Clinical and treatment factors associated with the mortality of COVID-19 patients admitted to a referral hospital in Indonesia

BA.5 sub-lineages associated with higher severity of COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Objectives

We aimed to compare the clinical severity and outcome among laboratory-confirmed Omicron variant cases admitted between January and December 2022.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital between January and December 2022. We enrolled patients aged ≥18 years with laboratory-confirmed Omicron infection. Data were collected from clinical records and a whole genome sequencing database. We compared the risk of severe symptoms and mortality using a logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, comorbidities, and vaccination status.

Results

We enrolled 255 patients and the main sub-lineages were BA.1 (16.1%), BA.2 (11.4%), BA.5 (35.7%), XBB (22.7%), and BQ.1 (14.1%). Compared with BA.1/BA.2, BA.5 sub-lineages were associated with severe symptoms (adjusted odds ratio of 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1-8.2, P <0.05). The highest risk of severe symptoms and mortality was linked with a high number of comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio of 7.8, 95% confidence interval 1.7-22.4, P <0.05). Booster vaccination was protective of severity and mortality.

Conclusions

Disease severity was associated with BA.5 sub-lineages and multiple comorbidities. Good management is particularly important for people with comorbidities. Furthermore, booster vaccination is also required to reduce severity and mortality.

Accuracy of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody in Comparison with Surrogate Viral Neutralization Test in Persons Living with HIV, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Chronic Kidney Disease

The presence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2-RBD antibody (anti-RBD) prevents severe COVID-19. We aimed to determine the accuracy of a point-of-care anti-RBD testing implemented in persons living with HIV (PLWH), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We enrolled 182 non-comorbid subjects and 335 comorbid subjects (PLWH, SLE, CKD) to test the anti-RBD assay compared to the surrogate viral neutralization test (sVNT) as the reference test. We performed linear correlation analysis between anti-RBD and sVNT, along with an ROC analysis to ascertain the anti-RBD cutoff at 30%, 60%, and 90% inhibition of sVNT, to calculate accuracy. The correlations between anti-RBD and sVNT among all groups were excellent, with R = 0.7903, R = 0.7843, and R = 0.8153 among the non-comorbid, SLE, and CKD groups, respectively, and with significantly higher correlation among the PLWH group (R = 0.8877; p-value = 0.0072) compared to the non-comorbid group. The accuracy of the anti-RBD test among the PLWH and CKD groups was similar to that among the non-comorbid group but showed lower sensitivity in the SLE group (p = 0.000014). The specificity of the test remained high in all groups. In conclusion, the anti-RBD test had excellent correlation with the sVNT. The persistently high specificity in all groups suggests that this test can be reliably utilized to detect the presence of low neutralization capacity, prompting additional vaccination.

Factors associated with the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms among cohorts in community- or home-isolation care in southern Thailand

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with time-to-referral due to worsening symptoms in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in southern Thailand. While underlying diseases have been evaluated to assess COVID-19 severity, the influence of vaccinations and treatments is also crucial.

Methods

A cohort of 8,638 patients quarantined in home or community isolation with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was analyzed. Survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazard ratio were employed to assess factors influencing time-toreferral.

Results

Age ≥ 60 years, neurologic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and human immunodeficiency virus infection were identified as significant risk factors for severe COVID-19 referral. Patients who received full- or booster-dose vaccinations had a lower risk of experiencing severe symptoms compared to unvaccinated patients. Notably, individuals vaccinated during the Omicron-dominant period had a substantially lower time-to-referral than those unvaccinated during the Delta-dominant period. Moreover, patients vaccinated between 1 and 6 months prior to infection had a significantly lower risk of time-to-referral than the reference group.

Discussion

These findings demonstrate early intervention in high-risk COVID-19 patients and the importance of vaccination efficacy to reduce symptom severity. The study provides valuable insights for guiding future epidemic management strategies and optimising patient care during infectious disease outbreaks.

Identified Factors in COVID-19 Patients in Predicting Mortality

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a significant increase in global mortality rates. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 cases. In these studies, overall mortality was evaluated in patients, and no distinction was made as ward or intensive care mortality.

AIM

This study aims to determine mortality-related factors in patients who died while in the ward. This could enable us to review the indications for intensive care hospitalization in possible pandemics.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 237 patients who applied to our institution between January 2020 and December 2021 with the diagnosis of COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, length of stay, type of admission (emergency ward or outpatient clinic), presence of comorbidities, thoracic computerized tomography (CT) findings, and laboratory findings were extracted from the hospital database. The demographic and laboratory results of both deceased and recovered patients were compared.

RESULTS

While many demographic and laboratory findings were statistically significant in the initial analysis, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that decreased albumin levels (adjusted OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09 - 0.57), increased troponin (adjusted OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.02 - 1.05), and procalcitonin (adjusted OR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.04 - 11.47) levels and higher partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.09 - 1.28) values, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients (adjusted OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.01 - 4.69, P = 0.047), and admission to hospital from the emergency department (adjusted OR = 5.15, 95% CI = 1.45 - 18.27, P = 0.011) were significantly associated with mortality when adjusted for age. When a predictive model is constructed with these variables, this model predicted mortality statistically significant (AUC = 0.904, 95% CI = 0.856 - 0.938, P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 77.2% (95% CI, 67.8 - 85), a specificity of 91.2% (95% CI, 85.1 - 95.4), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 86.7% (95% CI, 72 - 85.3), and an negative predictive value (NPV) of 84.4% (95% CI, 79.4 - 89.6).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we may predict mortality among COVID-19-diagnosed patients admitted to the ward via this model which has the potential to provide guidance for reconsidering the indications for intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

A Study on Mortality Predictors in Hemodialysis Patients Infected with COVID-19: Impact of Vaccination Status

The global outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has prompted significant public health concerns. This study focuses on 442 chronic hemodialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19, emphasizing the impact of vaccination status on clinical outcomes. The study investigates the correlation between vaccination status and laboratory findings, aiming to identify predictive factors for mortality. Results indicate that vaccination status plays a crucial role in outcomes. Full vaccination, evidenced by two or three doses, is associated with better outcomes, including reduced incidence of bilateral pneumonia and lower risks of complications such as hemorrhage and thrombosis. Laboratory analyses reveal significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in parameters like C-reactive protein, ferritin, and white blood cell counts. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identify several factors influencing mortality, including comorbidities, pneumonia development, and various inflammatory markers. In conclusion among hemodialysis patients affected by COVID-19 infection, vaccination with at least three doses emerges as a protective factor against fatal outcomes. Independent predictors of mortality are CRP levels upon admission, maximum CRP values during the illness and cardiovascular comorbidities. Noteworthy lymphocytopenia during infection exhibits a notable level of specificity and sensitivity in predicting mortality.

Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection in Hemodialysis Patients: A Single-Center Study in China

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and prognostic factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

All admitted HD patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 from December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023, were included. Patients with pneumonia were further classified into the mild, moderate, severe, and critical illness. Clinical symptoms, laboratory results, radiologic findings, treatment, and clinical outcomes were collected. Independent risk factors for progression to critical disease and in-hospital mortality were determined by the multivariate regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic analysis with the area under the curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of developing critical status and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 182 COVID-19 patients with HD were included, with an average age of the 61.55 years. Out of the total, 84 (46.1%) patients did not have pneumonia and 98 (53.8%) patients had pneumonia. Among patients with pneumonia, 48 (49.0%) had moderate illness, 26 (26.5%) severe illness, and 24 (24.5%) critical illness, respectively. Elder age [HR (95% CI): 1.07 (1.01-1.13), p <0.01], increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [1.01 (1.003-1.01), p <0.01], and C-reactive protein (CRP) [1.01 (1.00-1.01), p = 0.04] were risk factors for developing critical illness. Elder age [1.11 (1.03-1.19), p = 0.01], increased procalcitonin (PCT) [1.07 (1.02-1.12), p = 0.01], and LDH level [1.004 (1-1.01), p = 0.03] were factors associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

Age, CRP, PCT, and LDH can be used to predict negative clinical outcomes for HD patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Challenges in the Vaccination of the Elderly and Strategies for Improvement

In recent years, the elderly has become a rapidly growing proportion of the world's population as life expectancy is extending. Immunosenescence and inflammaging contribute to the increased risk of chronic non-communicable and acute infectious diseases. Frailty is highly prevalent in the elderly and is associated with an impaired immune response, a higher propensity to infection, and a lower response to vaccines. Additionally, the presence of uncontrolled comorbid diseases in the elderly also contributes to sarcopenia and frailty. Vaccine-preventable diseases that threaten the elderly include influenza, pneumococcal infection, herpes zoster, and COVID-19, which contribute to significant disability-adjusted life years lost. Previous studies had shown that conventional vaccines only yielded suboptimal protection that wanes rapidly in a shorter time. This article reviews published papers on several vaccination strategies that were developed for the elderly to solve these problems: more immunogenic vaccine formulations using larger doses of antigen, stronger vaccine adjuvants, recombinant subunit or protein conjugated vaccines, newly developed mRNA vaccines, giving booster shots, and exploring alternative routes of administration. Included also are several publications on senolytic medications under investigation to boost the immune system and vaccine response in the elderly. With all those in regard, the currently recommended vaccines for the elderly are presented.