Promoting a Syndemic Approach for Cardiometabolic Disease Management During COVID-19: The CAPISCO International Expert Panel

Abstract

Efforts in the fight against COVID-19 are achieving success in many parts of the world, although progress remains slow in other regions. We believe that a syndemic approach needs to be adopted to address this pandemic given the strong apparent interplay between COVID-19, its related complications, and the socio-structural environment. We have assembled an international, multidisciplinary group of researchers and clinical practitioners to promote a novel syndemic approach to COVID-19: the CArdiometabolic Panel of International experts on Syndemic COvid-19 (CAPISCO). This geographically diverse group aims to facilitate collaborative-networking and scientific exchanges between researchers and clinicians facing a multitude of challenges on different continents during the pandemic. In the present article we present our “manifesto”, with the intent to provide evidence-based guidance to the global medical and scientific community for better management of patients both during and after the current pandemic.

Atherosclerosis Development and Progression: The Role of Atherogenic Small, Dense LDL

“…Overall, sdLDL represents a novel critical biomarker, which can help to identify individuals at higher risk for the development of CVD, who would benefit from more intensive preventive and therapeutical measures, in order to reduce their residual risk to undergo major cardiovascular events (Figure 3). This is of greater importance now due to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, since it has been noticed in many geographical areas a significant increase of CVD and related mortality [78]. Insights and learnings from such experience can guide us for a better management of CVD risk [79] and applying in clinical practice the best available tools for proper risk prevention, such as the measurement of sdLDL.…”

Correlations between Diabetes Mellitus Self-Care Activities and Glycaemic Control in the Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on Romanian society [ 35 ]; this has important implications for patients with DM, because the DSMQ was negatively influenced by the pandemic in other studies [ 36 ]. Patients with DM are among the most vulnerable to severity and mortality from COVID-19 [ 37 ] and are experiencing challenges in accessing healthcare facilities and clinic visits; this is contributing to the increase in their cardiometabolic complications [ 38 ]. The role of the SCA and the DSMQ assessment in achieving tight glycaemic control under these circumstances is, therefore, of increased significance.…”

A New Look at Novel Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers: The Role of Atherogenic Lipoproteins and Innovative Antidiabetic Therapies

“…This emphasizes the need for further research in the field in order to clearly assess the effects of innovative treatments on different novel biomarkers, including atherogenic lipoproteins, such as small dense LDL, Lp(a) and dysfunctional HDL. This is particularly important during the current coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic since a higher number of cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction, have been reported [86]. Insights and learnings from recent experience can help us to guide future management [87], offering to our patients the best available options for proper reduction of cardiovascular risk.…”