Can physiological network mapping reveal pathophysiological insights into emerging diseases? Lessons from COVID-19

by Cindy Xinyu Ji, Majid Sorouri, Mohammad Abdollahi, Omalbanin Paknejad, Ali R. Mani

Network physiology is a multidisciplinary field that offers a comprehensive view of the complex interactions within the human body, emphasising the critical role of organ system connectivity in health and disease. This approach has the potential to provide pathophysiological insights into complex and emerging diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of physiological network mapping in predicting outcomes for COVID-19 patients, using data from the first wave of the pandemic. Routine clinical and laboratory data from 202 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively analysed. Twenty-one physiological variables representing various organ systems were used to construct organ network connectivity through correlation analysis. Parenclitic network analysis was also employed to measure deviations in individual patients’ organ system correlations from the reference physiological interactions observed in survivors. We observed distinct features in the correlation network maps of non-survivors compared to survivors. In non-survivors, there was a significant correlation between the level of consciousness and the liver enzyme cluster, a relationship not present in the survivor group. This relationship remained significant even after adjusting for age and degree of hypoxia. Additionally, a strong correlation along the BUN–potassium axis was identified in non-survivors, suggesting varying degrees of kidney damage and impaired potassium homeostasis in non-survivors. These findings highlight the potential of network physiology as a valuable tool for uncovering complex inter-organ interactions in emerging diseases, with applications that could support clinicians, researchers, and policymakers in future epidemics.

Exploring Lay Understandings and Help-Seeking Pathways for Psychosis in the Sikh Community: A Qualitative Study in the UK

Background

Psychotic disorders are more prevalent among minority ethnic groups in the UK. However, there is no research on how the British Sikh community understands and seeks help for psychosis. The way in which a community understands the nature, causes and treatment of psychosis can impact their duration of untreated psychosis, treatment pathways, experience and engagement with mental health services, and outcomes.

Objective

To explore the lay understandings of psychosis and associated help-seeking within the Sikh community in England, and how family, religion and culture influence these perspectives

Design and setting

An exploratory qualitative design, consisting of online semistructured interviews across the UK.

Participants

30 participants, 11 men and 19 women, ages ranged from 19 to 69, who identified as Sikh.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed several common themes, including a lack of awareness and knowledge of psychosis, variety of causal beliefs held about psychosis, professional help-seeking being encouraged, religious practices regarded as helpful coping mechanisms, supernatural beliefs influencing alternative help-seeking, strong negative perceptions towards psychosis and general mental illness, the significant role of family and community, and conflicting religious and cultural beliefs.

Conclusion

Participants showed limited understanding of psychosis and mental illnesses, accompanied by widespread negative perceptions, potentially delaying help-seeking. Increasing awareness may prompt earlier help-seeking, enhancing outcomes and diminishing stigma.