Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic

Dos decenios de actividad universitaria en economía social, cooperativismo y emprendimiento desde el Instituto Universitario IUDESCOOP

Durante las últimas dos décadas, el Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Economía Social, Emprendimiento y Cooperativismo IUDESCOOP ha desarrollado una intensa actividad de promoción y avance de los modelos económicos que fomentan la igualdad social, la democracia, la solidaridad y la sostenibilidad. Fundado con unos valores y una visión clara, este centro ha cultivado un ambiente propicio para la investigación y la enseñanza en el ámbito de las cooperativas y la economía social. El IUDESCOOP, gracias a la implicación de las más de treinta personas que lo han impulsado, ha logrado consolidarse como un referente en la investigación sobre estas áreas cruciales, generando conocimientos relevantes que han influido en políticas públicas, legislaciones y estrategias empresariales orientadas hacia un enfoque más humano y participativo. Además, su compromiso con la docencia ha sido continuo, formando a profesionales y líderes comprometidos con la promoción de modelos económicos más justos y centrados en las personas. También ha fomentado colaboraciones interdisciplinarias y establecido alianzas estratégicas con otras universidades e instituciones académicas, organizaciones gubernamentales y entidades del ámbito de la economía social, consolidando así un legado de impacto positivo en la sociedad. Tras una necesaria introducción que relata la trayectoria de esta institución universitaria, la presente obra contiene más de treinta contribuciones versadas sobre temas muy diversos pero de plena actualidad, realizadas por miembros del IUDESCOOP, por otros profesores tanto de la Universitat de València como de otras universidades, así como personas, expertas y activistas de la economía social, tanto del sector cooperativo y de la economía social como de las administraciones públicas, que han tejido fuertes vínculos con el proyecto del IUDESCOOP. Todos ellos presentan en común la vocación por generar conocimiento para un futuro con mayor prosperidad inclusiva y sostenible.S5428000 Generalitat ValencianaDuring the last two decades, the University Institute of Research in Social Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Cooperativism (IUDESCOOP) has engaged in an intense promotion and advancement of economic models that foster social equality, democracy, solidarity, and sustainability. Founded with clear values and vision, this center has nurtured an environment conducive to research and education in the field of cooperatives and social economy. Thanks to the dedication of over thirty individuals who have driven its mission, IUDESCOOP has established itself as a reference in research on these crucial areas, generating relevant knowledge that has influenced public policies, legislations, and business strategies oriented towards a more humane and participatory approach. Additionally, its commitment to education has been continuous, shaping professionals and leaders dedicated to promoting fairer economic models focused on people. It has also encouraged interdisciplinary collaborations and formed strategic alliances with other universities, academic institutions, government organizations, and entities in the social economy domain, thus solidifying a legacy of positive impact on society. Following a necessary introduction narrating the trajectory of this university institution, this work comprises over thirty contributions covering diverse and highly relevant topics. These contributions are authored by members of IUDESCOOP, other professors from both the University of Valencia and other universities, as well as experts and activists in the social economy sector, including cooperatives, social economy, and public administrations. They all share a common commitment to generating knowledge for a future characterized by greater inclusive and sustainable prosperit

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic