Browsing by Author "Blomniece, Laura"

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    Gut Microbiome Differences Regarding Lifestyle and the History of COVID-19 Disease in Ulcerative Colitis Patients
    (2024-08) Straume, Zane; Krūmiņa, Nikola; Elbere, Ilze; Rozenberga, Maija; Blomniece, Laura; Erts, Renārs; Rudzīte, Dace; Kloviņš, Jānis; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Infectology
    The microbiome's role in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis is established. The influence of lifestyle on gut microbiome composition remains unclear, and interplay with COVID-19 disease warrants investigation. In a cross-sectional study conducted from June to December 2021, 49 outpatients from Rîga East Clinical University Hospital were included. Patients were categorised based on COVID-19 disease status (positive vs. negative) within the preceding six months. Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, stress levels, and dietary patterns) were assessed and evaluated. Taxonomic classification of gut microbiome metagenome data was performed using MetaPhlAn v.2.6.0, with subsequent analysis conducted using SPSS 20.0. Thirty-one (63%) were male, and 18 (37%) were female patients. Fourteen patients (28.6%) tested positive for COVID-19. Gut microbiome composition differences were not observed between COVID-19 disease groups. Twenty-four (49%) patients engaged in sports activities and 30 (61.2%) patients reported a history of smoking. No significant microbiome differences were observed in groups regarding physical activity or smoking. Thirty-five (71.4%) were alcohol users, for whom Firmicutes abundance was significantly higher compared to non-users, p = 0.041. Patients reporting lower stress levels (18, 36.7%) exhibited higher Actinobacteria abundance compared to those with higher stress levels (31, 63.3%), p = 0.03. COVID-19 disease status did not affect gut microbiome composition, alcohol consumption and stress levels demonstrated significant associations.
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    Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis During the Covid-19 Outbreak : A Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Centre in Latvia
    (2024-08-01) Straume, Zane; Krūmiņa, Nikola; Elbere, Ilze; Rozenberga, Maija; Blomniece, Laura; Erts, Renārs; Rudzīte, Dace; Kloviņš, Jānis; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Infectology
    Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have a higher risk of anxiety and depression compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether the COVID-19 outbreak influenced inflammatory bowel disease-specific quality of life. In total 49 ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients from Rîga East Clinical University Hospital were included in a cross-sectional study from June to December 2021. The patients were divided according to COVID-19 status (COVID-19 positive vs COVID-19 negative) in the last six months. Patients were interviewed and data from the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), questionnaire about daily life aspects and subjective health evaluation score were collected. Of the 49 patients, 33 (63.3%) were males and 13 (36.7%) were females; median age was 38.0 (IQR = 17) years. Fourteen patients (28.6%) were COVID-19+ within the last six months. The median SIBDQ score was 62 (IQR = 11), for men 63 (IQR = 7.5) and women 58 [(IQR = 13.8), p > 0.05. SIBDQ score was 63 (IQR = 10) for COVID-19 negative and 60 (IQR = 15.6), p > 0.05 for positive patients. Sleep was not influenced by gender, p = 0.008. Three (16.7%) female patients reported a great negative impact on working stability (p = 0.044) and a slightly negative influence on income (p = 0.039). The COVID-19 outbreak may have an influence on daily life aspects by predisposing females more negatively.