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Postacute symptoms are not uncommon after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with pre-Omicron variants. How the Omicron variant and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccination influence the risk of postacute symptoms is less clear. We analyzed data from a nationwide Danish questionnaire study, EFTER-COVID, comprising 36 109 individuals aged ≥15 years who were tested between July 2021 and January 2022, to evaluate the associations of the Omicron variant and COVID-19 booster vaccination with postacute symptoms and new-onset general health problems 4 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Risk differences (RDs) were estimated by comparing Omicron cases with controls, comparing Omicron cases with Delta cases, and comparing Omicron cases vaccinated with 3 doses with those vaccinated with 2 doses, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, self-reported chronic diseases, Charlson comorbidity index, health-care occupation, and vaccination status. Four months after testing for SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron period, cases experienced substantial postacute symptoms and new-onset health problems in comparison with controls; the largest RD was observed for memory issues (RD = 7.4%; 95% CI, 6.4-8.3). However, risks were generally lower than those in the Delta period, particularly for dysosmia (RD = –15.0%; 95% CI, −17.0 to −13.2) and dysgeusia (RD = –11.2%; 95% CI, −13.2 to −9.5). Booster vaccination was associated with fewer postacute symptoms and new-onset health problems 4 months after Omicron infection as compared with 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vaccination granulomas are observed in 1% of all children vaccinated with an aluminium‐adsorbed vaccine. Most children with granulomas also have aluminium contact allergy (CA). CA and atopic diseases are both highly prevalent among children and may be associated. Objective: To investigate the association between vaccination granulomas and atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and rhinitis in children. Methods: We sourced a cohort of all Danish children born from 2009 to 2017 and conducted a nested case–control study, with cases defined as children with vaccination granulomas, matched to controls 1:10 on sex, socioeconomic class, gestational age and season of birth. All cases and controls were vaccinated with aluminium‐adsorbed vaccines and followed until their second birthday. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (ORs). Results: The study included 2171 cases with vaccination granulomas, and 21 710 controls. Children with a diagnosis of AD had a significantly higher risk of a vaccination granuloma (OR 1.50, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.25–1.80). No significant association was found between granulomas and asthma or rhinitis. The association between granulomas and AD was even higher in an additional sensitivity‐analysis, following the children until their fourth birthday (OR 2.71, 95% CI 2.36–3.11). Conclusion: AD was significantly associated with vaccination granulomas, but not with other atopic diseases, within both the first 2 and 4 years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reports suggest that the potential long-lasting health consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may involve persistent dysregulation of some immune populations, but the potential clinical implications are unknown. We investigated the associated risk of hospitalization due to non–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infectious diseases following the postacute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods By cross-linking data from the comprehensive Danish test and surveillance system for COVID-19 together with nationwide healthcare and demographic registers, we established a study cohort of 2 430 694 individuals aged ≥50 years, from 1 January 2021 to 10 December 2022, with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to study entry. Using Poisson regression, we compared the outcome rates of non-COVID-19 infectious disease hospitalizations following the acute phase of (a first) SARS-CoV-2 infection (defined as ≥29 days since the day of infection) in recovered individuals with rates among SARS-CoV-2–uninfected individuals. Results Among 2 430 694 included individuals (mean age, 66.8 [standard deviation, 11.3] years), 930 071 acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection during follow-up totaling 4 519 913 person-years. The postacute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]:.88–.92) for any infectious disease hospitalization. Findings (IRR [95% CI]) were similar for upper respiratory tract (1.08 [.97–1.20]), lower respiratory tract (0.90 [.87–.93]), influenza (1.04 [.94–1.15]), gastrointestinal (1.28 [.78–2.09]), skin (0.98 [.93–1.03]), urinary tract (1.01 [.96–1.08]), certain invasive bacterial (0.96 [.91–1.01]), and other (0.96 [.92–1.00]) infectious disease hospitalizations and in subgroups. Conclusions Our study does not support an increased susceptibility to non-COVID-19 infectious disease hospitalization following SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many individuals who refuse COVID-19 vaccination have concerns about long-term side effects. Here, we report findings on self-reported symptoms from a Danish survey- and register study. The study included 34,868 vaccinated primary course recipients, 95.8% of whom received mRNA vaccines, and 1,568 unvaccinated individuals. Participants had no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using g-computation on logistic regression, risk differences (RDs) for symptoms between vaccinated and unvaccinated persons were estimated with adjustments for possible confounders. Within six weeks after vaccination, higher risks were observed for physical exhaustion (RD 4.9%, 95% CI 1.1% to 8.4%), fever or chills (RD 4.4%, 95% CI 2.1% to 6.7%), and muscle/joint pain (RD 7.0%, 95% CI 3.1% to 10.7%), compared to unvaccinated individuals. Beyond twenty-six weeks, risks were higher among the vaccinated for sleeping problems (RD 3.0, 95% 0.2 to 5.8), fever or chills (RD 2.0, 95% CI 0.4 to 3.6), reduced/altered taste (RD 1.2, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.3) and shortness of breath (RD 2.6, 95% CI 0.9 to 4.0). However, when examining pre-omicron responses only, the difference for reduced/altered taste was significant. As expected, the risk of experiencing physical exhaustion, fever or chills, and muscle/joint pain was higher among persons who responded within six weeks of completing the primary course. No significant differences were observed for the 7-25-week period after vaccination. Associations for the period beyond 26 weeks must be interpreted with caution and in the context of undetected SARS-CoV-2 infection, wide confidence intervals, and multiple testing. Overall, we observe no concerning signs of long-term self-reported physical, cognitive, or fatigue symptoms after vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyponatremia is a known adverse effect of thiazide antihypertensive medications, but its frequency is uncertain and believed to be very uncommon to rare. This population-based study emulates a target trial to characterize the incidence of hyponatremia after treatment initiation with thiazide medication compared with nonthiazide alternatives. Visual Abstract. Cumulative Incidence of Thiazide-Induced Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is a known adverse effect of thiazide antihypertensive medications, but its frequency is uncertain and believed to be very uncommon to rare. This population-based study emulates a target trial to characterize the incidence of hyponatremia after treatment initiation with thiazide medication compared with nonthiazide alternatives. Background: According to drug labels, the frequency of thiazide-induced hyponatremia is unknown or uncommon to very rare (that is, <1 in 10 000 to <1 in 100), but the exact burden remains unclear. Objective: To estimate the increase in the cumulative incidence of hyponatremia using thiazide diuretics compared with nonthiazide antihypertensive drugs in routine clinical practice. Design: Population and register-based cohort study using target trial emulation. Setting: Denmark, 1 January 2014 to 31 October 2018. Participants: Two target trials were emulated among persons aged 40 years or older who had no recent prescription for any antihypertensive drug, had no previous hyponatremia, and were eligible for the studied antihypertensive treatments. The first target trial emulation compared new use of bendroflumethiazide (BFZ) versus a calcium-channel blocker (CCB). The second target trial emulation compared new use of hydrochlorothiazide plus a renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (HCTZ–RASi; that is, combination pill) versus a RASi alone. Measurements: Two-year cumulative incidences of sodium levels less than 130 mmol/L using stabilized inverse probability of treatment–weighted survival curves. Results: The study compared 37 786 new users of BFZ with 44 963 of a CCB and 11 943 new users of HCTZ–RASi with 85 784 of a RASi. The 2-year cumulative incidences of hyponatremia were 3.83% for BFZ and 3.51% for HCTZ–RASi. The risk differences were 1.35% (95% CI, 1.04% to 1.66%) between BFZ and CCB and 1.38% (CI, 1.01% to 1.75%) between HCTZ–RASi and RASi; risk differences were higher with older age and higher comorbidity burden. The respective hazard ratios were 3.56 (CI, 2.76 to 4.60) and 4.25 (CI, 3.23 to 5.59) during the first 30 days since treatment initiation and 1.26 (CI, 1.09 to 1.46) and 1.29 (CI, 1.05 to 1.58) after 1 year. Limitation: The study assumed that filled prescriptions equaled drug use, and residual confounding is likely. Conclusion: Treatment initiation with thiazide diuretics suggests a more substantial excess risk for hyponatremia, particularly during the first months of treatment, than indicated by drug labeling. Primary Funding Source: Independent Research Fund Denmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-acute sick leave is an underexplored indicator of the societal burden of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report findings about self-reported sick leave and risk factors thereof from a hybrid survey and register study, which include 37,482 RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and 51,336 test-negative controls who were tested during the index- and alpha-dominant waves. We observe that an additional 33 individuals per 1000 took substantial sick leave following acute infection compared to persons with no known history of infection, where substantial sick leave is defined as >1 month of sick leave within the period 1–9 months after the RT-PCR test date. Being female, 50–65 years, or having certain pre-existing health conditions such as obesity, chronic lung diseases, and fibromyalgia each increase risk for taking substantial sick leave. Altogether, these results may help motivate improved diagnostic and treatment options for persons living with post-Covid conditions. Authors utilise a questionnaire-based approach to survey self-reported, post-acute sick leave and risk factors in cases of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between XBB.1.5-containing vaccines administered as a fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose and the risk of 28 adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]