Journal of internal medicine
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Review
Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.
The long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive function have become an area of increasing concern. This paper provides an overview of characteristics, risk factors, possible mechanisms, and management strategies for cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). Prolonged cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common impairments in PCC, affecting between 17% and 28% of the individuals more than 12 weeks after the infection and persisting in some cases for several years. ⋯ Assistive products and environmental modifications adapted to individual needs might be helpful. In specific attention- and working memory dysfunctions, cognitive training-carefully monitored for intensity-might be effective for people who do not suffer from post-exertional malaise. Further research is crucial for evidence-based interventions specific to COVID-19-related cognitive impairments.
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The incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease increases with levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Yet, a paradox may exist where lower LDL-C levels at myocardial infarction (MI) are associated with poorer prognoses. ⋯ Patients with the highest LDL-C levels at MI had the lowest incidence of mortality and morbidity. This seems to reflect lower age at MI, less underlying morbidities, paired with the modifiability of LDL-C. However, supporting the causal association between LDL-C and ischemic heart disease, elevated LDL-C was simultaneously associated with an increased risk of nonfatal MI.
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There is limited information about sociodemographic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake among non-elderly adults with an increased risk of severe COVID-19. We investigated the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in individuals aged 18-64 years with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 (non-elderly risk group) in Stockholm County, Sweden. ⋯ These results call for measures to tackle sociodemographic disparities in vaccination programmes during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but limited awareness and treatment options may hinder its management among CKD patients followed in primary care. ⋯ Anemia was common and associated with adverse outcomes among patients with CKD stages 3-5 managed in primary care. Iron stores were infrequently tested, and a large proportion of patients with anemia remained untreated/under-recognized.
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The 2021 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline for the management of blood pressure (BP) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) recommends a target systolic BP of <120 mmHg as this target can provide cardiovascular benefits. However, it remains unclear whether implementing the new BP target could improve kidney outcomes. ⋯ The newly lowered BP target by the 2021 KDIGO guideline was associated with improved kidney outcome compared with BP target by the 2012 KDIGO guideline.