 2020 were significantly younger than those in 2019 (p = 0.01) and mostly admitted with advanced stages of PAD (p < 0.03). The proportion of major limb amputations increased significantly in 2020 (p = 0.03). Non-COVID-19-related deaths among patients in 2020 were more than twice as many as those in 2019, and long-term mortality in 2020 was 49% compared to 39% in 2019 (p = 0.04). Diabetes and renal insufficiency had a significantly negative impact on the survival of amputees with PAD (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Delayed treatment in patients with PAD leads to high long-term mortality risk after amputation, especially in PAD patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency. Therefore, in future pandemics, continuously monitoring patients with PAD will be crucial to prevent delayed treatment and severe short-term and long-term consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
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15 pages, 641 KiB  
Article
The COVID-19 Experience in Adolescents: Emotional and Behavioral Recall at the End of the Pandemic
by Luciana Zaccagni, Federica De Luca, Natascia Rinaldo, Gianni Mazzoni, Simona Mandini and Emanuela Gualdi-Russo
Diseases 2024, 12(6), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12060116 - 2 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1175
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown countermeasure may have significantly affected adolescents’ physical and mental health. This study aims to assess adolescents’ recollections of this period, also analyzing their current weight status along with factors they traced back to the epidemic phase [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown countermeasure may have significantly affected adolescents’ physical and mental health. This study aims to assess adolescents’ recollections of this period, also analyzing their current weight status along with factors they traced back to the epidemic phase and their current sports practice. A survey among 233 Italian adolescents aged 12.4 ± 0.9 years was conducted in October 2023. To achieve the research objectives, a new questionnaire was developed: the COVID-19 AdolesceNt/chilDren Lockdown Experience questionnaire (CANDLE). The new questionnaire was employed to gather data on the adolescents’ recollections of the lockdown situation they experienced. The stature and weight of participants were measured directly. The results indicated that middle schoolers remember both positive and negative experiences of the lockdown: the change perceived as the most positive was spending more time with family, while social detachment from peers represents the most negative aspect. According to multivariate regression analysis, certain behaviors they assumed during the lockdown, such as comfort food consumption in boys and sleeping disturbances in girls, in addition to their current sports practice, affected their actual Body Mass Index. This study supports the evidence that changes caused by the COVID-19 lockdown affected adolescents’ physical and mental health, albeit with sex differences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
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54 pages, 1074 KiB  
Review
Long COVID in Children, Adults, and Vulnerable Populations: A Comprehensive Overview for an Integrated Approach
by Valeria Calcaterra, Sara Zanelli, Andrea Foppiani, Elvira Verduci, Beatrice Benatti, Roberto Bollina, Francesco Bombaci, Antonio Brucato, Selene Cammarata, Elisa Calabrò, Giovanna Cirnigliaro, Silvia Della Torre, Bernardo Dell’osso, Chiara Moltrasio, Angelo Valerio Marzano, Chiara Nostro, Maurizio Romagnuolo, Lucia Trotta, Valeria Savasi, Valeria Smiroldo and Gianvincenzo Zuccottiadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Diseases 2024, 12(5), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12050095 - 6 May 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3585
Abstract
Long COVID affects both children and adults, including subjects who experienced severe, mild, or even asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have provided a comprehensive overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of persistent COVID-19 symptoms in both children and adults, encompassing [...] Read more.
Long COVID affects both children and adults, including subjects who experienced severe, mild, or even asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have provided a comprehensive overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of persistent COVID-19 symptoms in both children and adults, encompassing vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and oncological patients. Our objective is to emphasize the critical significance of adopting an integrated approach for the early detection and appropriate management of long COVID. The incidence and severity of long COVID symptoms can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and the course of disease in the case of pre-existing pathologies. Particularly, in fragile and vulnerable patients, the presence of PASC is related to significantly worse survival, independent from pre-existing vulnerabilities and treatment. It is important try to achieve an early recognition and management. Various mechanisms are implicated, resulting in a wide range of clinical presentations. Understanding the specific mechanisms and risk factors involved in long COVID is crucial for tailoring effective interventions and support strategies. Management approaches involve comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and treatment of symptoms and comorbidities, such as autonomic dysfunction, as well as multidisciplinary rehabilitation. The overall course of long COVID is one of gradual improvement, with recovery observed in the majority, though not all, of patients. As the research on long-COVID continues to evolve, ongoing studies are likely to shed more light on the intricate relationship between chronic diseases, such as oncological status, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and the persistent effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This information could guide healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers in developing targeted interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Global Chronic Disease 2024: The Post-pandemic Era)
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