scholarly journals Olfactory evaluation in hospitalised and self-isolated patients with COVID-19: a single-centre experience on 55 cases

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140315
Author(s):  
Maja Klarendic ◽  
Eva Zupanic ◽  
Mateja Zalaznik ◽  
Dejan Georgiev ◽  
Janez Tomazic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Olfactory Impairment ◽  
And Control ◽  
Smell Loss

BackgroundSmell loss is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection. Majority of the studies that evaluated olfactory impairment in COVID-19 used questionnaires (subjective smell evaluations) and did not compare the results with objective or semiobjective measures of smell. We performed smell testing in hospitalised and self-isolated patients with COVID-19 and control participants.MethodsFifty-five COVID-19 and 44 control participants underwent smell testing, using Burghart Sniffin’ Sticks ‘Screening 12 Test’. Participants also rated their smelling capability on the numerical scale. Differences between groups and correlation between smell loss and time from acute onset of symptoms were tested, as well as correlation between results of smell test and subjective assessment of smell.ResultsHospitalised patients with COVID-19 correctly determined 6.5/12 odorants compared with 10/12 in the self-isolated and 11/12 in the control group (p<0.001). Hyposmia or anosmia were present in 87.5% of hospitalised and 29.0% of self-isolated patients (p<0.001). The correlation between subjective self-assessment and results of smell testing was non-significant in both groups of patients with COVID-19, while there was a moderate positive correlation (p=0.001, Spearman’s correlation coefficient=0.499) in control participants.ConclusionContrary to some previous reports suggesting that the presence of olfactory loss may predict milder course of disease, our study found that a vast majority of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 had prominent olfactory impairment. The absence of correlation between self-rated and objective smell evaluation in patients with COVID-19 indicates that subjective smell assessment is unreliable.

scholarly journals Predictive value of sudden olfactory loss in the diagnosis of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Haehner ◽  
Julia Draf ◽  
Sarah Dräger ◽  
Katja de With ◽  
Thomas Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Nasal Breathing ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Impairment ◽  
Testing Center ◽  
Smell Loss

AbstractIntroductionRecent reports suggest that sudden smell loss might be a symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of olfactory loss in an out-patient population who presented to a coronavirus testing center during a 2-week period and to evaluate the diagnostic value of the symptom “sudden smell loss” for screening procedures.MethodsIn this cross-sectional controlled cohort study, 500 patients who presented with symptoms of a common cold to a corona testing center and fulfilled corona testing criteria, completed a standardized diagnostic questionnaire which included the patients’ main symptoms, time course and an additional self-assessment of the patients’ current smell, taste function and nasal breathing compared to the level before onset of symptoms.ResultsOut of the 500 patients, 69 presented with olfactory loss. Twenty-two of them subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Only twelve out of the patients without olfactory loss tested positive, resulting in a frequency of 64.7% for the symptom “sudden smell loss” in COVID-19 patients. Compared to COVID-19 patients without smell loss, they were significantly younger and less severely affected. Changes in nasal airflow were significantly more pronounced in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients with olfactory complaints compared to the patients with smell loss who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. By excluding patients with a blocked nose, the symptom “sudden smell loss” can be attested a high specificity (97%) and a sensitivity of 65% with a PPV of 63% and NPV of 97% for COVID-19.ConclusionConsidering the high frequency of smell loss in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, acute olfactory impairment should be included in the WHO symptoms list and should be recognized as an early symptom of the disease. In contrast to other acute viral smell impairment, COVID-19 associated smell loss seems to be only rarely accompanied by a severely blocked nose.

scholarly journals Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Uremic Pruritus in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui-na Yan ◽  
Wei-guo Yao ◽  
Yi-jie Bao ◽  
Xiao-jing Shi ◽  
Hui Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Uremic Pruritus ◽  
Auricular Acupressure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
And Control

Background. Uremic pruritus (UP) is a common symptom in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Objective. To determine the clinical efficacy of auricular acupressure therapy on pruritus in hemodialysis patients and to explore possible underlying mechanisms.Methods. Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis at a referral medical center were recruited and assigned to intervention (n=32) and control (n=30) groups. The intervention group underwent auricular acupressure treatment three times a week for six weeks. Auricular acupressure was not applied to patients in the control group. However, tape withoutVaccariaseeds was applied to the same six auricular acupoints as the intervention group. Pruritus scores were assessed using VAS scores, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure levels of other possible contributory biochemical factors.Results. There was a significant difference in mean VAS scores between the postintervention and control groups during follow-up (3.844 ± 1.687 versus 5.567 ± 2.285,F=22.32,P<0.0001). Compared to the control group, serum histamine levels in the postintervention group at the six-week follow-up had decreased significantly (F=5.01,P=0.0290).Conclusion. Our findings suggest that auricular acupressure may be a useful treatment in the multidisciplinary management of UP in ESRD patients.

scholarly journals Psychodiagnostics of suicide

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
G. K. Dzub ◽  
V. A. Protzyc ◽  
V. A. Protzyc
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Suicidal Attempts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Control

An original hypothesis for the detection of suicidal readiness has been proposed: the dissociation between low self-esteem of personal qualitiesand high level of claims in behavior exists in all types of suicides. The main point is that suicide occurs in a situation where environmental conditions are appear to be completely incompatible with a person’s self-esteem; preserving the personality then the protective adaptive response of the personality is accomplished in the most radical way – self-destruction. Therefore, to detect readiness for suicide, you can use the methods of experimental psychological (psychodiagnostic) research. These are methods of self-assessment of a situation, that is, a tests assessing one's own merits and determining the level of claims in behavior. Discrepancies in the performance of these tests will reflect the degree of readiness for suicide. Confirmation has been obtained through clinical and experimental psychological research. On the material of 240 subjects, the modified methods of Dembo – Rubinstein and Hoppe were used. The main group consisted of 160 persons who committed suicidal attempts, of which 98 women and 62 men, average age (41.0 ± 9.7) years, including 86 with depressive disorders, 46 with neurotic disorders and 28 mentally healthy. In the control group there were 80 healthy individuals who did not commit suicidal attempts, with identical gender balance, average age and social status. The modification of the methods was that the results were presented in quantitative terms in points. In the main group, the dissociation indicators between the high level of claims and low self-esteem according to the methods of Dembo – Rubinstein and F. Hoppe were 46.8 ± 4.6, and in the control group – 27.00 ± 5.24 (P < 0,001). The difference between dissociation in the main and control groups is very significant (P < 0,0005), a score of 40–45 points indicates a suicidal risk, and 50–55 and more confidently point to the upcoming suicide attempt. As a result, the hypothesis is confirmed and a valid method of predicting suicide or assessing the degree of its risk arises; the method is suitable for practical use.

scholarly journals Triple-Blinded Randomized Study to Evaluate the Effect of Acetaminophen and Morphine Sulfate on Pain Relief in MI-patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein Bakhshaei ◽  
Shahram Homayounfar ◽  
Behzad Roozbahani ◽  
Melika Malekpour ◽  
Maryam Farhadian
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cardiac Performance ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Morphine Sulfate ◽  
Morphine Sulphate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Background: Myocardial infarction is considered to be the most common symptom of cardiovascular diseases. Regarding the limitation of access to Morphine sulphate as a special drug and complications followed, this study aims to compare the treatment effects of intravenous acetaminophen and morphine sulphate on the reduction of pain in MI patients and to improve the cardiac performance. Methods: The present study is a triple-blind randomized control trial in which 70 patients were divided into two separated groups and the pain was measured using Visual Analogue Scale. All analysis was done using SPSS Software at the significance level of 5 percent. Results: 42 patients were male (60%) of whom 20 were in case group and 22 in control group. There were no significant difference between intervention group and control group in terms of VAS score (p = 0.520). The index change of VAS over the time was statistically significant (p=0.001) in intervention and control groups (intra group change). The results of variance analysis with repeated measurements showed that mean differences of Ejection Fraction over time in both groups of intervention and control was not statistically significant (p=0.28). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that although Acetaminophen does not have an improved effect on pain control and cardiac performance than Morphine sulphate, it can be still an appropriate alternative for Morphine sulfate due to the lack of destructive effects and its availability.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Sleep Quality and Pain Management in Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-213
Author(s):  
Marie Abdolghaderi ◽  
◽  
Mohammad Narimani ◽  
Akbar Atadokht ◽  
Abbas Abolghasemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Behavior Therapy ◽  
Dialectical Behavior Therapy ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Background: Pain can interfere with the daily functioning of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Furthermore, sleep disturbance is a common symptom of MS. The dialectical behavior therapy program is presented as a detailed structured treatment program that was demonstrated that has effects on the treatment of psychosomatic disorders such as pain and sleep disorders. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy on sleep quality and pain management in patients with MS. Materials & Methods: This research has been carried out as a quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest, and a control group. A total of 24 people were selected through a convenient sampling method from the patients of the MS-Society of Guilan Province, Iran. Then, they are randomly divided into 2 equal groups (experimental and control). The study data were collected through Pittsburgh sleep quality scale and pain self-efficacy questionnaires. The intervention process was performed for the experimental group as 8 training sessions of 90 minutes long. The obtained data were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance and multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS v. 24. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of pain management (F=4.04) and sleep quality (F=5.64) (P<0.05) and dialectical behavior therapy had a significant statistical effect on sleep quality and pain management. Conclusion: Based on these findings, dialectical behavior therapy can be used to improve the quality of sleep and manage pain in patients with MS.

scholarly journals Perception of emotions as a predictor of social functioning and the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-185
Author(s):  
Branko Ristić ◽  
Borjanka Batinić
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Perception Of Emotions ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: Perception of emotions is an important aspect of social functioning and the quality of life, and its deficit has been consistently found in people with schizophrenia. Aim: To obtain better understanding of the relationship and predictability between the perception of emotions, social functioning and the quality of life in people with schizophrenia. Method: The sample comprised 64 respondents (the clinical and the control group consisting of 32 subjects each, equal in terms of gender, age and education). Perception of emotions was measured using the test of speed and accuracy of perception of facial expression, while social functioning and the quality of life were measured via self-assessment questionnaires. The research was exploratory and non-experimental correlational. Results: In both the clinical and control groups, the perception of emotions is positively correlated with social functioning and the quality of life. Still, the direction of predictivity remains unclear due to the complexity of relationships. Compared to the control group, there was a deficit in the domains of perception of emotional expression, social functioning and the quality of life in the clinical group. The deficit in the perception of emotions in patients with schizophrenia is global and affects all emotions, while it is most pronounced when it comes to the emotions of surprise and anger. Conclusions: The obtained findings indicate that the understanding of the lack of functioning in people with schizophrenia should be sought, among other things, in the relation between the perception of emotions, social functioning and the quality of life in order to gain a better insight into choosing the proper line of treatment with the aim of improving the overall well-being of the patients.

scholarly journals Olfactory Cleft Opacification in COVID-19 Related Smell Loss: CT Findings and Correlation With Objective Testing

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110112
Author(s):  
Erkan Yıldız ◽  
Aydın Balcı ◽  
Okan Selendili ◽  
Selçuk Kuzu
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Sudden Loss ◽  
Olfactory Cleft ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Test ◽  
Ct Findings ◽  
Clinical Research Center ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: Besides the common symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including fever, shortness of breath, and cough, a “sudden loss of smell” has recently been added as a diagnostic symptom. The relationship between paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNS CT) and sudden loss of smell in COVID-19 was examined. Materials and Methods: Two groups were selected for the study, the COVID-19 and the control groups. The control group consisted of 40 patients who applied to our clinic with headache and therefore underwent PNS CT. The other group consisted of 40 patients with COVID-19 who were diagnosed with sudden loss of smell with the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test. Clinical and demographic characteristics, tomography results, and olfactory test scores of patients with COVID-19 loss of smell and control group patients were recorded. The relationship between CT changes in the olfactory cleft and the degree of loss of smell was evaluated. The “Opacification in the olfactory cleft” was accepted as a positive CT finding. Results: Comparison of patients with COVID-19 who had a loss of smell and the control group indicated that a significant difference was observed in terms of CT findings ( P = .022). When we evaluated the paranasal CTs obtained from our patients with loss of smell, the CT of 13 patients showed pathological findings ( P < .05). As the COVID-19 progressed (pneumonia and respiratory failure), the degree of loss of smell increased ( P < .05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the CCCRC score and the presence of PNS CT findings ( P = .0012). Conclusion: The PNS CT findings are significant in patients with COVID-19 with a loss of smell and were significantly associated with the degree of loss of smell. In patients with olfactory loss due to COVID-19, PNS CT can help in diagnosis. However, for this imaging to be diagnostic, a larger patient series is needed.

scholarly journals WHAT ABOUT USING SNIFFIN STICKS 12 SCREENING TEST TO IDENTIFY POST-COVID-19 OLFACTORY DISORDERS?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair VANDERSTEEN ◽  
Magali PAYNE ◽  
Louise Emilie DUMAS ◽  
Alexandra PLONKA ◽  
Gregoire D'ANDREA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Daily Clinical Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Sugar Intake ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Impairment

Background: Olfactory impairment is a major sequela of SARS CoV 2 infection and has a negative impact on daily life quality. Olfactory loss can be assessed in many ways but seems to be little realized in a daily clinical practice. The sniffin Sticks test12 items (SST12) can be used in quick olfactory disorders screening. Its use in a post-covid19 situation was the main objective of this work. Methodology: Consecutive patients consulting to the ENT department with post-Covid-19 olfactory loss were included. The clinical examination included an analog scale for the self-assessment of olfactory recovery (VAS), self-reported salt and sugar intake, a nasofibroscopy, the complete Sniffin Stick Test (SST) and the SST12. Results: Among the 54 patients included, based on the SST12, 14,8% (n=8) of the patients could be classified as normosmic (SST12≥11), 48,1% (n=26) as hyposmic (6< SST12<10) and 37% (n=20) as functional anosmic (SST12≤6). We report excellent and significant correlations between SST12 and SST or VAS assessments. Salt and Sugar increased intake seems significantly related to SST12 results. Conclusions: SST12 is a reliable way to screen post COVID 19 olfactory disorders could be used in a daily clinical practice and might be used to prevent bad diet habits and so cardiovascular risk.

scholarly journals Training on hearing protector insertion improves noise attenuation

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Giannella Samelli ◽  
Clayton Henrique Rocha ◽  
Patrícia Theodósio ◽  
Renata Rodrigues Moreira ◽  
Ivone Ferreira Neves-Lobo
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Noise Attenuation ◽  
Hearing Protectors ◽  
Hearing Protector ◽  
And Control ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Attenuation Values

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the efficacy of hearing protector insertion by comparing attenuation values measured by objective (MIRE) and subjective (REAT) methods in groups with and without training. Methods: The study included 80 male subjects assigned to experimental (with training) and control (without training) groups. The following procedures were performed: occupational history, objective and subjective assessment of hearing protectors. Only subjects in the experimental group received training and guidance on proper hearing protector insertion. Results: Attenuation values were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at all frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) investigated through the objective (MIRE) and subjective (REAT) methods. In addition, attenuation values in the control group were lower than those provided by the hearing protector manufacturer. Conclusion: Both objective and subjective attenuation tests demonstrated the efficacy of training on insertion of hearing protectors because the group that received training on proper hearing protection insertion exhibited higher attenuation values than the untrained group.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Play-Based Training Program on Reducing the Negative Effects of Students Abuse and Improving Their Self-Esteem

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Hisham Ali Aldmour
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a play-based program on reducing the effects of student’s abuse and to improving their self-esteem. To achieve this goal, a sample was selected and composed of 60 male and female abused students. They were divided into two groups: control group and experimental group which both consisted of 30 students. The experimental group was divided into two groups: the first consisted of 15 male students, while the second consisted of 15 female students. The measure of exposure to abuse and the self-assessment scale were applied as an anterior and posterior test of both experimental and control groups. The experimental group was only exposed to training through the training program. After completing the data collection, the means and standard deviations of the performance of the experimental and control groups were calculated on the study scales. The multivariate variance analysis was also conducted to identify the impact of the training program on gender. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences at the mean level (α ≤ 0.05) between the performance mean of experimental and control groups. These differences were in favor of the experimental group that improved their level of self-esteem and decreased the level of exposure to abuse. The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) between the female and male performance means.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document