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Trisha SM, Ahmed SB, Uddin MF, Tabassum TT, Rahman NAS, Gupta M, Samiha M, Moulee ST, Al Sakir DI, Podder V, Agarwala RK, Agarwala N, Singhania P, Tulsan SK. Prevalence, Knowledge, Causes, and Practices of Self-Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Cureus 2024; 16:e52061. [PMID: 38348002 PMCID: PMC10859611 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication (SM) has become a critical element in the healthcare system. SM can ease the burden on hospitals and medical resources by treating minor illnesses. However, inappropriate SM practices can lead to adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, and incorrect diagnoses, resulting in poor health outcomes. Methods To evaluate the prevalence, knowledge, causes, and practices of SM among the Bangladeshi population during the COVID-19 outbreak, a cross-sectional survey with structured questionnaires was conducted in Chittagong City, Bangladesh, from March to May 2022. The survey included 265 participants, with an average age of 35.09 years, and a multiple-choice questionnaire was used to gather information. Results The study found that 64.15% of the respondents had sufficient knowledge of SM, while 35.8% had insufficient knowledge. The primary reasons for SM during the pandemic were the influence of friends/family (90.74%), fear of infection or contact with COVID-19 cases (73.15%), and fear of quarantine or self-isolation (72.22%). Analgesics/pain relievers (84%) were the most commonly used drugs for SM for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Antiulcerants/antacid (42%), vitamin C and multivitamins (42%), and antibiotics (32%) were also frequently used. Conclusion This study suggests that SM is prevalent among Chittagong City residents, particularly those with less than a tertiary education. The study highlights the importance of building awareness about SM practices and taking necessary steps to control them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Mahmud Trisha
- Marine Biotechnology, Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Dhaka, BGD
| | | | | | | | | | - Mridul Gupta
- Health and Nutrition, Save the Children in Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Maisha Samiha
- Health and Nutrition, Save the Children in Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Shahra Tanjim Moulee
- Management Information Systems, International American University, Los Angeles, USA
| | | | - Vivek Podder
- General Medicine, Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Gazipur, BGD
| | | | - Nikita Agarwala
- Internal Medicine, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogura, BGD
| | - Priya Singhania
- Ophthalmology, Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital, Dhaka, BGD
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Patel JC, Gupta A, Kumar P, Waidha KM, Deep A, Kumar A, Katare DP, Sharma AK. Cardiovascular diseases display etiological and seasonal trend in human population: Evidence from seasonal cardiovascular comorbid diseases (SCCD) index. Am J Hum Biol 2023; 35:e23867. [PMID: 36651684 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Seasonal changes in the human cardiovascular system are known to play an important role in the onset of many diseases. Confounding variables include behavioral and environmental factors; failing to address such variables makes measuring the true temporal impact of these diseases difficult. On the other hand, numerous clinical studies imply that only specific groups of people are more seasonal sensitive and that their maladaptation might contribute to various illnesses. As a result, it is critical to evaluate the etiological and seasonal sensitive patterns of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which impact the majority of the human population. The hypothesis for this study formulated that cardiovascular and associated illnesses had substantial connections with seasonal and etiological variations. Thus in the present study, 4519 systematic screen-eligible studies were analyzed using data mining to uncover 852 disease association relationships between cardiovascular and associated disorders. A disease ontology-based semantic similarity network (DSN) analysis was performed to narrow down the identified CVDs. Further, topological analysis was used to predict the seven CVDs, including myocardial infarction (MI), in three clusters. Following that, Mann-Kendall and Cox-Stuart analyses were used to investigate the seasonal sensitivity and temporal relationship of these seven CVDs. Finally, temporal relationships were confirmed using LOESS and TBATS, as well as seasonal breakdown utilizing autocorrelation and fast Fourier transform results. The study provides indirect evidence of a severe etiological association among the three cardiovascular diseases, including MI, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis, which are winter season sensitive in most of the world population. Hypertension has two seasonal falls and peaks due to its seasonal nature, that is, summer and winter hypertension. While, heart failure was also identified, with minor temporal trends. Hence, all five diseases could be classified as seasonal cardiovascular comorbid diseases (SCCD). Furthermore, these diseases could be studied for potential common risk factors such as biochemical, genetic, and physiological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Chand Patel
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram, India
| | | | | | | | - Aakash Deep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CBLU, Bhiwani, Haryana, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram, India
| | | | - Arun K Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram, India
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3
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Obermoser K, Brigo N, Schroll A, Monfort-Lanzas P, Gostner JM, Engl S, Geisler S, Knoll M, Schennach H, Weiss G, Fuchs D, Bellmann-Weiler R, Kurz K. Positive Effects of Probiotic Therapy in Patients with Post-Infectious Fatigue. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13050639. [PMID: 37233680 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13050639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-infectious fatigue is a common complication that can lead to decreased physical efficiency, depression, and impaired quality of life. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been proposed as a contributing factor, as the gut-brain axis plays an important role in regulating physical and mental health. This pilot study aimed to investigate the severity of fatigue and depression, as well as the quality of life of 70 patients with post-infectious fatigue who received a multi-strain probiotic preparation or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients completed questionnaires to assess their fatigue (fatigue severity scale (FSS)), mood (Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II)), and quality of life (short form-36 (SF-36)) at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Routine laboratory parameters were also assessed, including immune-mediated changes in tryptophan and phenylalanine metabolism. The intervention was effective in improving fatigue, mood, and quality of life in both the probiotic and placebo groups, with greater improvements seen in the probiotic group. FSS and BDI-II scores declined significantly under treatment with both probiotics and placebo, but patients who received probiotics had significantly lower FSS (p < 0.001) and BDI-II (p < 0.001) scores after 6 months. Quality of life scores improved significantly in patients who received probiotics (p < 0.001), while patients taking a placebo only saw improvements in the "Physical limitation" and "Energy/Fatigue" subcategories. After 6 months neopterin was higher in patients receiving placebo, while no longitudinal changes in interferon-gamma mediated biochemical pathways were observed. These findings suggest that probiotics may be a promising intervention for improving the health of patients with post-infectious fatigue, potentially through modulating the gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Obermoser
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natascha Brigo
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Schroll
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pablo Monfort-Lanzas
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johanna M Gostner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabine Engl
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simon Geisler
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Miriam Knoll
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schoepfstrasse 41, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Harald Schennach
- Central Institute of Blood Transfusion and Immunology, University Hospital, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rosa Bellmann-Weiler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katharina Kurz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Kattainen S, Lindahl A, Vasankari T, Ollila H, Volmonen K, Piirilä P, Kauppi P, Paajanen J, Kreivi HR, Ulenius L, Varpula T, Aro M, Reijula J, Hästbacka J. Lung function and exercise capacity 6 months after hospital discharge for critical COVID-19. BMC Pulm Med 2022; 22:243. [PMID: 35733179 PMCID: PMC9215155 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02023-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significant morbidity caused by COVID-19 necessitates further understanding of long-term recovery. Our aim was to evaluate long-term lung function, exercise capacity, and radiological findings in patients after critical COVID-19. METHODS Patients who received treatment in ICU for COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 underwent pulmonary function tests, a 6MWD and CXR 6 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS A restrictive ventilatory defect was found in 35% (23/65) and an impaired diffusing capacity in 52% (32/62) at 6 months. The 6-minute walk distance was reduced in 33% (18/55), and 7% (4/55) of the patients had reduced exercise capacity. Chest X-ray was abnormal in 78% (52/67) at 6 months after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION A significant number of patients had persisting lung function impairment and radiological abnormalities at 6 months after critical COVID-19. Reduced exercise capacity was rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salla Kattainen
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Intensive Care Unit, Meilahti Tower Hospital, Building 1, Haartmaninkatu 4, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Anna Lindahl
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Finnish Lung Health Association, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Vasankari
- Finnish Lung Health Association, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Clinical Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Henriikka Ollila
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Volmonen
- Radiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Piirilä
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Unit of Clinical Physiology, HUS Medical Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Kauppi
- Pulmonology, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juuso Paajanen
- Pulmonology, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna-Riikka Kreivi
- Pulmonology, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Linda Ulenius
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tero Varpula
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miia Aro
- Finnish Lung Health Association, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jere Reijula
- Pulmonology, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Hästbacka
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Polastri
- Dept of Continuity of Care and Disability, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Campanello
- Dept of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Unit of Pneumonology, St Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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Karbownik MS, Dobielska M, Paul E, Kowalczyk RP, Kowalczyk E. Health-, medication- and dietary supplement-related behaviors and beliefs relatively unchanged during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Res Social Adm Pharm 2021; 17:1501-1506. [PMID: 33272858 PMCID: PMC7691166 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lockdown imposed to counter the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has evoked an unprecedented phenomenon that could affect health behaviors and beliefs. OBJECTIVE To examine how medication-, dietary supplement- and health-related behaviors, beliefs and other psychological constructs changed in Polish online health service users during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. METHODS A one-time online survey accessed through a health service website was completed before and during the pandemic lockdown by separate samples of respondents. The survey examined beliefs about medicines and dietary supplements, consumption of dietary supplements, trust and contact with their advertisements, sources of dietary supplement knowledge as well as perceived health, diet, physical activity and smoking, among other things. RESULTS The study included 1560 participants. Most examined outcomes remained unchanged over COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Beliefs that the dietary supplement quality is well controlled became significantly more pronounced during the lockdown (adjusted ratio of estimates 1.16, 95%CI 1.06-1.27, p = 0.001). Fewer people reported having contact with dietary supplement advertisements (adjusted odds ratio 0.59, 95%CI 0.43-0.83, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The results may help understand some health-related issues associated with COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and may be used to shape aspects of health-related policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Seweryn Karbownik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, 7/9 Zeligowskiego Str, Lodz, 90-752, Poland,Corresponding author. 7/9 Zeligowskiego Str., Lodz, 90-752, Poland
| | - Maria Dobielska
- Students' Research Club, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, 7/9 Zeligowskiego Str, Lodz, 90-752, Poland
| | - Ewelina Paul
- OSOM STUDIO, 47 Jaracza Str, Lodz, 90-249, Poland
| | | | - Edward Kowalczyk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, 7/9 Zeligowskiego Str, Lodz, 90-752, Poland
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Sansone A, Mollaioli D, Cignarelli A, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, Colonnello E, Balercia G, Reisman Y, Jannini EA. Male Sexual Health and Sexual Behaviors during the First National COVID-19 Lockdown in a Western Country: A Real-Life, Web-Based Study. Sexes 2021; 2:293-304. [DOI: 10.3390/sexes2030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Restriction measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic had severe effects on male sexual and reproductive health. We aimed to investigate the real-life impact and perception of sexual function in 2020 in Italy, as the first Western country experiencing a national lockdown by measuring relative search volume for keywords pertaining to sexual health and behaviors provided by Google Trends and sales data for pro-erectile treatments. No significant change was observed for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Interest towards most phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors decreased significantly during lockdown (e.g., sildenafil, p = 0.0002; tadalafil p = 0.0016), then reverted to pre-lockdown levels (e.g., sildenafil, p < 0.0001; tadalafil p < 0.0001), mirroring a concomitant sales decrement (p = 0.0292). A subsequent recovery to previous levels at the end of the social confinement was also found (e.g., after vs. before lockdown, sildenafil, p = 0.8459; tadalafil p = 0.1166). During lockdown, interest towards pornography significantly increased during restrictions (p = 0.0053) and remained high (after vs. before lockdown, p = 0.0004), whereas interest towards paid and casual sex declined (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.049, respectively), then reverted to previous levels (after vs. before lockdown, p = 0.3969 and 0.8373, respectively). During the first Italian lockdown, we observed a transient but measurable decrease of sexual health-seeking behaviors and changes in sexual behaviors, with unknown impact for sexual medicine and public health.
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