Hypocalcemia is associated with adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Severe hypocalcemia in the emergency department: a retrospective cohort study of prevalence, etiology, treatment and outcome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of severe hypocalcemia in patients attending the emergency department. Symptoms, causes, treatment, and outcome of severe hypocalcemia as well as course of calcium concentrations were assessed. This retrospective case series included all adult patients with measurements of serum calcium concentrations presenting to the emergency department of the Bürgerspital Solothurn between January 01 in 2017 and December 31 in 2020. Medical record reviews were performed of all patients with severe hypocalcemia, defined by a serum calcium concentration < 1.9 mmol/L, to assess clinical presentation and management. 1265 (3.95%) patients had a serum calcium concentration of < 2.1 mmol/L of which 139 (11%) had severe hypocalcemia of < 1.9 mmol/L. 113 patients had at least one measurement of albumin. Of these, 43 (3.4%) had an albumin-corrected serum calcium < 1.9 mmol/L defining true, severe hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia was identified and documented in 35% of all cases. The mean serum calcium concentration was 1.74 ± 0.14 mmol/L. Calcium concentrations in malignancy-related hypocalcemia were similar to non-malignancy-related hypocalcemia. The main symptoms attributed to hypocalcemia were cardiac and neurologic. 12% of patients with severe hypocalcemia received intravenous and 23% oral calcium replacement. Active malignancy was the main cause of severe hypocalcemia in 28%, while in most cases, the main cause remained unclear. 41.9% of severely hypocalcemic patients reattended the emergency department for another episode of hypocalcemia within 1 year. Hypocalcemia is common in patients attending the emergency department, however, appears to be neglected frequently. The disorder is often a manifestation of severe disease, triggered by multiple causes. Calcium replacement was administered in less than half of the patients with severe hypocalcemia in this study. Due to frequent readmissions to the emergency department and a high mortality, increased awareness of the disorder and careful follow-up are desirable.

Metallomic analysis of urine from individuals with and without Covid-19 infection reveals extensive alterations in metal homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Metal ions perform important functions in the body and their concentrations in cells and tissues are tightly controlled. Alterations in metal homeostasis can occur in certain disease states including infection. In this study urinary excretion of several metals including calcium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, selenium, and zinc in Covid-19 patients (n=35) and control (n=60) individuals, spanning ages and sexes.

METHODS

Urinary samples were analysed using ICP-MS and the differences in metal concentrations between the Covid-19-infected and control groups were assessed using multivariate data analysis and univariate data analysis employing Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation, with significance set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The urinary concentrations of all metals analysed were significantly higher in the Covid-infected group (compared to controls), with the exception of copper, which was markedly reduced. The increase in calcium excretion was lower and magnesium excretion greater in Covid-19-positive individuals aged 41 or over compared to those aged 40 or lower. Whilst the increase in iron excretion was lower, and cobalt excretion greater in Covid-19-positive males compared to females.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights significant alterations in the handling of a range of metals in the body during Covid-19 infection. It also highlights both age and sex-specific differences in metal homeostasis. The results suggest an important role for copper in the body during Covid-19 infection and suggests that urinary concentrations of copper and other metals may serve as markers to predict progression of the disease.

Risk of bone fracture by using dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a network meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is linked to a heightened likelihood of experiencing fractures. It is crucial to ascertain whether medications used to lower blood sugar levels can elevate the risk of fractures. We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors (DPP-4i), and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors (SGLT-2i) on the fracture risk in patients with T2D in the real world.

Methods

A network meta-analysis conducted an inclusive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to select appropriate population-based cohort studies that investigated the risk of bone fractures of (GLP-1RA), (DPP-4i) or (SGLT-2i) in the real world. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using R software to investigate the risk of total fractures as a primary outcome among patients who used (GLP-1RAs), (SGLT-2i) or (DPP-4i) versus each other or other glucose-lowering medications (GLMs). The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were summarized overall network and for each pairwise direct and indirect comparison. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) with the P-scores was calculated for each treatment in the network meta-analysis to detect their cumulative ranking probabilities in lowering the risk of total fractures.

Results

In our NMA, we identified a set of 13 population-based cohort studies comprising a total of 1,064,952 patients. The risk of fracture was identified with the follow-up duration for each class. We found a significant decrease in the fracture risk by about 87% associated with patients who used SGLT2 inhibitors in combination with other glucose-lowering medications, followed by SGLT2 inhibitors alone by about 67%, then GLP-1 receptor agonists by about 60%, and at last DPP-4 inhibitors by about 55%.

Conclusion

Our study's collective findings suggest a significant association of the low risk of fracture with the use of SGLT2i with other GLMs combination, SGLT2i alone, GLP-1RA, and DPP-4i, respectively. This population-based analysis offers the best available evidence and might be helpful for clinicians in the decision of the most suitable T2DM treatment strategies, especially for elderly type 2 diabetic patients, as they may be safe in terms of fracture.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023448720.

Therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation on COVID-19 aggravation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aggravation remain controversial and inconclusive. To probe into this contentious issue, we performed the present meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Literature published up to June 2023 was retrieved from Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase. RCTs assessing mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation (MV), length of hospitalization (LOH), and inflammatory markers containing C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were included. 19 RCTs were involved in the analysis and were conducted subgroup analyses on the baseline COVID-19 severity and vitamin D administration.

Results

In the severity subgroup, statistically significant effects in moderate to severe group were observed in ICU admission (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23, 0.80; p = 0.008), MV (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27, 0.72; p = 0.001) and LOH (SMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.92, -0.06; p = 0.027). In the administration subgroup, effects of ICU admission (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16, 0.97; p = 0.044), MV (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07, 0.46; p = 0.000) and LOH (SMD -0.50, 95% CI -0.96, -0.04; p = 0.034) were more pronounced in patients supplied with multiple-dose vitamin D than single-dose. Although the result of mortality showed no statistically significant effect, it indicated a reduced trend (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.63, 1.12; p > 0.05). The results of inflammatory markers reached no statistical differences.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis revealed that moderate to severe COVID-19 patients supplied with multiple doses of vitamin D were less apt to need ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and have shorter hospital stays.

Association and mediation analyses among multiple metal exposure, mineralocorticoid levels, and serum ion balance in residents of northwest China

Toxic metals are vital risk factors affecting serum ion balance; however, the effect of their co-exposure on serum ions and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. We assessed the correlations of single metal and mixed metals with serum ion levels, and the mediating effects of mineralocorticoids by investigating toxic metal concentrations in the blood, as well as the levels of representative mineralocorticoids, such as deoxycorticosterone (DOC), and serum ions in 471 participants from the Dongdagou-Xinglong cohort. In the single-exposure model, sodium and chloride levels were positively correlated with arsenic, selenium, cadmium, and lead levels and negatively correlated with zinc levels, whereas potassium and iron levels and the anion gap were positively correlated with zinc levels and negatively correlated with selenium, cadmium and lead levels (all P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in the mixed exposure models considering all metals, and the major contributions of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and selenium were highlighted. Significant dose-response relationships were detected between levels of serum DOC and toxic metals and serum ions. Mediation analysis showed that serum DOC partially mediated the relationship of metals (especially mixed metals) with serum iron and anion gap by 8.3% and 8.6%, respectively. These findings suggest that single and mixed metal exposure interferes with the homeostasis of serum mineralocorticoids, which is also related to altered serum ion levels. Furthermore, serum DOC may remarkably affect toxic metal-related serum ion disturbances, providing clues for further study of health risks associated with these toxic metals.

Regional and Age-Related Variations in Blood Calcium Levels among Patients with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Despite several studies examining the relationship between calcium levels and malaria, inconsistencies and varied results remain in the literature. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between blood calcium levels and malaria severity. A systematic literature search was conducted in the Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar databases. The studies that investigated calcium levels in participants with malaria were reviewed and included for synthesis. The quality of included studies was assessed based on a standardized checklist by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. The thematic synthesis had been used for qualitative synthesis. For the quantitative synthesis, the meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect sizes for differences in calcium levels between groups of participants using a random effect model using Hedge's g as a measure of effect size. Out of the 4574 identified records, 14 studies were reviewed. The thematic synthesis across these studies noted a consistent theme: reduced calcium levels in malaria patients compared to uninfected controls. However, the meta-analysis encompassing three specific analyses-comparing calcium levels between malaria patients and controls, severe and non-severe malaria cases, and fatal cases versus survivors-showed no significant difference in calcium levels. The statistics were as follows: (1) p = 0.15, Hedge's g: -1.00, 95% CI: -2.37-0.38, I2: 98.97, 9 studies; (2) p = 0.35, Hedge's g: -0.33, 95% CI: -1.02-0.36, I2: 81.61, 3 studies; and (3) p = 0.71, Hedge's g: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.91-0.62, I2: 87.05, 3 studies. Subgroup analyses indicated that regional disparities, especially between Africa and Asia, and participant age groups may influence these outcomes. While a trend of decreased calcium levels in malaria patients was observed, the meta-analytical results suggest regional and age-related variations. Further investigations should emphasize these differences to better guide clinical management, prognostic applications, and the crafting of policies concerning malaria's metabolic effects.

[Dynamics the parameters of mineral metabolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, the impact of etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy]

The high prevalence of COVID-19 requires the research progress on the disease pathogenesis. There is a lot of data confirming the association between mineral metabolism and the severity of COVID-19.

AIM

To study the dynamics of mineral metabolism parameters in patients with a confirmed COVID-19 at the time of hospitalization and after discharge, including the impact of etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy on them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center study of 106 patients (aged ≥18 years) with clinically or laboratory confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 was carried out at the Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow. Baseline biochemical parameters, including serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), inflammatory markers, and instrumental assessment of COVID-19 severity were performed before specific immunotherapy, as well as on 3rd and 7th days of hospitalization and before discharge. Statistical analysis was performed with Statistica 13 software (StatSoft, USA).

RESULTS

On the first day, hypocalcemia (low albumin-adjusted calcium level) was detected in 40.6% of cases, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency amounted to 95.3% of cases. At the same time, secondary hyperparathyroidism was identified only in 14.2% of patients. A comparative analysis of mineral metabolism during hospitalization (between 1, 3, 7 days of hospitalization and before discharge) during baricitinib treatment revealed a statistically significant increase in albumin-adjusted calcium by the end of hospitalization (p<0.001, Friedman criterion, Bonferroni correction p0=0.01). A pairwise comparison of subgroups, depending on the therapy, revealed a statistically significantly lower level of albumin-adjusted calcium on 3rd day among patients on baricitinib monotherapy or combined with tocilizumab compared with a subgroup of patients undergoing etiotropic treatment (2.16 [2.13; 2.18] mmol/l vs 2.23 [2.19; 2.28] mmol/l, p=0.002, U-test, Bonferroni correction p0=0.012).

CONCLUSION

Patients with severe coronavirus infection are characterized by a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and hypocalcemia. Associations between calcium and saturation as well as the severity of lung lesion characterizes hypocalcemia as an important predictor of severe course and poor outcome in COVID-19. Pathogenetic therapy with baricitinib, including in combination with tocilizumab, contributes to achieve normocalcemia, but further studies are required.

Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium Abnormalities Associated with COVID-19 Infection, and Beyond

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has had a profound impact on global health, leading to a surge in research to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease. Among the various aspects under investigation, disruptions in mineral homeostasis have emerged as a critical area of interest. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence linking calcium, phosphorus and magnesium abnormalities with COVID-19 infection and explores the potential implications beyond the acute phase of the disease. Beyond the acute phase of COVID-19, evidence suggests a potential impact of these mineral abnormalities on long-term health outcomes. Persistent alterations in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk, skeletal complications and metabolic disorders, warranting continuous monitoring and management in post-COVID-19 patients.