COVID-19

A study examining the COVID-19 pandemic finds that substance use declined substantially across nearly all categories in 2018-2019 vs 2020 among youth and young adults.

Using data from nearly 2 million US patients with a documented COVID-19 infection, a new study provides an overview of the impact of vaccination, both full and partial, on risk of MACE following infection.

An analysis of data from more than 20,000 adults with a documented COVID-19 infection from Los Angeles, CA has brought forth results the investigators suggest prove the association between COVID-19 infection and increased risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of vaccination status.

The positivity rate of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses decreased briefly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but by fall of 2020 resumed almost to pre-pandemic levels.

The mRNA vaccines BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) showed no risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome post-vaccination.

Older age and use of various medications, including antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and corticosteroids were associated with a higher risk of developing C difficile infections.

A recent research letter identified a correlation between mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 and cases of chronic spontaneous urticaria, although the connection requires further study.

New data from the AHA 2023 Statistical Update suggest more people died from cardiovascular-related causes in 2020 than in any year since 2003.

An FDA panel voted unanimously this week to support harmonizing an annual primary and booster dose, moving public health strategies to reflect the endemic course of COVID-19.

A new review shows a majority of COVID-19 randomized, controlled trial preprints have been published with changes to the components of the original findings.

SARS-CoV-2 infections cause microbiome dysbiosis in patient and possibly an increase in opportunistic pathogens and a decrease in beneficial bacteria.

“Repurposing approved drugs developed for other conditions presents an attractive strategy to identify new treatment options and expand access to potentially lifesaving care,” investigators wrote.

Patients with COVID-19 and CDI had a higher incidence of sepsis, shock, ICU admission, and acute kidney injuries.

Patients with mild infection are not at particular risk for severe, chronic outcomes from long Covid, according to new Israel data.

Gut microbiota diversity was lower in below average responders, while 39.5% of participants had a serological response below the geometric mean.

New data support following existing guidelines for mechanical ventilation in pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2, as mortality rates are similar regardless of cause for pneumonia.

“Although the evolution of COVID-19 is favorable worldwide, multiple variables related to psychological health and the response to stressors seem to have triggered symptomatologic responses in fibromyalgia patients,” investigators stated.

New longitudinal data support bolstered use of booster doses among health care workers in US nursing homes.

This novel concept can benefit patients and clinicians alike by appropriately applying new technologies to identify bacteria more efficiently and decrease the time to optimal therapy.

Meta-analysis data show female, Black and Asian participants are generally underrepresented across studies assessing COVID-19 prevention or treatment strategies.

The indication makes tocilizumab the first monoclonal antibody to be granted full FDA approval to treat the pandemic virus.

New surveillance data from the 2021-22 influenza show the impact of coinfection among younger patients.

Almost 4 years since the beginning of the pandemic, continuous research efforts have begun to paint a better picture of the impact the virus has on the brain and the central nervous system.

The investigators also found an increase in the proportions of monthly hospitalizations during the pandemic for a number of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and suicidality or self-injury.

There was also higher neutralizing antibody titers against BA.4/5 with a lower hazard risk in the group with a breakthrough infection.

Wendy Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP; Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD; and Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc; review what encompasses a bivalent vaccine and give their perspective on how to communicate the role of the vaccine in optimizing protection for patients.

Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc, leads a discussion on the constant evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the impact on vaccine and booster shot development and administration.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD; Wendy Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP; and Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP, examine the efficacy and real-world implications of the COVID-19 booster shot in terms of vaccination protection rates.

Wendy Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, leads a discussion on the challenges subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 present in terms of vaccination and approaching optimal communication to the public surrounding vaccination.

National deaths from heart disease spiked in 2020 in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, after an observed steady decline from 2010 to 2019.