[COVID-19 in old age-The geriatric perspective]

Medical and social factors influencing the utilization of healthcare services among older adults in Israel during the COVID-19 lockdown

Background

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted older adults. However, most older communities focused on the medical issues. The aims of this study were to identify the medical and social factors linked with the usage of medical services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Israel.

Methods

The study was conducted Over two periods of time from February to April in 2019 (P1), before the COVID-19 and from February to April in 2020 (P2), during the first lockdown. The study was conducted on people aged 65 and older in Israel. The variable statistics were analyzed using frequency tabulation, cross-tabulation frequencies, and t-tests. Two hierarchical logistic regressions were conducted over four steps for each period.

Results

The participants (n = 102,303) comprised 64.5% female (65,946) and 35.5% male (36,357) (mean age 80.5, SD- 7.46). It was found that participants who had not subscribed to the supportive community services were 7.47 times more likely to access medical services in P1 and 12.417 times more likely to access medical services during the lockdown. This variable was also found to be a strong predictor in the final model. The most significant variable for predicting the participants' needs during P2 was their previous needs in P1. Other social variables were living in assisted living home and living in community settlements. The presence of 12 diseases in this study did not predict service demand.

Conclusion

Community support reduces medical service demands during disasters and provides services for older adults. During pandemics, however, social services need to be expanded and made more easily accessible to older adults.

Effectiveness of Inactivated and mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Severe Disease and Mortality in the Geriatric Population

Older age (>60 years) has been identified as the main risk factor for COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech and CoronaVac vaccines against COVID-19 infection, serious illness, and mortality in the geriatric population. We found that 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine were ineffective in protecting against COVID-19 infection in people over 65 years of age, while the vaccine efficacy (VE) of the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 was 80% (95% CI 70-87). The VE of full vaccination with BioNTech was 89% (95% CI 53-97) against hospitalization, 79% (95% CI 0-97) against death, and 79% (95% CI 0-97) against intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, the VE of full vaccination with CoronaVac was 50% (95% CI 33-63) against hospitalization, 53% (95% CI 26-70) against ICU admission, and 56% (95% CI 30-73) against death. In conclusion, we found that the mRNA vaccine has higher efficacy against severe COVID-19 infection and mortality in the geriatric population than the inactivated vaccine. Booster doses of vaccines should be considered in increasing the effectiveness of inactivated vaccines. Given the potential of SARS-CoV-2 mutations evading vaccination protection and the risk of reduced immunity over time, regular monitoring of vaccine effectiveness in the real world is critical.

General practitioner care in nursing homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a retrospective survey among nursing home managers

BACKGROUND

Though evidence on the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes is vast, research focusing on general practitioners' (GP) care during the pandemic in nursing homes is still scarce.

METHODS

A retrospective online survey among 1,010 nursing home managers in Germany was conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between November 2020 and February 2021. Associations between perceived deficits in GP care (routine and acute visits) and both general and COVID-19-related characteristics of nursing homes were analysed using multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The majority of nursing home managers reported no deficits in GP care (routine visits, 84.3%; acute visits, 92.9%). Logistic regression analyses revealed that deficits in GP care (routine visits) were significantly associated with visiting restrictions for GPs and nursing home size. Small nursing homes (1-50 residents) were significantly more likely to report deficits in GP care (routine visits) compared to medium (51-100 residents) and large nursing homes (> 100 residents). Further, deficits in GP care (acute visits) were significantly associated with dementia as a focus of care and the burden of insufficient testing for SARS-CoV-2 among residents. Moreover, visiting restrictions for GPs were significantly associated with dementia as the focus of care and the COVID-19 incidence at the federal state level. Finally, COVID-19 cases in nursing homes were significantly associated with size of nursing homes, COVID-19-incidence on the federal state level and the burden of insufficient testing capacities for SARS-CoV-2 among residents.

CONCLUSION

We found structural factors associated with GP care deficits during the pandemic. New concepts for GP care should be implemented in pandemic preparedness plans to ensure high quality, consistent, and reliable GP care as well as effective infection prevention measures in nursing homes.

Humoral immunoresponse elicited against an adenoviral-based SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine in elderly patients

The early sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome allowed for a speedy development of effective vaccines against the virus. Nevertheless, age-related immunosenescence, the inability to mount strong immune responses, still represents a major obstacle. Here, in a group of 149 elderly volunteers (70-96 years old), evolution of the humoral immune response over time to Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V), a vaccine based on heterologous recombinant adenovirus-26 (Ad26) and adenovirus-5 (Ad5) carrying the Spike genome, was analyzed by an anti-RBD ELISA. At 28 days post vaccination (dpv), a seroconversion rate of 91% was achieved, showing the importance of administering at least two doses of Gam-COVID-Vac to elicit a robust immune response, especially in elderly individuals without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, IgG specific antibodies that reached their highest titers around 28 dpv (median = 740), persisted without significant decrease after 60 dpv (median = 650). After 90 dpv, IgG titers began to drop, and at 180 dpv only 44.7% of the elderly individuals remained with detectable anti-RBD IgG antibodies. No significant differences were observed in specific humoral immune responses between genders at early times point. However, at 60 dpv anti-RBD titers were more persistent in elderly females, and only dropped at 90 dpv (p < 0.0001). As expected, the highest antibodies titers were elicited in the youngest subgroup (70-74 years). Our results show that Gam-COVID-Vac was able to deal with the ageing of the immune system, eliciting a robust immune response in an elderly cohort, which lasted approximately 90 dpv at high levels, and protected against COVID-19.

Vitamin D deficiency is Associated with Increased Risk of Delirium and Mortality among Critically Ill, Elderly Covid-19 Patients

Background and aim

Data on the associations of vitamin D levels with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among critically ill elderly patients are not conclusive and also no information is available about some outcomes such as delirium. Therefore, the current study was done to assess these associations in critically ill elderly COVID-19 patients.

Methods

In total, 310 critically ill COVID-19 patients, aged ≥ 65 years, were included in the current single center prospective study. All patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). We collected data on demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, blood pressure, comorbidities, medications, and types of mechanical ventilation at baseline (the first day of ICU admission). Patients were categorized based on serum 25(OH)D3 levels at the baseline [normal levels (>30 ng/mL), insufficiency (20–30 ng/mL), deficiency (<20 ng/mL)]. Data on delirium incidence, mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement during treatment, length of ICU and hospital admission, and re-hospitalization were recorded until 45 days after the baseline.

Results

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent among 12 % and 37 % of study participants, respectively. In terms of baseline differences, patients with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to be older, have organ failure, take propofol, need IMV, and were less likely to need face mask compared to patients with normal levels of vitamin D. A significant positive association was found between vitamin D deficiency and risk of delirium. After controlling for potential confounders, patients with vitamin D deficiency had a 54 % higher risk of delirium compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency (HR: 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.02–2.33). Such a positive association was also seen for 45-day COVID-19 mortality (HR: 3.95, 95 % CI: 1.80–8.67). Also, each 10 ng/mL increase in vitamin D levels was associated with a 45 % and 26 % lower risk of 45-day mortality (HR: 0.55, 95 % CI: 0.40–0.74) and ICU mortality due to COVID-19 (HR: 0.74, 95 % CI: 0.60–0.92), respectively. In terms of other COVID-19 outcomes including IMV requirement during treatment, prolonged hospitalization, and re-hospitalization, we found no significant association in relation to serum 25(OH)D3 levels either in crude or fully adjusted models.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of delirium and mortality among critically ill elderly COVID-19 patients.

Effects of SARS-CoV‑2 infections on inpatient mortality of geriatric patients after proximal femoral fracture surgery

BACKGROUND

The medical challenges caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) pose a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to analyze the effects of a SARS-CoV‑2 infections or disease progression on inpatient mortality of geriatric patients after proximal femoral fracture surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted in all patients with a proximal femoral fracture surgically treated in an urban regional trauma center from 01/01/2020 to 01/31/2021. According to PCR test results detecting SARS-CoV‑2, the patients were divided into two groups (SARS-CoV‑2 positive vs. SARS-CoV‑2 negative). Patient data, disease progression data, and treatment-related information were evaluated for all patients. Statistical data analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t test or non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

A total of 311 patients (women: 70.4%, age: 82.0 ± 11.0 years) were included in this study. Of these 3.9% (12/311) had a positive test result for SARS-CoV‑2. Significantly more deceased patients were found in the group tested positive for SARS-CoV‑2 (SARS-CoV‑2 positive: 41.7%, SARS-CoV‑2 negative: 5.4%, p < 0.001). In addition, the number of proximal femoral fracture associated deaths correlated with the number of positive test results performed in the Clinic. The length of stay of SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19 survivors tended to be greater than in those who were tested negative (SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19 positive: 15.6 ± 13.1 days, SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19 negative: 11.5 ± 6.5 days, p = 0.683). Furthermore, a significant difference in age was found in SARS-CoV‑2 survivors and SARS-CoV‑2 decedents (deceased: 95.5 ± 7.5 years, alive: 83.5 ± 7.3 years, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

The study was conducted before the introduction of SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination. The results therefore refer to immune naive (unvaccinated) patients. In our study, more than 40% of all patients with proximal femoral fractures who tested positive for SARS-CoV‑2 died during hospitalization. An additional, critical factor in this respect was the age of the infected patients. Nonetheless, a positive correlation was demonstrated between the mortality rate and the number of positive SARS-CoV‑2 detections. Regarding the greater length of stay of patients tested positive for SARS-CoV‑2, the limited transfer options (further rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility) of the infected ones can be considered as causal. Particularly the vulnerable older patients are increasingly endangered by a combination of proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV‑2.

[Making decisions in times of a pandemic : A qualitative study on perspectives of managers of long-term care facilities]

BACKGROUND

In the spring of 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic an above-average number of residents and staff in nursing homes fell ill and accounted for the highest number of incidences. Due to the pandemic, managers in nursing homes had to make new decisions on a daily basis as well as interpret and integrate decisions made by higher level authorities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim was to describe the decisions that had to be made by the managers of nursing homes in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and related consequences.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A qualitative multicentre cross-sectional design was chosen. Data collection was conducted with semi-structured telephone interviews. The recorded audio data were transcribed, analyzed using the framework analysis method and reflected in peer debriefings.

RESULTS

A total of 78 interviews were conducted in 43 nursing homes and 3 main themes with 10 subthemes emerged: decisions about social participation, decisions on quarantine and isolation and staff adjustments.

DISCUSSION

Clearer information and directives for the implementation of measures are needed, e.g. through standardized guidelines nationwide. Additionally, public health departments should play a stronger and more responsible role in a pandemic situation. The consequences of their decisions were hardly foreseeable for the managers and were marked by uncertainty. Responsibilities for and consequences of pandemic-related decisions should be further evaluated to empower managers in times of crises.

Adult patients admitted to a tertiary hospital for COVID-19 and risk factors associated with severity: a retrospective cohort study

COVID-19 is a disease whose knowledge is still under construction, high transmissibility, with no consensual treatment available to everyone. Therefore, the identification of patients at higher risk of evolving to the critical form of the disease is fundamental. The study aimed to determine risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in adults patients. This is an observational, retrospective study from a cohort of adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to a public hospital from March to August 2020, whose medical records were evaluated. For the association of possible severity predictors, a Poisson regression was used. The primary outcome was the critical form of the disease (need for admission to the Intensive Care Unit and/or invasive mechanical ventilation). We included 565 patients: mostly men; 55.5% of those who progressed to the critical form of the disease were over sixty years old. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity were the most frequent comorbidities. There were 39.8% of patients who progressed to the critical form of the disease. The hospital mortality rate was 22.1%, and that of critical patients was 46.7%. The independent factors associated with the severity of the disease were obesity [RR = 1.33 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.66; p = 0.011)], SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio ≤ 315 [RR = 2.20 (95% CI 1.79 to 2.71; p = 0.000)], C-reactive protein > 100 mg/L [RR = 1.65 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.06; p = 0.000)], and lymphocytes < 1,000/µL [RR = 1.44 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.75; p = 0.000)]. Advanced age and comorbidities were dependent factors strongly associated with the critical form of the disease.

[The different periods of COVID-19 in Germany: a descriptive analysis from January 2020 to February 2021]

The first case of coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 infection in Germany was diagnosed on 27 January 2020. To describe the pandemic course in 2020, we regarded four epidemiologically different periods and used data on COVID-19 cases from the mandatory reporting system as well as hospitalized COVID-19 cases with severe acute respiratory infection from the syndromic hospital surveillance.Period 0 covers weeks 5 to 9 of 2020, where mainly sporadic cases of younger age were observed and few regional outbreaks emerged. In total, 167 cases with mostly mild outcomes were reported. Subsequently, the first COVID-19 wave occurred in period 1 (weeks 10 to 20 of 2020) with a total of 175,013 cases throughout Germany. Increasingly, outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes were registered. Moreover, elderly cases and severe outcomes were observed more frequently. Period 2 (weeks 21 to 39 of 2020) was an interim period with more mild cases, where many cases were younger and often travel-associated. Additionally, larger trans-regional outbreaks in business settings were reported. Among the 111,790 cases, severe outcomes were less frequent than in period 1. In period 3 (week 40 of 2020 to week 8 of 2021), the second COVID-19 wave started and peaked at the end of 2020. With 2,158,013 reported cases and considerably more severe outcomes in all age groups, the second wave was substantially stronger than the first wave.Irrespective of the different periods, more elderly persons and more men were affected by severe outcomes.

[COVID-19 outbreak investigation in a geriatric palliative hospital]

BACKGROUND

During the second COVID-19 wave, a large COVID-19 outbreak happened at a 90-bed geriatric palliative care hospital in December 2020, whereby 32 % of the healthcare personnel (HCP) and 29 patients became infected within 23 days and 13 patients died. The bed occupancy rate dropped to 20 %. Drastically enhanced hygiene measures directly after outbreak detection could stop further nosocomial infections among patients but were less effective among HCP.

OBJECTIVE

Outbreak investigation and detection of risk factors for infection in HCP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Anonymous online survey among HCP from January and February 2021 investigating potential risk factors for PCR positive infections (poorly fitting FFP2 masks, close contacts with positive patients, team meetings with positive HCP).

RESULTS

Of 184 HCP, 96 completed the survey (52.2 %), including 38 who became infected. Of the HCP 8 remained asymptomatic/oligosymptomatic, 30 HCP became ill for a median of 10 days and in 2 continuously. Factors associated with an infection were close contacts with positive patients in a time-dependent manner despite wearing an FFP2 mask (OR 6.0; 95 % CI 1.6-22). Out of 88 HCP 55 described poorly fitting FFP2 masks. An infection was mostly attributed to a longer contact with positive, sometimes restless patients. The overall exhausting working situation was repeatedly mentioned.

CONCLUSION

A COVID outbreak within the care-intense geriatric context is challenging to control especially among HCP. Longer patient contacts and limited compliance by patients counteracts strict hygiene measures. Vulnerability of HCP and patients requires additional preventive interventions by rapidly effective vaccinations and has to be a priority for health policy.