Clinical Presentation, Course, and Risk Factors Associated with Mortality in a Severe Outbreak of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, USA, April-June 2020

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients treated in emergency COVID-19 hospitals in Vietnam: Experience from Phutho province, Vietnam

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, patient's management approaches, and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study of 2166 COVID-19 patients in 13 hospitals in Phutho Province, Vietnam. The subjects were divided into 3 groups based on vaccination status: unvaccinated group, 1st dose of vaccine group, 2nd dose of vaccine group. The clinical characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes were collected and compared between the 3 groups. Results: The hospitalization rate of the 3 groups decreased from the unvaccinated group, the 1st dose of vaccinated group, to the 2nd dose of vaccinated group, 42.61%; 30,24% and 27,15% respectively. The 19-40 years old group had the highest hospitalization rate (38,1%) together with the group that had not accepted the full COVID 19 vaccination dose (57,64%). The 2nd dose of vaccinated group had the lowest percentages of high temperature, cough, dyspnea, chest pain and sore throat. The unvaccinated group had the highest heart rate, respiratory rate and SpO2 compared to the two other groups. The percentage needing Immunomodulation and Anticoagulant Therapy was highest (6.8% and 1.4 % respectively) in the unvaccinated group. The percentage receiving Antiviral Therapy was highest (42,5%) in those who had received the 2nd dose of vaccine. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination improved the symptoms of the patients and should be accepted in all ages.

Nursing Home Residents' COVID-19 Infections in the United States: A Systematic Review of Personal and Contextual Factors

Background: This mixed methods systemic review synthesizes the evidence about nursing home risks for COVID-19 infections. Methods: Four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Sage Journals Online) were searched between January 2020 and October 2022. Inclusion criteria were studies reported on nursing home COVID-19 infection risks by geography, demography, type of nursing home, staffing and resident's health, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the levels of evidence for quality, and a narrative synthesis for reporting the findings by theme. Results: Of 579 initial articles, 48 were included in the review. Findings suggest that highly populated counties and urban locations had a higher likelihood of COVID-19 infections. Larger nursing homes with a low percentage of fully vaccinated residents also had increased risks for COVID-19 infections than smaller nursing homes. Residents with advanced age, of racial minority, and those with chronic illnesses were at higher risk for COVID-19 infections. Discussion and implications: Findings suggest that along with known risk factors for COVID-19 infections, geographic and resident demographics are also important preventive care considerations. Access to COVID-19 vaccinations for vulnerable residents should be a priority.

Impact of COVID-19 in individuals with and without pre-existent digestive disorders with a particular focus on elderly patients

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has several extrapulmonary symptoms. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are among the most frequent clinical manifestations of COVID-19, with severe consequences reported in elderly patients. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 on patients with pre-existing digestive diseases still needs to be fully elucidated, particularly in the older population. This review aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the GI tract, liver, and pancreas in individuals with and without previous digestive diseases, with a particular focus on the elderly, highlighting the distinctive characteristics observed in this population. Finally, the effectiveness and adverse events of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination in patients with digestive disorders and the peculiarities found in the elderly are discussed.

Clinical expressions, characteristics and treatments of confirmed COVID-19 in nursing home residents: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a high rate of infections, frequent outbreaks, and high mortality rates in nursing homes (NH) worldwide. To protect and improve the treatment and care of the vulnerable NH population, it is pivotal to systematise and synthesise data from cases of COVID-19 among NH residents. In our systematic review, we therefore aimed to describe the clinical expressions, characteristics, and treatments of NH residents confirmed to have COVID-19.

METHODS

We conducted two comprehensive literature searches in several electronic databases: (1) PubMed, (2) CINAHL, (3) AgeLine, (4) Embase, and (5) PsycINFO in April and July 2021. Of the 438 articles screened, 19 were included in our sample, and we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale to assess the quality of the reported studies. A weighted mean (M_weighted), was calculated to account for the large variation in sample sizes of the studies, and due to heterogeneity among the studies, we report our findings in a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

According to the mean weights (M_weighted), common symptoms and signs in NH residents confirmed to have COVID-19 were fever (53.7%), cough (56.5%), hypoxia (32.3%), and delirium or confusion (31.2%). Common comorbidities were hypertension (78.6%), dementia or cognitive impairment (55.3%), and cardiovascular diseases (52.0%). Six studies presented data concerning medical and pharmacological treatments, such as inhalers, oxygen supplementation, anticoagulation, and parenteral/enteral fluids or nutrition. The treatments were used to improve outcomes, as part of palliative care, or as end-of-life treatment. Transfers to hospital for NH residents with confirmed COVID-19 were reported in six of the included studies, and the rate of hospital transfers ranged from 6.9% to 50% in this population. In the 17 studies reporting mortality, 40.2% of the NH residents died during the studies' observation periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review allowed us to summarise important clinical findings about COVID-19 among NH residents and to identify the population's risk factors for serious illness and death caused by the disease. However, the treatment and care of NH residents with severe COVID-19 warrant further investigation.

Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Follow-up of Neutralizing Antibody Levels

OBJECTIVE

To investigate neutralizing antibody levels in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at 6 and 10 months after disease onset.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected at three different time points from 27 asymptomatic individuals and 69 symptomatic patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Virus-neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 in both groups were measured and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The symptomatic and asymptomatic groups had higher neutralizing antibodies at 3 months and 1-2 months post polymerase chain reaction confirmation, respectively. However, neutralizing antibodies in both groups dropped significantly to lower levels at 6 months post-PCR confirmation.

CONCLUSION

Continued monitoring of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 is key to controlling the infection.

A qualitative exploration of the clinical presentation, trajectory, management and recovery of COVID-19 in older people: Learning from frontline staff experiences

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on older people living in care homes. This study explored the clinical trajectory and management of COVID-19, as well as recovery of older people following infection during the early stages of the pandemic (May to August 2020). A two-phase exploratory qualitative study was used. Frontline staff with experience of caring for older people with COVID-19 were recruited to Phase 1, and senior care home operational and quality managers were recruited to Phase 2. During Phase 1 remote semi-structured interviews (n = 35) were carried out with staff working in care homes, hospital and community settings in England. During Phase 2, a remote consultation event was carried out with senior care home operational and quality managers (n = 11) to share Phase 1 findings and check resonance, relevance and gaps. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Older people with COVID-19 presented with wide ranging symptoms, and an unpredictable illness trajectory. The wide range of COVID-19 symptoms required timely testing and supportive interventions. Staff used different interventions to manage symptoms and reported uncertainties of how individuals would respond. In care home settings, health and social care staff needed to work together when administering interventions such as subcutaneous fluids or oxygen therapy. Alongside symptom management, supportive care focused on nutrition and hydration, social interaction, and maintaining physical activity to meet both physical and emotional needs. The effects of prolonged periods of social isolation and inactivity on the health and well-being of older people means rehabilitation is essential to enhance physical and emotional recovery, and to minimise impacts on cognition and function. The pandemic highlighted important areas for care of this population.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN PREDICTION OF MORTALITY IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

ÖZET GİRİŞ: Çin’de 2019 Aralık ayı sonunda ortaya çıkan COVID-19 kısa sürede tüm dünyaya yayılarak Dünya Sağlık Örgütü tarafından 11 Mart 2020’de pandemi olarak kabul edilmiştir. Pandemi hala değişen varyantlarıyla ve vaka sayılarıyla güncelliğini korumaktadır. Bu çalışmada COVID-19 tanılı yatan hastalarda 1. ve 5. gün bakılan hematolojik, inflamatuvar ve biyokimyasal belirteçlerin mortaliteyi öngörmede önemini belirlemeyi amaçladık. GEREÇ ve YÖNTEM: Araştırma retrospektif ve kesitsel çalışma olarak tasarlanmıştır. Çalışmaya 1 Kasım 2020-30 Nisan 2021 tarihleri arasında Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Hastanesi’ne COVID-19 şüpheli semptomları ile başvuran COVID-19 RT-PCR testi ile tanısı doğrulanarak yatışı yapılan 18 yaş üstü 200 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların yaş, cinsiyet, eşlik eden komorbid hastalıkları, 1. ve 5. gün laboratuvar parametreleri ve sonlanım durumları kaydedildi. Hastalar taburcu ve ölen şeklinde iki gruba ayrıldı. BULGULAR: Çalışmaya alınan 200 hastanın %75’i (n=150) taburcu olan, %25’i ise (n=50) 28 gün içinde ölen hastalardan oluşmaktaydı. Hastaların %63.5 (n=127) erkek, %36.5’i (n=73) kadındı. Hastaların yaş ortalaması 63±17.2 yıldı. Hastaların %50.5’i hafif, %31’i orta, %18.5’i ise ağır klinik tabloya sahipti. COVID-19 hastalarının prognozunu etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek amacıyla lojistik regresyon analizi yapıldı. Prognoz ile ilişkili faktörler erkek cinsiyet, diyabetes mellitus, KOAH, hipertansiyon varlığı, ateş, nefes darlığı ve öksürük olarak bulundu. Hastaların 1. ve 5.gün bakılan lenfosit (lenfopeni), C-Reaktif Protein (CRP), Prokalsitonin (PCT),nötrofil7lenfosit oranı (NLO), platelet /lenfosit oranı (PLO), D-Dimer değerleri tanı anında ve takiplerde mortalite öngörücüsü olarak tespit edildi (p

Institutional, therapeutic, and individual factors associated with 30-day mortality after COVID-19 diagnosis in Canadian long-term care facilities

Background

Canadian long‐term care facility (LTCF) residents experienced higher death rates compared to other countries during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. This cohort study analyzes the individual, therapeutic, and institutional factors associated with death in LTCFs.

Methods

Institutional data for 17 LTCFs in Montreal, Canada were obtained from local administrative registries. Individual data for 1197 residents infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 between February 23 and July 11, 2020 were obtained through chart reviews. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model, which accounted for LTCF clustering, was used to identify resident and facility covariates associated with 30‐day mortality after COVID‐19 diagnosis.

Results

Severe shortage of licensed practical nurses (RR 2.60 95% CI 1.20–5.61) and medium‐sized facilities compared to smaller‐sized facilities (RR 2.73 95% CI 1.23–6.07) were associated with 30‐day mortality. Later COVID‐19 diagnosis (RR 0.98 95% CI 0.97–0.99 per additional day) was associated with survival. Individual risk factors for death included age (RR 1.33 95% CI 1.23–1.45 per additional 10 years), male sex (RR 1.46 95% CI 1.24–1.71), functional impairment (RR 1.08 95% CI 1.04–1.12 per unit increase of SMAF), as well as a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (RR 1.31 95% CI 1.04–1.66) and neurocognitive disorder (RR 1.31 95% CI 1.01–1.70). Among severe cases, anticoagulation was associated with survival (RR 0.70 95% CI 0.51–0.96).

Conclusions

This study identified practical nurse shortages and facility size as institutional risk factors for COVID‐19 death. Anticoagulation was associated with survival among severe cases.

Are gastrointestinal symptoms associated with higher risk of Mortality in COVID-19 patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in patients with COVID-19. Several clinical investigations suggested that gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with disease severity of COVID-19. However, the relevance of gastrointestinal symptoms and mortality of COVID-19 remains largely unknown. We aim to investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and COVID-19 mortality.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of science and Cochrane for studies published between Dec 1, 2019 and May 1, 2021, that had data on gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Additional literatures were obtained by screening the citations of included studies and recent reviews. Only studies that reported the mortality of COVID-19 patients with/without gastrointestinal symptoms were included. Raw data were pooled to calculate OR (Odds Ratio). The mortality was compared between patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as between patients with and without individual symptoms (diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain).

RESULTS

Fifty-three literatures with 55,245 COVID-19 patients (4955 non-survivors and 50,290 survivors) were included. The presence of GI symptoms was not associated with the mortality of COVID-19 patients (OR=0.88; 95% CI 0.71-1.09; P=0.23). As for individual symptoms, diarrhea (OR=1.01; 95% CI 0.72-1.41; P=0.96), nausea/vomiting (OR=1.16; 95% CI 0.78-1.71; P=0.46) and abdominal pain (OR=1.55; 95% CI 0.68-3.54; P=0.3) also showed non-relevance with the death of COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrointestinal symptoms are not associated with higher mortality of COVID-19 patients. The prognostic value of gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 requires further investigation.

Regional Differences in COVID-19 Mortality Rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Simulation of the New Model of Care

Background This study aimed to assess regional COVID-19 mortality rates and compare the five proposed business units (BUs).  Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We included 1743 adults (≥ 18 years of age) with COVID-19 admitted to any of 30 MOH hospitals. Results The inpatients had confirmed mild to severe COVID-19 between March and mid-July 2020. The central BU (Riyadh) was used as the reference. MOH electronic health record data were reviewed and utilized, including variables reflecting hospital course (mortality and discharge status). The primary outcome was COVID-19-related inpatient death. Covariates included patient demographics, pre-existing chronic diseases, and COVID-19-related complications. The data were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. KSA inpatient mortality was 30%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that COVID-19-related mortality was significantly higher in the northern and western BUs and significantly lower in the southern and eastern BUs than in the central BU. On controlling for other variables, adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for essential COVID-19 mortality predictors during admission, using the central BU as a reference, were as 9.90 [95% CI, 4.53-21.61] and 1.55 [95% CI, 1.04-2.13] times higher in the northern and western BUs, respectively, and 0.60 [95% CI, 0.36-0.99] and 0.23 [95% CI, 0.14-0.038] times lower in the southern and eastern BUs, respectively. Conclusion The five BUs differed in COVID-19 mortality rates after adjusting for patient and disease characteristics, with the differences consistent with those in the regions comprising the BUs. These outcome differences apparently relate to differences in healthcare resources and quality.

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Quantification of asymptomatic infections is fundamental for effective public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discrepancies regarding the extent of asymptomaticity have arisen from inconsistent terminology as well as conflation of index and secondary cases which biases toward lower asymptomaticity. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and World Health Organization Global Research Database on COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and April 2, 2021 to identify studies that reported silent infections at the time of testing, whether presymptomatic or asymptomatic. Index cases were removed to minimize representational bias that would result in overestimation of symptomaticity. By analyzing over 350 studies, we estimate that the percentage of infections that never developed clinical symptoms, and thus were truly asymptomatic, was 35.1% (95% CI: 30.7 to 39.9%). At the time of testing, 42.8% (95% prediction interval: 5.2 to 91.1%) of cases exhibited no symptoms, a group comprising both asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. Asymptomaticity was significantly lower among the elderly, at 19.7% (95% CI: 12.7 to 29.4%) compared with children at 46.7% (95% CI: 32.0 to 62.0%). We also found that cases with comorbidities had significantly lower asymptomaticity compared to cases with no underlying medical conditions. Without proactive policies to detect asymptomatic infections, such as rapid contact tracing, prolonged efforts for pandemic control may be needed even in the presence of vaccination.

Patient Factors and Hospital Outcomes Associated With Atypical Presentation in Hospitalized Older Adults With COVID-19 During the First Surge of the Pandemic

Background

Literature indicates an atypical presentation of COVID-19 among older adults (OAs). Our purpose is to identify the frequency of atypical presentation and compare demographic and clinical factors, and short-term outcomes, between typical versus atypical presentations in OAs hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first surge of the pandemic.

Methods

Data from the inpatient electronic health record were extracted for patients aged 65 and older, admitted to our health systems’ hospitals with COVID-19 between March 1 and April 20, 2020. Presentation as reported by the OA or his/her representative is documented by the admitting professional and includes both symptoms and signs. Natural language processing was used to code the presence/absence of each symptom or sign. Typical presentation was defined as words indicating fever, cough, or shortness of breath; atypical presentation was defined as words indicating functional decline or altered mental status.

Results

Of 4 961 unique OAs, atypical presentation characterized by functional decline or altered mental status was present in 24.9% and 11.3%, respectively. Atypical presentation was associated with older age, female gender, Black race, non-Hispanic ethnicity, higher comorbidity index, and the presence of dementia and diabetes mellitus. Those who presented typically were 1.39 times more likely than those who presented atypically to receive intensive care unit–level care. Hospital outcomes of mortality, length of stay, and 30-day readmission were similar between OAs with typical versus atypical presentations.

Conclusion

Although atypical presentation in OAs is not associated with the same need for acute intervention as respiratory distress, it must not be dismissed.

Excess Mortality After COVID-19 in Swedish Long-Term Care Facilities

Objective

To compare 30-day mortality in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents with and without COVID-19 and to investigate the impact of 31 potential risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 cases.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting and Participants

All residents of LTCFs registered in Senior Alert, a Swedish national database of health examinations in older adults, during 2019-2020.

Methods

We selected residents with confirmed COVID-19 until September 15, 2020, along with time-dependent propensity score–matched controls without COVID-19. Exposures were COVID-19, age, sex, comorbidities, medications, and other patient characteristics. The outcome was all-cause 30-day mortality.

Results

A total of 3731 residents (median age 87 years, 64.5% female) with COVID-19 were matched to 3731 controls without COVID-19. Thirty-day mortality was 39.9% in COVID-19 cases and 5.7% in controls [relative risk 7.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.10-8.14]. In COVID-19 cases, the odds ratio (OR) for 30-day mortality was 2.44 (95% CI 1.57-3.81) in cases aged 80-84 years, 2.99 (95% CI 1.93-4.65) in cases aged 85-89 years, and 3.28 (95% CI 2.11-5.10) in cases aged ≥90 years, as compared with cases aged <70 years. Other risk factors for mortality among COVID-19 cases included male sex (OR, 2.60, 95% CI 2.22-3.05), neuropsychological conditions (OR, 2.18; 95% CI 1.76-2.71), impaired walking ability (OR, 1.45, 95% CI 1.17-1.78), urinary and bowel incontinence (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.22-1.85), diabetes (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-1.62), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.68) and previous pneumonia (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.32-1.85). Nutritional factors, cardiovascular diseases, and antihypertensive medications were not significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusions and Implications

In Swedish LTCFs, COVID-19 was associated with a large excess in mortality after controlling for an extensive number of risk factors. Beyond older age and male sex, several prevalent clinical risk factors independently contributed to higher mortality. These findings suggest that reducing transmission of COVID-19 in LTCFs will likely prevent a considerable number of deaths.