Determinants for hospitalisations,intensive care unit admission and death among 20,293 reported COVID-19 cases in Portugal,March to April 2020

BackgroundDeterminants of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death are still unclear for COVID-19. Few studies have adjusted for confounding for different clinical outcomes including all reported cases within a country.AimWe used routine surveillance data from Portugal to identify risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes, and to support risk stratification, public health interventions, and planning of healthcare resources.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study including 20,293 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported between 1 March and 28 April 2020 through the national epidemiological surveillance system. We calculated absolute risk, relative risk (RR) and adjusted relative risk (aRR) to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with hospitalisation, ICU admission and death using Poisson regressions.ResultsIncreasing age (≥ 60 years) was the major determinant for all outcomes. Age ≥ 90 years was the strongest determinant of hospital admission (aRR: 6.1), and 70–79 years for ICU (aRR: 10.4). Comorbidities of cardiovascular, immunodeficiency, kidney and lung disease (aRR: 4.3, 2.8, 2.4, 2.0, respectively) had stronger associations with ICU admission, while for death they were kidney, cardiovascular and chronic neurological disease (aRR: 2.9, 2.6, 2.0).ConclusionsOlder age was the strongest risk factor for all severe outcomes. These findings from the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic support risk-stratified public health measures that should prioritise protecting older people. Epidemiological scenarios and clinical guidelines should consider this, even though under-ascertainment should also be considered.     

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: characterisation of cases and risk factors for severe outcomes,as at 27 April 2020

BackgroundThe first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic spread rapidly in Spain, one of Europe’s most affected countries. A national lockdown was implemented on 15 March 2020.AimTo describe reported cases and the impact of national lockdown, and to identify disease severity risk factors.MethodsNational surveillance data were used to describe PCR-confirmed cases as at 27 April 2020. We compared case characteristics by severity categories (hospitalisation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), death) and identified severity risk factors using multivariable regression.ResultsThe epidemic peaked on 20 March. Of 218,652 COVID-19 cases, 45.4% were hospitalised, 4.6% were admitted to ICU and 11.9% died. Among those who died, 94.8% had at least one underlying disease. Healthcare workers (HCWs) represented 22.9% of cases. Males were more likely to have severe outcomes than females. Cardiovascular disease was a consistent risk factor. Patients with pneumonia had higher odds of hospitalisation (odds ratio (OR): 26.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 25.03–28.33). The strongest predictor of death was age ≥ 80 years (OR: 28.4; 95% CI: 19.85–40.78). Among underlying diseases, chronic renal disease had highest odds of death (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.29–1.68).ConclusionsCOVID-19 case numbers began declining 6 days after the national lockdown. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain had a severe impact on elderly people. Patients with cardiovascular or renal conditions were at higher risk for severe outcomes. A high proportion of cases were HCWs. Enhanced surveillance and control measures in these subgroups are crucial during future COVID-19 waves.     

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for liver injury in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic. We investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors for liver injury in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan by retrospectively analyzing the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data for 218 COVID-19 patients and identifying the risk factors for liver injury by multivariate analysis.AIM To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for liver injury in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan.METHODS The 218 patients included 94 males(43.1%), aged 22 to 94(50.1 ± 18.4) years. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were present in 42(53.2%) and 36(45.6%) cases, respectively, and 79(36.2%) patients had abnormally elevated transaminase levels at admission. Patients with liver injury were older than those with normal liver function by a median of 12 years, with a significantly higher frequency of males(68.4% vs 28.8%, P 0.001) and more coexisting illnesses(48.1% vs 27.3%, P = 0.002). Significantly more patients had fever and shortness of breath(87.3% vs 69.8% and 29.1% vs 14.4%, respectively) in the liver injury group. Only 12(15.2%) patients had elevated total bilirubin. ALT and AST levels were mildly elevated [1-3 × upper limit of normal(ULN)] in 86.1% and 92.9% of cases, respectively. Only two(2.5%) patients had an ALT or AST level 5 × ULN. Elevated γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was present in 45(57.0%) patients, and 86.7% of these had a γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase level 135 U/L(3 × ULN). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were almost normal in all patients. Patients with severe liver injury had a significantly higher frequency of abnormal transaminases than non-severe patients, but only one case had very high levels of aminotransferases.RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, high D-dimer level, and high neutrophil percentage were linked to a higher risk of liver injury. The early stage of COVID-19 may be associated with mildly elevated aminotransferase levels in patients in Wuhan. Male sex and high D-dimer level and neutrophil percentage may be important predictors of liver injury in patients with COVID-19.CONCLUSION Male sex and high D-dimer level and neutrophil percentage may be important predictors of liver injury in patients with COVID-19.     

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for severe COVID-19 in patients with haematological disorders receiving chemo- or immunotherapy

Haematology patients receiving chemo- or immunotherapy are considered to be at greater risk of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify risk factors for COVID-19 severity and assess outcomes in patients where COVID-19 complicated the treatment of their haematological disorder. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 55 patients with haematological disorders and COVID-19, including 52 with malignancy, two with bone marrow failure and one immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). COVID-19 diagnosis coincided with a new diagnosis of a haematological malignancy in four patients. Among patients, 82% were on systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Of hospitalised patients, 37% (19/51) died while all four outpatients recovered. Risk factors for severe disease or mortality were similar to those in other published cohorts. Raised C-reactive protein at diagnosis predicted an aggressive clinical course. The majority of patients recovered from COVID-19, despite receiving recent SACT. This suggests that SACT, where urgent, should be administered despite intercurrent COVID-19 infection, which should be managed according to standard pathways. Delay or modification of therapy should be considered on an individual basis. Long-term follow-up studies in larger patient cohorts are required to assess the efficacy of treatment strategies employed during the pandemic.     

Clinical symptoms,comorbidities and complications in severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis without cases duplication

Background:The pandemic of COVID-19 poses a challenge to global healthcare. The mortality rates of severe cases range from 8.1% to 38%, and it is particularly important to identify risk factors that aggravate the disease.Methods:We performed a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis, using 7 databases to identify studies reporting on clinical characteristics, comorbidities and complications in severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19. All the observational studies were included. We performed a random or fixed effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled proportion and 95% confidence interval (CI). Measure of heterogeneity was estimated by Cochran''s Q statistic, I² index and P value.Results:A total of 4881 cases from 25 studies related to COVID-19 were included. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (severe: 33.4%, 95% CI: 25.4%–41.4%; non-severe 21.6%, 95% CI: 9.9%–33.3%), followed by diabetes (severe: 14.4%, 95% CI: 11.5%–17.3%; non-severe: 8.5%, 95% CI: 6.1%–11.0%). The prevalence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury and shock were all higher in severe cases, with 41.1% (95% CI: 14.1%–68.2%), 16.4% (95% CI: 3.4%–29.5%) and 19.9% (95% CI: 5.5%–34.4%), rather than 3.0% (95% CI: 0.6%–5.5%), 2.2% (95% CI: 0.1%–4.2%) and 4.1% (95% CI: −4.8%–13.1%) in non-severe patients, respectively. The death rate was higher in severe cases (30.3%, 95% CI: 13.8%–46.8%) than non-severe cases (1.5%, 95% CI: 0.1%–2.8%).Conclusion:Hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases may be risk factors for severe COVID-19.     

39例新型冠状病毒肺炎患者临床特征分析

目的　分析新型冠状病毒肺炎（coronavirus disease-2019, COVID-19）患者的流行病学特点、临床表现、实验室检查、影像学特征及临床转归等资料,为COVID-19的诊治提供参考。方法　纳入2020年1月21日—2月24日在郴州市第二人民医院经SARS-CoV-2核酸检测阳性的COVID-19患者39例,对其流行病学特征、首发症状、WBC、淋巴细胞计数、降钙素原（procalcitonin, PCT）、IL-6、CRP、CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数、CD8+ T淋巴细胞计数、影像学及临床转归等资料进行分析。结果　39例患者中,2例为轻型,35例为普通型,2例为重型,除去无明确接触史及返乡前就已发病的患者,其余潜伏期为2.0～12.0 d,平均为（7.7±3.3）d,其中32例（82.05%）发病前有武汉旅居史或武汉返乡人员密切接触史,5例（12.82%）发病前有广东旅居史或广东返乡人员密切接触史,2 例（5.12%）无明确可疑接触史;有7起家族聚集性病例,共26例,占发病总例数的66.67%。24例（61.54%）患者早期症状为发热,25例（64.10%）患者早期症状为咳嗽,有少数患者存在咽痛、肌肉酸痛、纳差、咳嗽、腹泻,3例（7.69%）无任何临床表现。WBC下降12 例（30.77%）;淋巴细胞计数下降8例（20.51%）;T淋巴细胞计数下降3例（7.69%）;ALT升高12例（30.77%）;TBIL升高10例（25.64%）;LDH升高21例（53.85%）;CRP升高18例（46.15%）;IL-6升高3例（7.69%）;患者 降钙素原均正常。肺部CT病灶呈双肺多发,以外侧带胸膜下为主,多表现为斑片状、云絮状磨玻璃样改变。6例普通型COVID-19患者出院后随访,肺部病灶完全吸收,吸收时间18.0～31.0 d,平均（26.8±4.5） d。结论　本研究前期纳入的COVID-19患者为输入性病例,后期则以家庭聚集性病例为主;临床表现以发热和咳嗽为常见症状,少数患者症状轻甚至无症状;大部分患者为普通型;胸部CT表现多为斑片状、云絮状磨玻璃样改变;肺部病灶的好转不与核酸转阴完全同步;目前随访的普通型COVID-19患者预后良好。     

Risk factors and electrocardiogram characteristics for mortality in critical inpatients with COVID-19

BackgroundThe novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has spread worldwide.HypothesisThe possible risk factors that lead to death in critical inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are not yet fully understood.MethodsIn this single‐center, retrospective study, we enrolled 113 critical patients with COVID‐19 from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between February 1, 2020 and March 15, 2020. Patients who survived or died were compared.ResultsA total of 113 critical patients with COVID‐19 were recruited; 50 (44.3%) died, and 63 (55.7%) recovered. The proportion of patients with ventricular arrhythmia was higher in the death group than in the recovery group (P = .021) and was higher among patients with myocardial damage than patients without myocardial damage (P = .013). Multivariate analysis confirmed independent predictors of mortality from COVID‐19: age > 70 years (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.03‐3.28), initial neutrophil count over 6.5 × 10⁹/L (HR 3.43, 95% CI 1.84‐6.40), C‐reactive protein greater than 100 mg/L (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.04‐3.59), and lactate dehydrogenase over 300 U/L (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.26‐6.67). Immunoglobulin treatment (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21‐0.73) can reduce the risk of death. Sinus tachycardia (HR 2.94, 95% CI 1.16‐7.46) and ventricular arrhythmia (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.11‐7.04) were independent ECG risk factors for mortality from COVID‐19.ConclusionsOld age (>70 years), neutrophilia, C‐reactive protein greater than 100 mg/L and lactate dehydrogenase over 300 U/L are high‐risk factors for mortality in critical patients with COVID‐19. Sinus tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmia are independent ECG risk factors for mortality from COVID‐19.     

7例北京地区新型冠状病毒肺炎的临床及实验室特征分析

目的　分析由新型冠状病毒感染引起的新型冠状病毒肺炎的临床及实验室特征。方法　回顾性分析2020年1月24日—3月8日在中国医学大学航空总医院接诊并诊断明确的新型冠状病毒肺炎患者相关资料,包括流行病学史、临床特征、影像学及实验室检查数据。结果　2020年1月24日—3月8日,中国医学大学航空总医院共筛查76例发热患者,7例确诊为新型冠状病毒肺炎。7例患者均有武汉旅居史或与武汉返程人员接触史,4/7的患者年龄在41～65岁,4/7的患者合并基础性疾病。所有患者均为轻型或普通型,6/7的患者有发热症状,4/7的患者有咳嗽或咽痛症状,没有患者出现腹泻或呼吸困难。影像学结果表明,6/7的患者胸部CT均存在大小不等团片状磨玻璃影,其内均可见细密网格影,至少有1处病变紧贴胸膜。实验室检查结果表明,3/7患者淋巴细胞计数减少,4/7患者CRP升高,3/6患者D-二聚体升高。7例患者新型冠状病毒核酸检测均为阳性,经抗病毒及对症治疗治愈。结论　新型冠状病毒肺炎症状因人而异,该疾病的诊断应综合患者的流行病学史、临床表现、CT及实验室检查结果等信息。     

Clinical characteristics of older patients infected with COVID-19: A descriptive study

ObjectivesSince the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has spread in the world rapidly. Population have a susceptibility to COVID-19, older people were more susceptible to have a variety diseases than younger, including COVID-19 infection with no doubt. This study focused on older patients with COVID-19 infection and analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of them.MethodsWe collected information on confirmed older patient transferred by Beijing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to the designated hospitals from Jan 20 to Feb 29, 2020. The information including demographic, epidemiological, clinical, classification of severity and outcomes. All cases were categorized into three groups and compared the difference between aged 50–64 years, 65–79 years and older than 80 years.Results56.7 % of elderly confirmed patients were male, fever (78.3 %), cough (56.7 %), dyspnea (30.0 %), and fatigue (23.3 %) were common symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Classification of severity has statistically significant differences between the three groups, compared with middle-aged patients and aged 65–79 years group, older than 80 years group had significant statistical differences in contacted to symptomatic case in 14 days. As of Feb 29, 38.3 % patients had discharged and 53.3 % patients remained in hospital in our study, the fatality of COVID-19 infection in elderly was 8.3 %.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 infection is generally susceptible with a relatively high fatality rate in older patients, we should pay more attention to the elderly patients with COVID-19 infection.     

Occupational risk of COVID-19 in the first versus second epidemic wave in Norway, 2020

BackgroundThe occupational risk of COVID-19 may be different in the first versus second epidemic wave.AimTo study whether employees in occupations that typically entail close contact with others were at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospitalisation during the first and second epidemic wave before and after 18 July 2020, in Norway.MethodsWe included individuals in occupations working with patients, children, students, or customers using Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) codes. We compared residents (3,559,694 on 1 January 2020) in such occupations aged 20–70 years (mean: 44.1; standard deviation: 14.3 years; 51% men) to age-matched individuals in other professions using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, birth country and marital status.ResultsNurses, physicians, dentists and physiotherapists had 2–3.5 times the odds of COVID-19 during the first wave when compared with others of working age. In the second wave, bartenders, waiters, food counter attendants, transport conductors, travel stewards, childcare workers, preschool and primary school teachers had ca 1.25–2 times the odds of infection. Bus, tram and taxi drivers had an increased odds of infection in both waves (odds ratio: 1.2–2.1). Occupation was of limited relevance for the odds of severe infection, here studied as hospitalisation with the disease.ConclusionOur findings from the entire Norwegian population may be of relevance to national and regional authorities in handling the epidemic. Also, we provide a knowledge foundation for more targeted future studies of lockdowns and disease control measures.     

某定点医院COVID-19前接转运病例结局分析

目的　分析COVID-19前接转运病例的特征及转运工作经验,为新突发呼吸道传染病前接转运工作提供参考。方法　收集2020年1月22日—3月22日我中心34例COVID-19前接转运病例的就诊与排查流程信息,对病例年龄及性别分布特征、确诊与排除情况进行统计分析。结果　34例病例中,确诊8例,排除26例,确诊病例均有流行病学史,1例住院确诊病例出院后出现核酸检测“复阳”。结论　前接转运医师须高度重视病例流行病学史的询问与排查,关注疫情初期核酸检测假阳性现象。病例转运、留观和住院诊疗等各环节均严格落实院内感染防控措施,有效防止交叉感染的发生。     

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of 116,539 Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19—Poland,March–December 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to characterize patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Poland between March and December 2020, as well as to identify factors associated with COVID 19–related risk of in-hospital death. This retrospective analysis was based on data from the hospital discharge reports on COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Poland between March and December 2020. A total of 116,539 discharge reports on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were analyzed. Among patients with COVID-19, 21,490 (18.4%) died during hospitalization. Patients over 60 years of age (OR = 7.74; 95%CI: 7.37–8.12; p < 0.001), men (OR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.38–1.47; p < 0.001) as well as those with cardiovascular diseases (OR = 1.51; 95%CI: 1.46–1.56; p < 0.001) or disease of the genitourinary system (OR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.31–1.47; p < 0.001) had much higher odds of COVID 19–related risk of in-hospital death. The presence of at least one comorbidity more than doubled the COVID 19–related risk of in-hospital death (OR = 2.23; 95%CI: 2.14–2.32; p < 0.01). The following predictors of admission to ICU were found in multivariable analysis: age over 60 years (OR: 2.03; 95%CI: 1.90–2.16), male sex (OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.69–1.89), presence of at least one cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.19–1.34), presence of at least one endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disease (OR: 1.17; 95%CI: 1.07–1.28).