Simplified sleep resistance test for daytime sleepiness detection

Objectives: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a highly prevalent symptom that increases the risk of traffic accidents and deteriorates the quality of life. The diagnosis of EDS is difficult because of the complex infrastructure that is required. The new test here proposed assesses the ability of a simple test of simplify the detection of daytime sleepiness compared with the OSLER test. Material and Methods: In the new test, during 20 minute subjects were asked to pass a finger by a groove in response to a light emitting diode, inside dark glasses, which was lit for 1s in every three, with headphones that reduce the ambient noise and was compared with the OSLER test on each subject in random order. Results: The proposed method showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 61%, with a positive predictive value of 67% and negative predictive value of 100% when compared with the OSLER test. The value of area under the ROC curve was 0.81 (0.62-0.99), p=0.013. In a Bland-Altman plot, most of the latency times differences are in the 95% agreement interval (p=0.05). In addition, the confidence interval of the mean and most of the positive results are above the zero line. The Cohens Kappa coefficient obtained is 0.58 (95% CI 0.29-0.88). Conclusion: In this sample of patients, the proposed method detects EDS in a similar way as OSLER test and can be performed in different environments without requiring special infrastructure or expert personnel.Fil: Larrateguy, Luis Darío. Centro Privado de Medicina Respiratoria; ArgentinaFil: Pais, Carlos Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Larrateguy, Luis Ignacio. Centro Privado de Medicina Respiratoria; ArgentinaFil: Larrateguy, Santiago Darío. Centro Privado de Medicina Respiratoria; ArgentinaFil: Schlotthauer, Gaston. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Matemática e Informática. Laboratorio de Señales y Dinámicas no Lineales; Argentin

Exploring long COVID condition in Latin America: Its impact on patients’ activities and associated healthcare use

BackgroundStudies exploring long COVID condition (LCC) in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Further characterization of LCC patients experiencing activity limitations and their associated healthcare use is needed. This study aimed to describe LCC patients’ characteristics, its impact on activities, and associated healthcare use in Latin America (LATAM).ParticipantsIndividuals who (cared for someone or) had COVID-19 and could read, write, and comprehend Spanish and lived in a LATAM country were invited to complete a virtual survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 and LCC symptoms, activity limitations, and healthcare use.ResultsData from 2,466 people from 16 countries in LATAM were analyzed (females = 65.9%; mean age of 39.5 ± 53.3 years). 1,178 (48%) of the respondents had LCC symptoms (≥3 months). These were more likely to have COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic, were older, had no COVID vaccines, had more comorbidities, needed supplementary oxygen, and reported significantly more COVID-19 symptoms during the infectious period. 33% of the respondents visited a primary care provider, 13% went to the emergency department, 5% were hospitalized, 21% visited a specialist, and 32% consulted ≥1 therapist for LCC symptoms mainly extreme fatigue, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle or joint pain, and shortness of breath with activity. The most consulted therapists were respiratory therapists (15%) and psychologists (14%), followed by physical therapists (13%), occupational therapists (3%), and speech pathologists (1%). One-third of LCC respondents decreased their regular activities (e.g., work, school) and 8% needed help with activities of daily living (ADLs). LCC respondents who reduced their activities reported more difficulty sleeping, chest pain with activity, depression, and problems with concentration, thinking, and memory, while those who needed help with ADLs were more likely to have difficulty walking, and shortness of breath at rest. Approximately 60% of respondents who experienced activity limitations sought a specialist and 50% consulted therapists.Conclusions and relevanceResults supported previous findings in terms of the LCC demographics, and provided insight into LCC impact on patients’ activities and healthcare services used in LATAM. This information is valuable to inform service planning and resource allocation in alignment with the needs of this population

Exploring long COVID condition in Latin America: Its impact on patients’ activities and associated healthcare use

"Background: Studies exploring long COVID condition (LCC) in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Further characterization of LCC patients experiencing activity limitations and their associated healthcare use is needed. This study aimed to describe LCC patients’ characteristics, its impact on activities, and associated healthcare use in Latin America (LATAM). Participants: Individuals who (cared for someone or) had COVID-19 and could read, write, and comprehend Spanish and lived in a LATAM country were invited to complete a virtual survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 and LCC symptoms, activity limitations, and healthcare use. Results: Data from 2,466 people from 16 countries in LATAM were analyzed (females = 65.9%; mean age of 39.5 ± 53.3 years). 1,178 (48%) of the respondents had LCC symptoms (≥3 months). These were more likely to have COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic, were older, had no COVID vaccines, had more comorbidities, needed supplementary oxygen, and reported significantly more COVID-19 symptoms during the infectious period. 33% of the respondents visited a primary care provider, 13% went to the emergency department, 5% were hospitalized, 21% visited a specialist, and 32% consulted ≥1 therapist for LCC symptoms mainly extreme fatigue, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle or joint pain, and shortness of breath with activity. The most consulted therapists were respiratory therapists (15%) and psychologists (14%), followed by physical therapists (13%), occupational therapists (3%), and speech pathologists (1%). One-third of LCC respondents decreased their regular activities (e.g., work, school) and 8% needed help with activities of daily living (ADLs). LCC respondents who reduced their activities reported more difficulty sleeping, chest pain with activity, depression, and problems with concentration, thinking, and memory, while those who needed help with ADLs were more likely to have difficulty walking, and shortness of breath at rest. Approximately 60% of respondents who experienced activity limitations sought a specialist and 50% consulted therapists. Conclusions and relevance: Results supported previous findings in terms of the LCC demographics, and provided insight into LCC impact on patients’ activities and healthcare services used in LATAM. This information is valuable to inform service planning and resource allocation in alignment with the needs of this population.

Assessment of Exercise Capacity in Post-COVID-19 Patients: How Is the Appropriate Test Chosen?

There is a wide range of sequelae affecting COVID-19 survivors, including impaired physical capacity. These sequelae can affect the quality of life and return to work of the active population. Therefore, one of the pillars of following-up is the evaluation of physical capacity, which can be assessed with field tests (such as the six-minute walk test, the one-minute standing test, the Chester step test, and the shuttle walking test) or laboratory tests (such as the cardiopulmonary exercise test). These tests can be performed in different contexts and have amply demonstrated their usefulness in the assessment of physical capacity both in post-COVID-19 patients and in other chronic respiratory, metabolic, cardiologic, or neurologic diseases. However, when traditional tests cannot be performed, physical function can be a good substitute, especially for assessing the effects of an intervention. For example, the Short Physical Performance Battery assessment and the Timed Up and Go assessment are widely accepted in older adults. Thus, the test should be chosen according to the characteristics of each subject

Recuperación de la frecuencia cardíaca post ejercicio en enfermos respiratorios crónicos

Las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas se asocian frecuentemente con disfunción autonómica cardíaca y esta se puede evaluar midiendo la recuperación de la frecuencia cardíaca (RFC) post ejercicio. Existen evidencias que la RFC calculada luego de un minuto de reposo después de la prueba de marcha de seis minutos (PM6M) puede predecir mortalidad y exacerbaciones agudas en pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas.El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar la recuperación de la frecuencia cardíaca al finalizar una prueba del escalón de tres minutos de duración (PE3M) en enfermos respiratorios crónicos con la obtenida al finalizar la PM6M.La PE3M se realizó sin dificultad en un consultorio de reducidas dimensiones y todos los pacientes pudieron terminarlo. Aplicando el índice de correlación de Pearson se obtuvo como resultado 0,84 al comparar la RCF al minuto de detenerse en ambas pruebas lo que muestra una buena correlación entre ellas.En el gráfico de Bland Altman, se observa que los resultados están dentro de los límites de confianza mostrando concordancia a pesar de ser una muestra pequeña de pacientes.La PE3M se realiza con facilidad en un pequeño consultorio. Los resultados de la RCF después de esta prueba son comparables a los obtenidos al finalizar la PM6M.Fil: Larrateguy, Luis Darío. Centro Privado de Medicina Respiratoria de Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Pais, Carlos Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Cardiocom; ArgentinaFil: Marroni, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Riveras, Mauricio. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Larrateguy, Santiago. Centro Privado de Medicina Respiratoria de Paraná.; Argentin

Data_Sheet_1_Exploring long COVID condition in Latin America: Its impact on patients’ activities and associated healthcare use.docx

BackgroundStudies exploring long COVID condition (LCC) in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Further characterization of LCC patients experiencing activity limitations and their associated healthcare use is needed. This study aimed to describe LCC patients’ characteristics, its impact on activities, and associated healthcare use in Latin America (LATAM).ParticipantsIndividuals who (cared for someone or) had COVID-19 and could read, write, and comprehend Spanish and lived in a LATAM country were invited to complete a virtual survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 and LCC symptoms, activity limitations, and healthcare use.ResultsData from 2,466 people from 16 countries in LATAM were analyzed (females = 65.9%; mean age of 39.5 ± 53.3 years). 1,178 (48%) of the respondents had LCC symptoms (≥3 months). These were more likely to have COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic, were older, had no COVID vaccines, had more comorbidities, needed supplementary oxygen, and reported significantly more COVID-19 symptoms during the infectious period. 33% of the respondents visited a primary care provider, 13% went to the emergency department, 5% were hospitalized, 21% visited a specialist, and 32% consulted ≥1 therapist for LCC symptoms mainly extreme fatigue, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle or joint pain, and shortness of breath with activity. The most consulted therapists were respiratory therapists (15%) and psychologists (14%), followed by physical therapists (13%), occupational therapists (3%), and speech pathologists (1%). One-third of LCC respondents decreased their regular activities (e.g., work, school) and 8% needed help with activities of daily living (ADLs). LCC respondents who reduced their activities reported more difficulty sleeping, chest pain with activity, depression, and problems with concentration, thinking, and memory, while those who needed help with ADLs were more likely to have difficulty walking, and shortness of breath at rest. Approximately 60% of respondents who experienced activity limitations sought a specialist and 50% consulted therapists.Conclusions and relevanceResults supported previous findings in terms of the LCC demographics, and provided insight into LCC impact on patients’ activities and healthcare services used in LATAM. This information is valuable to inform service planning and resource allocation in alignment with the needs of this population.</p