Monthly Archives: April 2020

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Why psychiatric treatment must not be neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic [Originally published in Braz. J. Psychiatry]

In the current crisis, mental health actions should not be forgotten or postponed. As highlighted by Silva et al., these actions include behavioral measures to facilitate social distance, identifying cognitive mechanisms and decision styles that can increase risk exposure, as well as the mental health care of professionals who deal directly with the consequences of the pandemic. Moreover, care must be prioritized for psychiatric patients, who, due to stress, are at considerable risk of clinical worsening. Available in English. Read More →

Chest CT accuracy in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: initial experience in a cancer center [Originally published in Radiol Bras]

CT has a high accuracy for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Different interpretation criteria can provide either high sensitivity or high specificity. CT should be integrated as a triage test in resource-constrained environments during the pandemic to assist in the optimization of PCR-tests, isolation beds and intensive care units. Available in English. Read More →

The halo sign as a chest computed tomography finding of COVID-19 [Originally published in Einsten, vol. 18]

Although the halo sign constitutes a CT finding with large differential diagnosis and it is rarely found in pneumonias caused by SARS-CoV-2, this CT sign in individuals under COVID-19 investigation can help in this disease diagnosis and management, particularly during the current pandemic. Read More →

Como a Estratégia de Saúde da Família pode ser considerada ferramenta de apoio no combate ao COVID-19?

Os profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família fazem a busca ativa na comunidade de possíveis casos de síndrome gripal e buscam a prevenção e o isolamento, conforme manuais de órgãos nacionais e internacionais, além de realizar acompanhamento de cada caso e a evolução, tendo como principal função, nessa atual pandemia, a de rastrear novos casos de síndrome gripal, casos suspeitos ou positivos para COVID-19, isolar esses usuários em domicílio, realizar acompanhamento domiciliar e orientações aos familiares e dos cuidadores. Disponível em português. Read More →

Germany’s ‘coronavirus anomaly’: Statistical evidence that early mass testing leads to low mortality rates

We compare the countries’ mortality rates with their respective number of tests as a function of the time since the first death. Our analysis shows that countries that either delayed mass testing, such as Italy, or have not fully adopted it, such as France and the UK, have had much higher mortality rates than Germany, which has adopted a policy of wide and early testing. Conversely, countries that have followed Germany’s example, such as Portugal, have so far had comparatively low mortality rates. Available in English. Read More →

Symptoms of Anxiety and depression during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Paraguay

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be stressful for some people. Fear and anxiety regarding illness can be overwhelming and generate strong emotions in both adults and children. For all the above research question arises as to determine the symptoms of anxiety and depression during the isolation period the outbreak of COVID-19 in Paraguay. Available in English. Read More →

Considerations on the mental health impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19)

This outbreak is causing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, denial, anger and fear. These mental health problems affect the patients and the general population and also have impact on the attention, understanding and decision-making capacity of medical staff , which could hinder the fight against COVID-19, but they could also have a lasting effect on their overall well-being. Available in English. Read More →

Fair allocation of scarce medical resources during COVID-19 pandemic: ethical considerations [Originally published in Einsten, vol. 18]

Thus, considering the imminent risk of unavailability of intensive care beds and respirators for all individuals, affected or not by the disease, it is essential to establish clinical, technical and ethical criteria for the best use of them, to enhance results and generate the best possible benefits. Read More →

Infodemia, Fake News and Medicine: Science and The Quest for Truth [Originally published in Int. J. Cardiovasc. Sci.]

In the past, news was produced and distributed by a few organizations or private companies, but today, in the Internet and social media age, anyone can broadcast news online. Fake news is better defined as deliberate false information spread via social or conventional media. Fake medical news can mislead in order to damage an organization and/or a person. Another problematic consequence of a fake medical report is to make profits with some specific food, supplement or treatment. Available in English. Read More →

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare professionals [Originally published in Cad. Saúde Pública, vol.36 no.4]

Besides the biological context, and due to the wide and longlasting changes in daily life it may cause, coping with it represents a challenge to psychological resilience. Previous studies have shown that epidemics and contamination outbreaks of diseases have been followed by drastic individual and social psychosocial impacts, which eventually become more pervasive than the epidemic itself. Available in English. Read More →

Coronavirus: a clinical update of Covid-19 [Originally published in Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras., vol.66 no.2]

A COVID-19 pandemic decreed by WHO has raised greater awareness of it. The infection reached the mark of 350,000 patients in 33 countries and affected as comorbidities the presence of comorbidities and advanced age. Available in English. Read More →

Violence against women, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: overview, contributing factors, and mitigating measures [Originally published in Cad. Saúde Pública, vol.36 no.4]

In Brazil, according to data from the 180 Hotline provided by the Ministry for Women, Family, and Human Rights, there was a 17% increase in the number of calls denouncing violence against women in the month of March 2020, when the recommendation for social distancing first issued in the country. Read More →

Is Brazil prepared for the new era of infectious disease epidemics? [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. vol. 53]

In Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS) plays the main role in the preparation of the country for this new era. SUS has been acting in the response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) even before the identification of the first case in Latin America, with the declaration of national public health emergency. Available in English. Read More →

Recommendations from the Sociedade Portuguesa de Cuidados Intensivos and Infection & Sepsis Group for intensive care approach to COVID-19 [Originally published in Rev. bras. ter. intensiva, vol. 32 no. 1]

Most of the infected patients present with mild symptoms, not requiring hospitalization. Among those admitted to the hospital, 6% to 10% require admission to the intensive care unit. These recommendations are aimed to support the organization of intensive care services to respond COVID-19, providing optimized care to the patient and protection for healthcare professionals. Read More →

Stress, anxiety, and depression levels in the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in a population sample in the northern Spain [Originally published in Cad. Saúde Pública, vol.36 no.4]

The current study was conducted in the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. The authors analyzed stress, anxiety, and depression with the arrival of the virus and the levels of symptoms according to age, comorbidity, and confinement. Read More →