Search

Background The impact of COVID-19 on physical and mental health and employment after hospitalisation with acute disease is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of COVID-19-related hospitalisation on health and employment, to identify factors associated with recovery, and to describe recovery phenotypes. Methods The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a multicentre, long-term follow-up study of adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital in the UK with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, involving an assessment between 2 and 7 months after discharge, including detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical testing. Multivariable logistic regression was done for the primary outcome of patient-perceived recovery, with age, sex, ethnicity, body-mass index, comorbidities, and severity of acute illness as covariates. A post-hoc cluster analysis of outcomes for breathlessness, fatigue, mental health, cognitive impairment, and physical performance was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach. The study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN10980107). Findings We report findings for 1077 patients discharged from hospital between March 5 and Nov 30, 2020, who underwent assessment at a median of 5·9 months (IQR 4·9–6·5) after discharge. Participants had a mean age of 58 years (SD 13); 384 (36%) were female, 710 (69%) were of white ethnicity, 288 (27%) had received mechanical ventilation, and 540 (50%) had at least two comorbidities. At follow-up, only 239 (29%) of 830 participants felt fully recovered, 158 (20%) of 806 had a new disability (assessed by the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning), and 124 (19%) of 641 experienced a health-related change in occupation. Factors associated with not recovering were female sex, middle age (40–59 years), two or more comorbidities, and more severe acute illness. The magnitude of the persistent health burden was substantial but only weakly associated with the severity of acute illness. Four clusters were identified with different severities of mental and physical health impairment (n=767): very severe (131 patients, 17%), severe (159, 21%), moderate along with cognitive impairment (127, 17%), and mild (350, 46%). Of the outcomes used in the cluster analysis, all were closely related except for cognitive impairment. Three (3%) of 113 patients in the very severe cluster, nine (7%) of 129 in the severe cluster, 36 (36%) of 99 in the moderate cluster, and 114 (43%) of 267 in the mild cluster reported feeling fully recovered. Persistently elevated serum C-reactive protein was positively associated with cluster severity. Interpretation We identified factors related to not recovering after hospital admission with COVID-19 at 6 months after discharge (eg, female sex, middle age, two or more comorbidities, and more acute severe illness), and four different recovery phenotypes. The severity of physical and mental health impairments were closely related, whereas cognitive health impairments were independent. In clinical care, a proactive approach is needed across the acute severity spectrum, with interdisciplinary working, wide access to COVID-19 holistic clinical services, and the potential to stratify care. Funding UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

BackgroundThis study assesses COVID-19 hospitalised patient demography and outcomes during wave 1 and wave 2, prior to new variants of the virus.MethodsAll patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab between 10th March 2020 and 5th July 2020 (wave 1) and 1st September 2020 and 16th November 2020 (wave 2) admitted to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust were included (n=4856), followed for 28 days.ResultsWave 2 patients were younger, more ethnically diverse, had less co-morbidities and disease presentation was milder on presentation. After matching for these factors, mortality was reduced, but without differences in intensive care admissions.ConclusionPrior to new SARS-CoV-2 variants, outcomes for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 were improving but with similar intensive care needs.

Background Ultrasonography is an emerging non-invasive bedside tool for muscle quantity/quality assessment; Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is an alternative non-invasive bedside measure of body composition, recommended for evaluation of sarcopenia in clinical practice. We set out to assess impact of position and exercise upon measures towards protocol standardisation. Methods Healthy volunteers aged 18–35 were recruited. Bilateral Anterior Thigh Thickness (BATT; rectus femoris and vastus intermedius), BATT: Subcutaneous Ratio (BATT:SCR), and rectus femoris echogenicity were measured using ultrasound and BIA was performed; 1) lying with upper body at 45° (Reclined), 2) lying fully supine at 180o (Supine), 3) sat in a chair with upper body at 90o (Sitting), and 4) after exercise Reclined. Variability of Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) by two different equations from BIA (SMM-Janssen, SMM-Sergi), phase angle, fat percentage, and total body (TBW), extracellular (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW) were assessed. Results Forty-four participants (52% female; mean 25.7 years-old (SD 5.0)) were recruited. BATT increased from Reclined to Sitting (+ 1.45 cm, 1.27–1.63), and after exercise (+ 0.51, 0.29–0.73). Echogenicity reduced from Reclined to Sitting (− 2.1, − 3.9 – -0.26). SMM-Sergi declined from Reclined to Supine (− 0.65 kg, − 1.08 – − 0.23) and after exercise (− 0.70 kg, − 1.27 – -0.14). ECW increased from Reclined to Sitting (+ 1.19 L, 0.04–2.35). There were no other statistically significant changes. Conclusion Standardisation of protocols is especially important for assessment of muscle quantity by ultrasonography; BIA measurements may also vary dependent on the equations used. Where possible, participants should be rested prior to muscle ultrasonography and BIA, and flexion of the knees should be avoided.

It is unknown whether inflammation plays a role in metabolic dysfunction on ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD). We aimed to assess the inflammatory profile in sub-Saharan African patients with KPD during the acute ketotic phase as well as during non-ketotic hyperglycemic crises. We studied 72 patients with non-autoimmune diabetes: 23 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and 49 with KPD, all admitted in hyperglycemic crisis (plasma glucose ≥250 mg/dl). The T2D and KPD groups were matched by sex, age, and Body Mass Index. KPD was sub-classified into new-onset ketotic phase (n = 34) or non-ketotic phase (n = 15). We measured TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP1-α, IL-8, MIP1-β, and VEGF in the serum of all participants. TNF-α and IL-8 were higher in participants with KPD compared to those with T2D (p = 0.02 TNF-α; p = 0.03 IL-8). TNF-α and IL-8 were also higher in the ketotic phase KPD group compared to the T2D group (p = 0.03 TNF-α; p

Binge drinking is a major public health problem that affects all age groups. Its relation to the risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes is unclear due to controversial findings in animal models and lack of studies in humans. We performed an experimental study on 10 adult volunteers (7M/3F) under the age of 40 who were occasional binge drinkers. In all participants, we performed a baseline two-hour euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp at 80 mU•m−2•min−1 at baseline for comparison with an age and sex matched control population of non-drinkers. On a second occasion, before and after ingestion of 78 g of alcohol (beer) in 2 hrs we also measured insulin sensitivity using a 15-minute short insulin tolerance test in drinkers. Blood glucose was also measured every 15 mins over 2 hours during alcohol ingestion. Volunteers were aged 27.6 ± 5.7 years, with a BMI of 23.1 ± 2.8 kg/m2, and ALAT of 24.7 ± 3.0 UI/L. Insulin sensitivity evaluated by the clamp technique was higher in occasional drinkers (M = 12.7 ± 3.4 mg•kg−1•min−1 vs. 8.0 ± 2.3 mg•kg−1•min−1 in non-drinkers, p = 0.011). Acute alcohol ingestion was associated with a non-significant trends towards improved glucose disappearance during short insulin tolerance test (KITT 2.53% ± 0.22%/min before vs. 3.11% ± 1.15%/min after; p = 0.122). Beer consumption induced a significant increase in capillary glycaemia of 78% (p = 0.001). Bingeing was associated with reduced insulin secretion (Homa-β 113.5 ± 22.7 vs. 155.4 ± 57.6; p = 0.047). Binge drinking may induce an increase in insulin sensitivity but acutely decrease insulin secretion.

Background Viruses have been considered potential triggers for the development of diabetes. This study assessed insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)-infected and uninfected sub-Saharan African people with diabetes. Methods In all, 173 people with non-autoimmune diabetes were enrolled consecutively: 124 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 49 with ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) admitted in hyperglycemic crisis. Those with KPD were further subdivided into those with new-onset ketotic-phase KPD (n = 34) or non-ketotic phase KPD (n = 15). All participants were screened for HHV8-specific antibodies and genomic DNA. Blood samples were collected for analysis of fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, and C-peptide, with insulin resistance and secretion estimated by homeostasis model assessment. Results Among the 173 diabetic participants, 88 (50.9%) were positive for HHV8 antibodies (Ac-HHV8+), including 15 (8.7%) positive for HHV8 DNA (DNA-HHV8+). The seroprevalence of HHV8 was similar between T2DM (55.6%) and KPD (61.2%) subjects. Of those with and without ketotic-phase KPD, 35.3% and 46.7% were Ac-HHV8+, respectively. Body mass index was significantly in lower DNA-HHV8+ than DNA-HHV8- subjects. Low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were significantly higher, but C-peptide and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly lower in DNA-HHV8+ than DNA-HHV8- participants. After excluding DNA-HHV8+ participants, triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in Ac-HHV8+ (n = 73) than Ac-HHV8- (n = 85) subjects. In contrast, HOMA-β was significantly higher among Ac-HHV8+ than Ac-HHV8- participants. Conclusions In the present study, HHV8 DNA positivity was associated with low insulin secretion in this sub-Saharan African diabetes population.

Viruses have been considered potential triggers for the development of diabetes. This study assessed insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)-infected and uninfected sub-Saharan African people with diabetes.In all, 173 people with non-autoimmune diabetes were enrolled consecutively: 124 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 49 with ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) admitted in hyperglycemic crisis. Those with KPD were further subdivided into those with new-onset ketotic-phase KPD (n = 34) or non-ketotic phase KPD (n = 15). All participants were screened for HHV8-specific antibodies and genomic DNA. Blood samples were collected for analysis of fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, and C-peptide, with insulin resistance and secretion estimated by homeostasis model assessment.Among the 173 diabetic participants, 88 (50.9%) were positive for HHV8 antibodies (Ac-HHV8+), including 15 (8.7%) positive for HHV8 DNA (DNA-HHV8+). The seroprevalence of HHV8 was similar between T2DM (55.6%) and KPD (61.2%) subjects. Of those with and without ketotic-phase KPD, 35.3% and 46.7% were Ac-HHV8+, respectively. Body mass index was significantly in lower DNA-HHV8+ than DNA-HHV8- subjects. Low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were significantly higher, but C-peptide and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly lower in DNA-HHV8+ than DNA-HHV8- participants. After excluding DNA-HHV8+ participants, triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in Ac-HHV8+ (n = 73) than Ac-HHV8- (n = 85) subjects. In contrast, HOMA-β was significantly higher among Ac-HHV8+ than Ac-HHV8- participants.In the present study, HHV8 DNA positivity was associated with low insulin secretion in this sub-Saharan African diabetes population.

Background Little data to guide diet prescription exists about the foods most frequently consumed in Africa. Moreover, the sauce accompanying a meal can significantly alter the metabolic effects of food. Our work was to study the influence of sauces on the metabolic effects of foofoo corn (Zea mays), one of the most commonly consumed foods in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a wide range of sauces. Methods Our study population consisted of ten healthy volunteers (five men, five women), aged from 21 to 28 years, with mean BMI of 23.9 (SD 1.9) kg/m2. The study involved seven visits of three hours each, conducted every 2 days, including one devoted to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and six visits to the consumption of each of 6 meals tested, standardized to 75 g of carbohydrate intake. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after consumption of meals for blood glucose and triglycerides levels. The glucose area under the curve of each tested meal, was used to calculate its glycemic index, using the OGTT as the reference. The accompanying sauces tested with foofoo corn were: okra sauce (Abelmoschus esculentus), the so-called yellow sauce (Elaeis guinensis), the pistachio sauce (Pistacia vera), the nkui (Triumpheta pentandra), ndolé (Vernonia amygdalima) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Results All meals had generally a low glycemic index, with a maximum of 22.59 % for okra and cabbage, followed by ndolè (20.18 %), the yellow sauce (13.10 %), pistachio sauce (11.60 %), and nkui (5.27 %). There was a difference in the effects of the diets on triglyceride levels only at 180 min (p = 0.03). Conclusion Whatever the accompanying sauce, foofoo corn has a low glycemic index. Some sauces, such as nkui give it a very low glycemic index and may be of great interest in diet prescription for patients with various metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.