Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is associated with increased mortality in patients with COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis

Dyslipidemia Increases the Risk of Severe COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether dyslipidemia affects the mortality and severity of COVID-19, we also aimed to evaluate whether other comorbidities influence the association.

METHODS

A systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and EuropePMC was performed on 8 October 2020. This study's main outcome is a poor composite outcome, comprising of mortality and severe COVID-19.

RESULTS

There were 9 studies with 3663 patients. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in this pooled analysis was 18% (4%-32%). Dyslipidemia was associated with increased composite poor outcome (RR 1.39 [1.02, 1.88], P = .010; I 2: 56.7%, P = .018). Subgroup analysis showed that dyslipidemia was associated with severe COVID-19 (RR 1.39 [1.03, 1.87], P = .008; I 2: 57.4%, P = .029). Meta-regression showed that the association between dyslipidemia and poor outcome varies by age (coefficient: -0.04, P = .033), male gender (coefficient: -0.03, P = .042), and hypertension (coefficient: -0.02, P = .033), but not diabetes (coefficient: -0.24, P = .135) and cardiovascular diseases (coefficient: -0.01, P = .506). Inverted funnel-plot was relatively symmetrical. Egger's test indicates that the pooled analysis was not statistically significant for small-study effects (P = .206).

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia potentially increases mortality and severity of COVID-19. The association was stronger in patients with older age, male, and hypertension.PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020213491.

COVID-19 or not COVID-19? Compared characteristics of patients hospitalized for suspected COVID-19

During an epidemic period, we compared patients hospitalized for initial suspicion of COVID-19 but for whom an alternative diagnosis was finally retained (n = 152) with those who had COVID-19 (n = 222). Most common diagnoses were another infectious disease and heart failure. COVID-19-negative patients were more often active smokers had less often cough, fever, and digestive symptoms, as compared to the 222 COVID-19-positive patients. They had higher median neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and lower CRP level. In multivariate analysis, no current smoking, neurocognitive disorder, myalgia, and fibrinogen ≥4g/L were independently associated with a final diagnosis of COVID-19.

Body mass index and outcome in patients with COVID-19: A dose-response meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is mounting evidence related to the association between obesity and severity of COVID-19. However, the direct relationship of the increase in the severe COVID-19 risk factors, with an increase in body mass index (BMI), has not yet been evaluated.

AIM

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Europe PMC, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Central Database. The primary outcome was composite poor outcome composed of mortality and severity. The secondary outcomes were mortality and severity.

RESULTS

A total of 34,390 patients from 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that obesity was associated with composite poor outcome (OR 1.73 [1.40, 2.14], P<0.001; I2: 55.6%), mortality (OR 1.55 [1.16, 2.06], P=0.003; I2: 74.4%), and severity (OR 1.90 [1.45, 2.48], P<0.001; I2: 5.2%) in patients with COVID-19. A pooled analysis of highest BMI versus reference BMI indicate that a higher BMI in the patients was associated with composite poor outcome (aOR 3.02 [1.82, 5.00], P<0.001; I2: 59.8%), mortality (aOR 2.85 [1.17, 6.92], P=0.002; I2: 79.7%), and severity (aOR 3.08 [1.78, 5.33], P<0.001; I2: 11.7%). The dose-response meta-analysis showed an increased risk of composite poor outcome by aOR of 1.052 [1.028, 1.077], P<0.001 for every 5kg/m2 increase in BMI (Pnon-linearity<0.001). The curve became steeper with increasing BMI.

CONCLUSION

Dose-response meta-analysis demonstrated that increased BMI was associated with increased poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Dyslipidemia Increases the Risk of Severe COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether dyslipidemia affects the mortality and severity of COVID-19, we also aimed to evaluate whether other comorbidities influence the association.

METHODS

A systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and EuropePMC was performed on 8 October 2020. This study's main outcome is a poor composite outcome, comprising of mortality and severe COVID-19.

RESULTS

There were 9 studies with 3,663 patients. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in this pooled analysis was 18% (4%-32%). Dyslipidemia was associated with increased composite poor outcome (RR 1.39 [1.02, 1.88], p=0.010; I2: 56.7%, p=0.018). Subgroup analysis showed that dyslipidemia was associated with severe COVID-19 (RR 1.39 [1.03, 1.87], p=0.008; I2: 57.4%, p=0.029). Meta-regression showed that the association between dyslipidemia and poor outcome varies by age (coefficient: -0.04, p=0.033), male gender (coefficient: -0.03, p=0.042), and hypertension (coefficient: -0.02, p=0.033), but not diabetes (coefficient: -0.24, p=0.135) and cardiovascular diseases (coefficient: -0.01, p=0.506). Inverted funnel-plot was relatively symmetrical. Egger's test indicates that the pooled analysis was not statistically significant for small-study effects (p=0.206).

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia potentially increases mortality and severity of COVID-19. The association was stronger in patients with older age, male, and hypertension.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020213491.

Characterization of NT-proBNP in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients

Aims

Extensive research regarding the association of troponin and prognosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has been performed. However, data regarding natriuretic peptides are scarce. N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) reflects haemodynamic stress and has proven useful for risk stratification in heart failure (HF) and other conditions such as pulmonary embolism and pneumonia. We aimed to adequately characterize NT‐proBNP concentrations using a large cohort of patients with COVID‐19, and to investigate its association with prognosis.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and available NT‐proBNP determinations, from March 1st to April 20th, 2020 who completed at least 1‐month follow‐up or died, were studied. Of 3080 screened patients, a total of 396 (mean age 71.8 ± 14.6 years, 61.1% male) fulfilled all the selection criteria and were finally included, with a median follow‐up of 53 (18–62) days. Of those, 192 (48.5%) presented NT‐proBNP levels above the recommended cut‐off for the identification of HF. However, only 47 fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of HF. Patients with higher NT‐proBNP during admission experienced more frequent bleeding, arrhythmias and HF decompensations. NT‐proBNP was associated with mortality both in the whole study population and after excluding patients with HF. A multivariable Cox model confirmed that NT‐proBNP was independently associated with mortality after adjusting for all relevant confounders (hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.13–1.44, per logarithmic unit).

Conclusion

NT‐proBNP is frequently elevated in COVID‐19. It is strongly and independently associated with mortality after adjusting for relevant confounders, including chronic HF and acute HF. Therefore, its use may improve early prognostic stratification in this condition.

Prevalence of dementia and its impact on mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dementia in patients with COVID-19 and its association with mortality. We also aimed to discover whether age, sex and other comorbidities might affect the association between dementia and mortality.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic literature search using PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC and the Cochrane Central Database. The outcome of interest was mortality, defined as clinically validated mortality/death/non-survivor in the studies. The pooled effect estimates were presented as odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 56 577 patients from 10 studies were included. The prevalence of dementia in this pooled analysis was 10% (7-13%). Dementia was associated with increased mortality in both pooled unadjusted (odds ratio 2.80, 95% CI 1.85-4.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 93.7%) and adjusted effect estimates (adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.45-2.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 72.9%). The association between dementia and mortality was influenced by age (coefficient -0.047, P < 0.001) and hypertension (coefficient -0.009, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that dementia was associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. The association was affected by age and comorbidities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 172-177.

The Novel Perspectives Opened by ST2 in the Pandemic: A Review of Its Role in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Heart Failure and COVID-19

The increasing incidence of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its polymorphic clinical manifestations due to local and systemic inflammation represent a high burden for many public health systems. Multiple evidence revealed the interdependence between the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities and a severe course of COVID-19, with heart failure (HF) being incriminated as an independent predictor of mortality. Suppression of tumorigenicity-2 ST2 has emerged as one of the most promising biomarkers in assessing the evolution and prognosis of patients with HF. The uniqueness of ST2 is determined by its structural particularities. Its transmembrane isoform exerts cardioprotective effects, while the soluble isoform (sST2), which is detectable in serum, is associated with myocardial fibrosis and poor outcome in patients with HF. Some recent data also suggested the potential role of sST2 as a marker of inflammation, while other studies highlighted it as a valuable prognostic factor in patients with COVID-19. In this review, we summarized the pathways by which sST2 is related to myocardial injury and its connection to the severity of inflammation in patients with COVID-19. Also, we reviewed possible perspectives of using it as a dual cardio-inflammatory biomarker, for both early diagnosis, risk stratification and prognosis assessment of patients with concomitant HF and COVID-19.

A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews on the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 a systemic inflammation involving multiple organs, affecting all age groups, with high mortality rate, severe adverse outcomes, and high economic burden need to be described. A systematic review of systematic reviews conducted. We searched PubMed, OVID Medline, Cochrane library, COVID-19 resource centers of N Engl. J Med, AHA, and LITCOVID. Certainty of evidences was evaluated by GRADE approach. Meta-analysis according to random effects model was conducted. Seventy-one eligible systematic reviews are included in the study. A total of 86.5% of them had high quality, and 13.5% had medium quality. Meta-analysis results are presented in tabular format, and the remaining results are presented in narration fashion. COVID-19 involves blood vessels, lung, heart, nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal system, kidney, eyes, and other organs and infects adult and children, neonates, pregnant women, and elderly, transmitted via air born and droplet. Comorbidities associated with COVID-19 are HTN 20.7%, CVD 9.6%, DM 9.55%, respiratory diseases 7%, and 9% of cigarette smoking. Prognostic factors for mortality among COVID-19 cases are acute cardiac injury, diagnosed CVD, DM, respiratory disease, and HTN. Prognostic factors for disease severity are CVD and HTN. Prognostic factors for disease progression were fever, shortness of breath, and smoking. There is no specific antiviral treatment. Preventive measures including physical distancing of 2 m and more, using PPE, avoiding social gatherings, quarantine, and isolation have been recommended. Encouraging telemedicine, online training, and homeschooling are highly recommended. Vaccine is approaching, and concerns exist about vaccine with a high efficacy. Modification of CVD and cardiometabolic risk became the cornerstone for sustainable control of pandemic.

Impact of congestive heart failure and role of cardiac biomarkers in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported to cause worse outcomes in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease, especially in patients with acute cardiac injury, which is determined by elevated levels of high-sensitivity troponin. There is a paucity of data on the impact of congestive heart failure (CHF) on outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search of PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases from 11/1/2019 till 06/07/2020, and identified all relevant studies reporting cardiovascular comorbidities, cardiac biomarkers, disease severity, and survival. Pooled data from the selected studies was used for metanalysis to identify the impact of risk factors and cardiac biomarker elevation on disease severity and/or mortality.

RESULTS

We collected pooled data on 5967 COVID-19 patients from 20 individual studies. We found that both non-survivors and those with severe disease had an increased risk of acute cardiac injury and cardiac arrhythmias, our pooled relative risk (RR) was - 8.52 (95% CI 3.63-19.98) (p < 0.001); and 3.61 (95% CI 2.03-6.43) (p = 0.001), respectively. Mean difference in the levels of Troponin-I, CK-MB, and NT-proBNP was higher in deceased and severely infected patients. The RR of in-hospital mortality was 2.35 (95% CI 1.18-4.70) (p = 0.022) and 1.52 (95% CI 1.12-2.05) (p = 0.008) among patients who had pre-existing CHF and hypertension, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac involvement in COVID-19 infection appears to significantly adversely impact patient prognosis and survival. Pre-existence of CHF, and high cardiac biomarkers like NT-pro BNP and CK-MB levels in COVID-19 patients correlates with worse outcomes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) markedly increased mortality in patients with hip fracture - A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its impact on mortality in patients with hip fracture.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Central Database, and medRvix from inception up to July 13, 2020 on research articles that enrolled hip fracture patients who had information on COVID-19 and clinically validated definition of death.

RESULTS

A total of 984 participants from 6 studies were included in our study. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 was 9% [95% CI: 7-11%]. The mortality rate in patients with concomitant hip fracture and COVID-19 was found to be 36% (95% CI: 26-47%), whereas the mortality rate in hip fracture without COVID-19 is 2% (95% CI: 1-3%). Meta-analysis showed that COVID-19 was associated with a seven-fold increase in risk (RR 7.45 [95% CI: 2.72, 20.43], p < 0.001; I2: 68.6%) of mortality in patients with hip fracture. Regression-based Harbord's test showed no indication of small-study effects (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis showed that COVID-19 increased the risk of mortality in patients with hip fracture.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered with PROSPERO, July 21, 2020, number CRD42020199618. Available from https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020199618.

Elevated interleukin levels are associated with higher severity and mortality in COVID 19 - A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

COVID 19 pneumonia commonly leads to ARDS. The occurrence of ARDS in COVID 19 patients is thought to occur secondary to an exaggerated immunologic response. In this meta-analysis, we aim to comprehensively study the various levels of immunological parameters in patients with COVID 19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, EuropePMC, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Database, and medRxiv with the search terms, "COVID-19" and "Interleukin". The outcome of interest was prognosis in COVID 19 patients.

RESULTS

We performed meta analysis of 16 studies. Higher counts of CD4 and CD8 with Lower Levels of TNF-a, IL2R, IL6, IL8 were observed on patients with good prognosis compared to patients with poor prognosis; -0.57 (pg/mL) (-1.10, -0.04, p = 0.04), (I2 91%, p < 0.001); -579.84 (U/mL) (-930.11, -229.57, p < 0.001), (I2 96%, p < 0.001); -1.49 (pg/mL) (-1.97, -1.01, p < 0.001), (I2 94%, p < 0.001); -0.80 (pg/mL) (-1.21, -0.40, p < 0.001), (I2 79%, p < 0.001); -2.51 (pg/mL) (-3.64, -1.38, p < 0.00001), (I2 98%, p < 0.001) respectively. Meta-regression showed age and hypertension (coefficient: 1.99, and -1.57, p = 0.005, and 0.006) significantly influenced association between IL-6 and poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

Elevated immune response to coronavirus occurs in COVID 19 patients. Higher counts of CD4 and CD8 were seen in patients with good prognosis compared to patients with poor prognosis, with Lower levels of TNF-a, IL2R, IL6, IL8, were observed in patients with good prognosis compared to patients with poor prognosis.

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on the Number of Strokes and Mechanical Thrombectomies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke care, including the number of stroke alerts/codes, number of reperfusions, and number of thrombectomies during the pandemic compared to those during the pre-pandemic period.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, EuropePMC, and Cochrane Central databases. The data of interest were the number of strokes, reperfusions, and mechanical thrombectomies during the COVID-19 pandemic versus that during the pre-pandemic period (in a historical comparator group over a specified period of same period length).

RESULTS

The study included 59,233 subjects from 9 studies. Meta-analysis showed that the number of stroke alerts during the pandemic was 64% (56-71%) of that during the pre-pandemic period. The number of reperfusion therapies during the pandemic was 69% (61-77%) of that during the pre-pandemic period. Pooled analysis showed that the number of mechanical thrombectomies performed during the pandemic was 78% (75-80%) of that during the pre-pandemic period. The number of mechanical thrombectomies per stroke patient was higher during the pandemic (OR 1.23 [1.12-1.36], p < 0.001; I2: 0%, p = 0.845).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed that the number of stroke alerts, reperfusions, and mechanical thrombectomies was reduced by 36%, 31%, and 22%, respectively, during the pandemic. However, the number of patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy per stroke increased.

The Association Between Chronic Kidney Disease and New Onset Renal Replacement Therapy on the Outcome of COVID-19 Patients: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and new onset renal replacement therapy (RRT) with the outcome of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients.

METHODOLOGY

A systematic literature search from several databases was performed on studies that assessed CKD, use of RRT, and the outcome of COVID-19. The composite of poor outcome consisted of mortality, severe COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), need for intensive care, and use of mechanical ventilator.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies with a total of 7216 patients were included. CKD was associated with increased composite poor outcome (RR 2.63 [1.33, 5.17], P = .03; I 2 = 51%, P = .01) and its subgroup, consisting of mortality (RR 3.47 [1.36, 8.86], P = .009; I 2 = 14%, P = .32) and severe COVID-19 (RR 2.89 [0.98, 8.46], P = .05; I 2 = 57%, P = .04). RRT was associated with increased composite poor outcome (RR 18.04 [4.44, 73.25], P < .001; I 2 = 87%, P < .001), including mortality (RR 26.02 [5.01, 135.13], P < .001; I 2 = 60%, P = .06), severe COVID-19 (RR 12.95 [1.93, 86.82], P = .008; I 2 = 81%, P < .001), intensive care (IC) (RR 14.22 [1.76, 114.62], P < .01; I 2 = 0%, P < .98), and use of mechanical ventilator (RR 34.39 [4.63, 255.51], P < .0005).

CONCLUSION

CKD and new-onset RRT were associated with poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

The use of renin angiotensin system inhibitor on mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

and Aims; To investigate the association between use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) and outcomes of hypertensive COVID-19 patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EuropePMC, ProQuest, and Cochrane Central Databases using the terms "(COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2) AND (angiotensin converting enzyme OR angiotensin receptor blocker)". The primary and second outcomes were mortality (non-survivor) and severe COVID-19, respectively.

RESULTS

Totally, 7410 patients were included from 15 studies. Pooled analysis showed that the use of ACEI/ARB was not associated with mortality (OR 0.73 [0.38, 1.40], p = 0.34; I2: 81%) and severity (OR 1.03 [0.73, 1.45], p = 0.87; I2: 65%). Pooled adjusted OR showed no risk/benefit associated with ACEI/ARB use in terms of mortality (OR 0.83 [0.54, 1.27], p = 0.38; I2: 0%). Subgroup analysis showed that the use of ARB was associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.51 [0.29, 0.90], p = 0.02; I2: 22%) but not ACEI subgroup (OR 0.68 [0.39, 1.17], p = 0.16; I2: 0%). Meta-regression showed that the association between ACEI/ARB use and mortality in patients with COVID-19 do not varies by gender (p = 0.104). GRADE showed a very low certainty of evidence for effect of ACEI/ARB on mortality and severity. The certainty of evidence was very low for both ACEI and ARB subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Administration of a renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor, was not associated with increased mortality or severity of COVID-19 in patients with hypertension. Specifically, ARB and not ACEI use, was associated with lower mortality.

The Potential Role of Dyslipidemia in COVID-19 Severity: an Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the available knowledge about the potential association between dyslipidemia and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as reported in previous published systematic reviews.

METHODS

In this umbrella review (an overview of systematic reviews), we investigated the association between dyslipidemia and COVID-19 severity. A systematic search was performed of 4 main electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases) from inception until August 2020. We evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 tool and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the quality of evidence for the outcome. In addition, we evaluated the strengths and limitations of the evidence and the methodological quality of the available studies.

RESULTS

Out of 35 articles identified, 2 systematic reviews were included in the umbrella review. A total of 7,951 COVID-19-positive patients were included. According to the AMSTAR 2 criteria and GRADE system, the quality of the included studies was not high. A history of dyslipidemia is likely to be associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection, but the contrary is the case for cholesterol levels at hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Although existing research on dyslipidemia and COVID-19 is limited, our findings suggest that dyslipidemia may play a role in the severity of COVID-19 infection. More adequately powered studies are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020205979.

Incidence and impact of cardiac arrhythmias in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that cardiac arrhythmias may occur in up to 44% of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been associated with an increased risk of death. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 and their implications on patient prognosis.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, SCOPUS, Europe PMC, Cochrane Central Databases, and Google Scholar + Preprint Servers. The primary endpoint of the study was poor outcomes including mortality, severe COVID-19, and the need for ICU care.

RESULTS

A total of 4 studies including 784 patients were analyzed. The incidence of arrhythmia in patients with COVID-19 was 19% (9-28%; I2: 91.45). Arrhythmia occurred in 48% (38-57%; I2: 48.08) of patients with poor outcome and 6% (1-12%; I2: 85.33%) of patients without poor outcome. Patients with COVID-19 experiencing arrhythmia had an increased risk of poor outcome (RR 7.96 [3.77, 16.81], p < 0.001; I2: 71.1%). The funnel-plot analysis showed an asymmetrical funnel plot with most of the studies on the right side of the effect estimate. The regression-based Egger's test showed indication of small-study effects (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cardiac arrhythmias were significantly associated with an increased risk of poor outcome in COVID-19. Arrhythmias were observed in 19% of patients with COVID-19 and in 48% of patients with COVID-19 and poor outcomes.

Impact of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases on mortality and severity of COVID-19-systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the latest evidence on the association between cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular diseases and poor outcome in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC, and Cochrane Central Database. The outcome of interest was composite poor outcome that comprised of mortality and severe COVID-19.

RESULTS

A total of 4448 patients were obtained from 16 studies. Cerebrovascular disease was associated with an increased composite poor outcome (RR 2.04 [1.43,2.91], p<0.001; I2: 77%). Subgroup analysis revealed that cerebrovascular disease was associated with mortality (RR 2.38 [1.92,2.96], p<0.001; I2: 0%) and showed borderline significance for severe COVID-19 (RR 1.88 [1.00,3.51], p = 0.05; I2: 87%). Cardiovascular disease was associated with increased composite poor outcome (RR 2.23 [1.71,2.91], p<0.001; I2: 60%), mortality (RR 2.25 [1.53,3.29], p<0.001; I2: 33%) and severe COVID-19 (RR 2.25 [1.51,3.36], p<0.001; I2: 76%). Meta-regression demonstrate that the association was not influenced by gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory comorbidities. Furthermore, the association between cerebrovascular disease and poor outcome was not affected by cardiovascular diseases and vice versa.

CONCLUSION

Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases were associated with an increased risk for poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

Based on the available publications, the article systematizes the forms of damage to the central nervous system in СOVID-19patients. Along with a description of clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, methods of laboratory, instrumental and radiological diagnosis with the discussion of the nosological forms. An interdisciplinary approach and international cooperation are required to study the problems pathogenesis, course, outcomes, and the development of new methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Multiorgan Failure With Emphasis on Acute Kidney Injury and Severity of COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in hematologic, biochemical, and immunologic biomarkers have been shown to be associated with severity and mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, early evaluation and monitoring of both liver and kidney functions, as well as hematologic parameters, are pivotal to forecast the progression of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between several complications, including acute kidney injury (AKI), acute liver injury (ALI), and coagulopathy, with poor outcomes in COVID-19.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

Observational studies reporting AKI, ALI, and coagulopathy along with the outcomes of clinically validated death, severe COVID-19, or intensive care unit (ICU) care were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were abstract-only publications, review articles, commentaries, letters, case reports, non-English language articles, and studies that did not report key exposures or outcomes of interest.

PATIENTS

Adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

MEASUREMENTS

Data extracted included author, year, study design, age, sex, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory comorbidities, chronic kidney disease, mortality, severe COVID-19, and need for ICU care.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC, and the Cochrane Central Database. AKI and ALI follow the definition of the included studies. Coagulopathy refers to the coagulopathy or disseminated intravascular coagulation defined in the included studies. The outcome of interest was a composite of mortality, need for ICU care, and severe COVID-19. We used random-effects models regardless of heterogeneity to calculate risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous variables. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2. Random effects meta-regression was conducted for comorbidities and the analysis was performed for one covariate at a time.

RESULTS

There were 3615 patients from 15 studies. The mean Newcastle-Ottawa scale of the included studies was 7.3 ± 1.2. The AKI was associated with an increased the composite outcome (RR: 10.55 [7.68, 14.50], P < .001; I 2: 0%). Subgroup analysis showed that AKI was associated with increased mortality (RR: 13.38 [8.15, 21.95], P < .001; I 2: 24%), severe COVID-19 (RR: 8.12 [4.43, 14.86], P < .001; I 2: 0%), and the need for ICU care (RR: 5.90 [1.32, 26.35], P = .02; I 2: 0%). The ALI was associated with increased mortality (RR: 4.02 [1.51, 10.68], P = .005; I 2: 88%) in COVID-19. Mortality was higher in COVID-19 with coagulopathy (RR: 7.55 [3.24, 17.59], P < .001; I 2: 69%). The AKI was associated with the composite outcome and was not influenced by age (P = .182), sex (P = .104), hypertension (P = .788), cardiovascular diseases (P = .068), diabetes (P = .097), respiratory comorbidity (P = .762), and chronic kidney disease (P = .77).

LIMITATIONS

There are several limitations of this study. Many of these studies did not define the extent of AKI (grade), which may affect the outcome. Acute liver injury and coagulopathy were not defined in most of the studies. The definition of severe COVID-19 differed across studies. Several articles included in the study were published at preprint servers and are not yet peer-reviewed. Most of the studies were from China; thus, some patients might overlap across the reports. Most of the included studies were retrospective in design.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis showed that the presence of AKI, ALI, and coagulopathy was associated with poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

Lymphopenia in severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Clinical and laboratory biomarkers to predict the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are essential in this pandemic situation of which resource allocation must be urgently prepared especially in the context of respiratory support readiness. Lymphocyte count has been a marker of interest since the first COVID-19 publication. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to investigate the association of lymphocyte count on admission and the severity of COVID-19. We would also like to analyze whether patient characteristics such as age and comorbidities affect the relationship between lymphocyte count and COVID-19.

METHODS

Comprehensive and systematic literature search was performed from PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC, ProQuest, Cochrane Central Databases, and Google Scholar. Research articles in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with information on lymphocyte count and several outcomes of interest, including mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) care, and severe COVID-19, were included in the analysis. Inverse variance method was used to obtain mean differences and its standard deviations. Maentel-Haenszel formula was used to calculate dichotomous variables to obtain odds ratios (ORs) along with its 95% confidence intervals. Random-effect models were used for meta-analysis regardless of heterogeneity. Restricted-maximum likelihood random-effects meta-regression was performed for age, gender, cardiac comorbidity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and smoking.

RESULTS

There were a total of 3099 patients from 24 studies. Meta-analysis showed that patients with poor outcome have a lower lymphocyte count (mean difference - 361.06 μL [- 439.18, - 282.95], p < 0.001; I 2 84%) compared to those with good outcome. Subgroup analysis showed lower lymphocyte count in patients who died (mean difference - 395.35 μL [- 165.64, - 625.07], p < 0.001; I 2 87%), experienced ARDS (mean difference - 377.56 μL [- 271.89, - 483.22], p < 0.001; I 2 0%), received ICU care (mean difference - 376.53 μL [- 682.84, - 70.22], p = 0.02; I 2 89%), and have severe COVID-19 (mean difference - 353.34 μL [- 250.94, - 455.73], p < 0.001; I 2 85%). Lymphopenia was associated with severe COVID-19 (OR 3.70 [2.44, 5.63], p < 0.001; I 2 40%). Meta-regression showed that the association between lymphocyte count and composite poor outcome was affected by age (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed that lymphopenia on admission was associated with poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and ferritin in severe coronavirus disease-2019: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients critically ill with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) feature hyperinflammation, and the associated biomarkers may be beneficial for risk stratification. We aimed to investigate the association between several biomarkers, including serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, and serum ferritin, and COVID-19 severity.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive systematic literature search through electronic databases. The outcome of interest for this study was the composite poor outcome, which comprises mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome, need for care in an intensive care unit, and severe COVID-19.

RESULTS

A total of 5350 patients were pooled from 25 studies. Elevated CRP was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [risk ratio (RR) 1.84 (1.45, 2.33), p < 0.001; I2: 96%] and its severe COVID-19 (RR 1.41; I2: 93%) subgroup. A CRP ⩾10 mg/L has a 51% sensitivity, 88% specificity, likelihood ratio (LR) + of 4.1, LR- of 0.5, and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.84. An elevated PCT was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [RR 3.92 (2.42, 6.35), p < 0.001; I2: 85%] and its mortality (RR 6.26; I2: 96%) and severe COVID-19 (RR 3.93; I2: 63%) subgroups. A PCT ⩾0.5 ng/ml has an 88% sensitivity, 68% specificity, LR+ of 2.7, LR- of 0.2, and an AUC of 0.88. An elevated D-dimer was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [RR 2.93 (2.14, 4.01), p < 0.001; I2: 77%], including its mortality (RR 4.15; I2: 83%) and severe COVID-19 (RR 2.42; I2: 58%) subgroups. A D-dimer >0.5 mg/L has a 58% sensitivity, 69% specificity, LR+ of 1.8, LR- of 0.6, and an AUC of 0.69. Patients with a composite poor outcome had a higher serum ferritin with a standardized mean difference of 0.90 (0.64, 1.15), p < 0.0001; I2: 76%.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed that an elevated serum CRP, PCT, D-dimer, and ferritin were associated with a poor outcome in COVID-19. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.