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JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Dec 2020Extended wearing of mask, which has become a part of routine life, has led to the emergence of 'mask fatigue'. Mask fatigue is defined as the lack of energy that...
Extended wearing of mask, which has become a part of routine life, has led to the emergence of 'mask fatigue'. Mask fatigue is defined as the lack of energy that accompanies, and/or follows prolonged wearing of a mask. This communication describes the various aspects of mask fatigue, and shares pragmatic tips on its reduction. This discussion is relevant to all health care professionals and to general public to some extent, in the present scenario.
Topics: COVID-19; Fatigue; Humans; Masks
PubMed: 33475571
DOI: No ID Found -
Skinmed 2020Masks are coverings of the face that serve a variety of purposes. Throughout history, they have been used for religious ceremonies, theatric entertainment, protection of... (Review)
Review
Masks are coverings of the face that serve a variety of purposes. Throughout history, they have been used for religious ceremonies, theatric entertainment, protection of identity, and as a tool to limit the spread of infectious diseases. The development of masks in the medical setting has evolved along with our understanding of the mode of disease transmission, material science, and population health dynamics. The simple barrier face mask, surgical mask, and filtering facepiece respirator are each appropriate in different settings. Establishing evidence-based guidance behind the use of masks is essential, particularly in public health crises.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Masks; Occupational Exposure; Public Health
PubMed: 32790611
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Medical Research Jan 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the Coronaviridae family, is agent of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the Coronaviridae family, is agent of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in early December 2019 and is now considered a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the role of face mask to prevent it.
METHODS
A systematic search for English-language literature was done via PUBMED/Medline and Google Scholar up to October 2020. There was two search strategy; for airborne transmission and the role of face mask for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on a fixed and random effects model, the RR and 95% CI were used to evaluate the combined risk. This meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines.
RESULTS
After eligibility assessment, four articles with a total of 7688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The result of this meta-analysis has shown significant reduction in infection with face mask use; the pooled RR (95%CI) was 0.12 [0.06, 0.27] (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that there is association between face mask use and reduction of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 spreads primarily with contact routes and respiratory droplets, but its transmissibility has many mysteries yet and there is controversy about airborne transmission of COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33388089
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-020-00475-6 -
Expert Review of Medical Devices Nov 2022Video laryngeal masks have become alternatives to classical supraglottic airway devices in recent years. This review provides information on the background of these new... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Video laryngeal masks have become alternatives to classical supraglottic airway devices in recent years. This review provides information on the background of these new medical devices, the most popular and widely used video laryngeal masks, their advantages, disadvantages and their main applications in airway management.
AREAS COVERED
In this review, the physical differences between video laryngeal masks and second-generation laryngeal mask airways, and their properties in specific clinical settings are discussed.
EXPERT COMMENTARY
To limit airway-related morbidity, an optimal position of supraglottic airway devices must be the primary goal. Extensive research has shown that blindly inserted laryngeal mask can be malpositioned in 50% to 80% of the cases. Therefore, blind insertion should be the exception rather than the rule unlike current practice. Video laryngeal mask airways have clear advantages in routine use and in difficult airway management since they allow a vision-guided technique. Henceforth, the properties perceived in clinical practice must be endorsed with quality clinical evidence.
Topics: Humans; Laryngeal Masks; Intubation, Intratracheal; Airway Management; Research Design
PubMed: 36308748
DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2022.2142558 -
American Journal of Infection Control Jul 2021Based on the status of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is an urgent need to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect public health from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Based on the status of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is an urgent need to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect public health from COVID-19 infection.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement was consulted to report this systematic review. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of using face masks to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP (Chinese) database. There were no language restrictions. This study was registered with PROSPERO under the number CRD42020211862.
RESULTS
A total of 6 studies were included, involving 4 countries, after a total of 5,178 eligible articles were searched in databases and references. In general, wearing a mask was associated with a significantly reduced risk of COVID-19 infection (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21-0.69, I = 54.1%). For the healthcare workers group, masks were shown to have a reduced risk of infection by nearly 70%. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the conclusion that wearing a mask could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. Robust randomized trials are needed in the future to better provide evidence for these interventions.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33347937
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.007 -
American Journal of Surgery Jun 2021Facial maskings have been part of the human story since time began, and the reasons for their needs and the materials that went into their making would vary according to...
Facial maskings have been part of the human story since time began, and the reasons for their needs and the materials that went into their making would vary according to the reasons and materials available. The health-related needs took centuries to become established, but not until the germ theory of disease became recognized. The facial mask, seen as an essential defensive tool for prevention of respiratory transmitted disease continues to be the prime personal protective piece of equipment. With air-born contaminations, such as the present pandemic SARS- CoV-2 viral infestation, why would there be opposition to the use of this personal protective cover of our airways, when until an immunologic answer is available, it is the best single prevention we have. When supported with other measures, like distancing, washing and non-crowding, society would be much safer and secure, with probable less acute and drastic outcomes due to the spread of this virus.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; History, 16th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Masks
PubMed: 33745691
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.02.024 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine Mar 2021One of the main issues in the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the lack of uniformity of recommendations for the usage of face masks. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
One of the main issues in the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the lack of uniformity of recommendations for the usage of face masks.
AREAS COVERED
While Asian countries started using masks early during the epidemic, most Western countries were slow to do so. To avoid such situations, clear guidelines, need to be established, not only regarding the use of masks but also the type of mask to suit different situations. In this article, we will examine the types of masks and review the recommendations for their use based on the available evidence for each type of mask.
EXPERT OPINION
We explore future needs in research-related mask use in COVID-19 pandemic, improvements to be made in mask design, adopting guidelines for the use of masks and the psycho-social aspects of widespread and prolonged mask use.
Topics: COVID-19; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Humans; Masks; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33054448
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1838277 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Mar 2021In their article, Bundgaard and colleagues report the results of a unique randomized controlled trial of masks in the community to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. The...
In their article, Bundgaard and colleagues report the results of a unique randomized controlled trial of masks in the community to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. The trial addresses the question of personal protection to mask wearers when others are not wearing masks and not the question of the effectiveness of widespread mask wearing in reducing community transmission. The editorialists discuss the findings and their concerns about the trial design.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks
PubMed: 33205992
DOI: 10.7326/M20-7499 -
Journal of Occupational and... Jan 2022Face mask usage is one of the most effective ways to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but a mask is only useful if user compliance is high. Through anonymous surveys...
Face mask usage is one of the most effective ways to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but a mask is only useful if user compliance is high. Through anonymous surveys (n = 679), it was shown that mask discomfort is the primary source of noncompliance in mask wearing. Further, through these surveys, three critical predicting variables that dictate mask comfort were identified: air resistance, water vapor permeability, and face temperature change. To validate these predicting variables in a physiological context, experiments (n = 9) were performed to measure the respiratory rate and change in face temperature while wearing different types of three commonly used masks. Finally, using values of these predicting variables from experiments and the literature, and surveys asking users to rate the comfort of various masks, three machine learning algorithms were trained and tested to generate overall comfort scores for those masks. Although all three models performed with an accuracy of approximately 70%, the multiple linear regression model provides a simple analytical expression to predict the comfort scores for common face masks provided the input predicting variables. As face mask usage is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, the goal of this quantitative framework to predict mask comfort is hoped to improve user experience and prevent discomfort-induced noncompliance.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34747682
DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2021.2002342 -
Practical Neurology Dec 2021
Topics: Cerebellar Ataxia; Gait; Humans; Masks
PubMed: 34580138
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2021-003174