Articles: covid-19.
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Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines exhibit diverse side effects, taste and saliva secretory disorders have remained poorly understood despite their negative impact on the overall quality of life. The present study aimed to characterize oral adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination and assess their similarities with oral symptoms in COVID-19 patients. A literature search was conducted in databases, including PubMed, LitCovid, and Google Scholar, to retrieve relevant studies. ⋯ Considering that oral adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination share some characteristics with oral symptoms in COVID-19 patients, it is speculated that the spike protein derived from COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection may be pathophysiologically responsible for taste and saliva secretory disorders. This is because such spike protein has the potential to interact with ACE2 expressed on the relevant cells, produce proinflammatory cytokines, and form antiphospholipid antibodies. Our results do not deny the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination, but attention should be paid to post-vaccination oral effects in addition to COVID-19 oral symptoms.
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Survivors of acute respiratory failure (ARF) have complex healthcare needs postdischarge, frequently resulting in unmet needs. This prospective multicenter study explores the association between COVID-19 status and unmet healthcare needs in survivors of ARF following hospital discharge. We analyzed patient characteristics and unmet healthcare needs by COVID-19 status using a multivariable regression model with propensity weights. ⋯ The median (IQR) percentage of unmet healthcare needs was 26% (17%-36%), with follow-up appointments accounting for most unmet needs. Unmet medication needs were found to be very low at 6%. Despite the challenges in healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, our data suggest COVID status had no observable effect on unmet healthcare needs for ARF survivors, after controlling for patient baseline and clinical status.
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Pregnancy is a complex biological process and serious complications can arise when the delicate balance between the maternal and semi-allogeneic fetal immune systems is disrupted or challenged. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight pose serious threats to maternal and fetal health. Identification of early biomarkers through an in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms is critical for early intervention. ⋯ Our study provides novel insights into the interplay between preexisting conditions and immune dysregulation in pregnancy. These findings contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of obstetric complications and the identification of novel biomarkers for early intervention(s) to improve maternal and fetal health.
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Classification of persons with long COVID (LC) or post-COVID-19 condition must encompass the complexity and heterogeneity of the condition. Iterative refinement of the classification index for research is needed to incorporate newly available data as the field rapidly evolves. ⋯ The 2024 LC research index for adults builds on the 2023 index with additional data and symptoms to help researchers classify symptomatic LC and its symptom subtypes. Continued future refinement of the index will be needed as the understanding of LC evolves.