Clinical characteristics and analysis of risk factors for disease progression of patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection: A retrospective study of 25207 cases in a Fangcang hospital

Update on Omicron variant and its threat to vulnerable populations

Objective

To reduce the incidence of severe illness and fatalities, and promote the awareness of protection and precaution, increased vaccination, strengthen the physical fitness, frequent ventilation, and health education should be enhanced among vulnerable populations as essential measures for the future control of COVID-19.

Study design

Systematic review.

Method

The search was done using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies without language restrictions, published up through March 2023, since their authoritative and comprehensive literature search database. Eighty articles were included. Extraction of articles and quality assessment of included reviews was performed independently by two authors using the AMSTAR 2 score.

Results

The articles in the final data set included research on epidemiological characteristics, pathogenicity, available vaccines, treatments and epidemiological features in special populations including the elders, pregnant women, kids, people with chronic diseases concerning Omicron.

Conclusion

Although less pathogenic potential is found in Omicron, highly mutated forms have enhanced the ability of immune evasion and resistance to existing vaccines compared with former variants. Severe complications and outcomes may occur in vulnerable populations. Infected pregnant women are more likely to give birth prematurely, and fatal implications in children infected with Omicron are hyperimmune response and severe neurological disorders. In immunocompromised patients, there is a greater reported mortality and complication compared to patients with normal immune systems. Therefore, maintain social distancing, wear masks, and receive vaccinations are effective long-term measures.

Effectiveness of Molnupiravir Treatment in Patients with COVID-19 in Korea: A Propensity Score Matched Study

BACKGROUND

The MOVe-OUT (efficacy and safety of molnupiravir [MK-4482] in non-hospitalized adult participants with COVID-19 [MK-4482-002]) trial reported that the administration of molnupiravir in unvaccinated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before the Omicron epidemic showed a preventive effect of 31% against hospitalization and death. However, studies on the preventive effect of molnupiravir against progression to severe disease and death in patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron epidemic are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of molnupiravir against severe/critical illness or death and death in Korean patients with COVID-19 who were vaccinated mostly during the Omicron epidemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used large-scale retrospective cohort data to select patients with COVID-19 who were either treated or not treated with molnupiravir, between August 2022 and March 2023, at a ratio of 1 : 4 using the propensity score matching method. In total, 762,768 patients comprised the non- administered group, and 190,692 patients comprised the molnupiravir-administered group. The preventive effect of molnupiravir against severe/critical illness or death and death was analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The preventive effect of molnupiravir against severe/critical illness or death and death, represented by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), in the molnupiravir-administered and non-administered group was (OR: 0.714; CI: 0.667 - 0.764) and (OR: 0.749; CI: 0.682 - 0.823), respectively. As age increased, the preventive effect against severe/critical illness or death and death increased. The preventive effect against severe/critical illness or death at ≥60 years was (OR: 0.669; CI: 0.624 - 0.717), at ≥70 years was (OR: 0.614; CI: 0.570 - 0.661), and at ≥80 years was (OR: 0.563; CI: 0.515 - 0.615). The preventive effect against death at ≥60 years was (OR: 0.729; CI: 0.663 - 0.802), at ≥70 years was (OR: 0.676; CI: 0.612 - 0.747), and at ≥80 years was (OR: 0.622; CI: 0.554 - 0.698).

CONCLUSION

Although molnupiravir showed a relatively weak preventive effect against severe/critical illness or death (29%) and death (25%) among patients with COVID-19, it exhibited a stronger protective effect in older patients than in younger patients. In particular, the preventive effect against severe/critical illness or death (44%) and death (38%) in those aged ≥80 years was pronounced. This study strongly suggests that molnupiravir administration can alleviate the burden on the medical system, and treat patients with COVID-19 effectively by reducing its progression to severe disease and death.

The Efficacy and Safety of Shashen-Maidong Decoction Combined with Western Medicine in the Treatment of Omicron Infected Individuals Over 85 Years Old: A Retrospective Study

Background

During the Omicron variant outbreak of COVID-19 (2022-2023), Chinese healthcare institutions combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medical practices to treat COVID-19 patients, especially the elderly. The efficacy and safety of this approach, especially for individuals aged over 85, need further investigation.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a cohort of 62 patients aged over 85 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, was examined. Among them, 34 patients were administered Shashen-Maidong decoction in conjunction with Western medicine (SMD+WM group), while the remaining 28 patients received only Western medicine (WM group). Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups, encompassing parameters such as the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality rate, utilization of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC), occurrence of endo-tracheal intubation, frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months, and various laboratory indicators.

Results

There were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, the length of ICU stay, mortality rate, utilization of HFNC, performance of endo-tracheal intubation, or the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months (P > 0.05). However, in comparison to the WM group, the SMD+WM group exhibited notably lower growth rates in white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEUT) values. Additionally, the SMD+WM group demonstrated superior improvement in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) values.

Conclusion

In contrast to the administration of Western medicine alone, the combined use of Shashen-Maidong decoction with Western medicine significantly suppresses the increase in WBC count, particularly in NEUT levels, in elderly patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Moreover, this combined treatment exhibits a protective effect on cardiac function and demonstrates a relatively safe profile.

Antibody response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after the booster immunization

BACKGROUND

The immunogenicity of booster inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has remained unclear. Our study aims to investigate the antibody response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine following booster vaccination in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

A total of 201 patients with T2DM and 102 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies, anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG, neutralizing antibody (NAb) toward SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT), and NAb toward SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 subvariant were measured to evaluate the vaccine-induced immunological responses.

RESULTS

The titers of anti-RBD-specific IgG (p = 0.018) and inhibition rates of NAb toward WT (p = 0.007) were significantly decreased in patients with T2DM compared to HCs after booster vaccination for more than 6 months. Both HCs and patients with T2DM showed poor resistance against BA.4/5 due to the detected inhibition rates being lower than the positive threshold. The levels of anti-RBD-specific IgG were positively associated with the proportions of CD3+ CD4- CD8- T cells (p = 0.045), and patients with T2DM who had anti-RBD-specific IgG positivity showed higher proportions of CD3+ CD4- CD8- T cells compared to those negative (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T2DM showed impaired antibody responses after booster vaccination for more than 6 months. Decreased anti-BA.4/5 responses give rise to the possibility of breakthrough infections for both patients with T2DM and HCs.

Clinical and virological features of asymptomatic and mild symptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection at Shanghai Fangcang shelter hospital

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare clinical and virological characteristics of asymptomatic and mild symptomatic patients of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.2.2 variant infection and identify risk factors associated with the prolonged viral negative conversion duration.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study in a Shanghai (China) Fangcang shelter hospital from April 9 to May 17, 2022. The patient-related demographic or clinical data were retrospectively recorded. Comparisons of demographic and clinical characteristics between asymptomatic and mild-symptomatic patients were performed. Cox regression was performed to identify the risk factors of prolonged viral negative conversion duration.

RESULTS

A total of 551 patients confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection were enrolled in the study. Of these, 297 patients (53.9%) were asymptomatic and 254 patients (46.1%) had mild symptoms. When comparing the clinical and virological characteristics between the asymptomatic and mild symptomatic groups, several clinical parameters, including age, gender, time to viral clearance from the first positive swab, chronic comorbidities, and vaccination dose did not show statistically significant differences. In mild symptomatic patients, the median viral negative conversion duration (NCD) was 7 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-9), which was comparable to the median of 7 days (IQR: 5-10) in asymptomatic patients (p = .943). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that patients age ≥ 60 years had a significantly higher hazard ratio (HR) for prolonged viral NCD (HR: 1.313; 95% confidence interval: 1.014-1.701, p = .039).

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with non-severe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.2 variant infection have similar clinical features and virological courses. Old age was an independent risk factor for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 conversion time.

Effectiveness of Paxlovid, an Oral Antiviral Drug, Against the Omicron BA.5 Variant in Korea: Severe Progression and Death Between July and November 2022

BACKGROUND

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral drug that received emergency use authorization in South Korea for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on January 14, 2022. Since the onset of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic, the virus has continued to evolve. The emergence of new variants has raised concerns about possible reductions in the effectiveness of vaccines and drugs. The effectiveness of Paxlovid in patients infected with the omicron variant and subvariants has not yet been determined. This study assessed the effectiveness of Paxlovid at reducing the risk of severe/critical illness or death and death in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 caused by omicron subvariant BA.5.

METHODS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, data on 8,902,726 patients were collected from four sources (the Drug Utilization Review database, COVID-19 Patient Information Management System, confirmed patient information, and basic epidemiological investigation data) between July 1 and November 30, 2022. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted, with adjustment for age, sex, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunity (vaccination), and comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 1,936,925 patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis, including 420,996 patients treated with Paxlovid, and 1,515,959 patients not treated with Paxlovid. Paxlovid treatment in patients aged ≥ 60 years of age was associated with significantly reduced risk of severe/critical illness or death (46.0%), and death rate (32.5%), and its effectiveness was high, regardless of vaccination status.

CONCLUSION

Paxlovid is effective at reducing the risk of death due to COVID-19 in patients with omicron BA.5 infection, especially in older patients, regardless of vaccination status. This suggests that older patients with COVID-19-related symptoms should be administered Paxlovid, regardless of their vaccination status, to reduce severity and risk of death.

Understanding clinical characteristics influencing adverse outcomes of Omicron infection: a retrospective study with propensity score matching from a Fangcang hospital

Objectives

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing global health concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate influence of clinical characteristics on outcomes during the Omicron outbreak.

Methods

A total of 25182 hospitalized patients were enrolled, including 39 severe patients and 25143 non-severe patients. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk of severe disease, as well as the risk of prolonged viral shedding time (VST) and increased length of hospital stay (LOS).

Results

Before PSM, patients in the severe group were older, had higher symptom scores, and had a higher proportion of comorbidities (p<0.001). After PSM, there were no significant differences in age, gender, symptom score and comorbidities between severe (n=39) and non-severe (n=156) patients. Symptoms of fever (OR=6.358, 95%CI 1.748-23.119, p=0.005) and diarrhea (OR=6.523, 95%CI 1.061-40.110, p=0.043) were independent risk factors for development of severe disease. In non-severe patients, higher symptom score was associated with prolonged VST (OR=1.056, 95% CI 1.000-1.115, p=0.049) and LOS (OR=1.128, 95% CI 1.039-1.225, p=0.004); older age was associated with longer LOS (OR=1.045, 95% CI 1.007-1.084, p=0.020).

Conclusion

The overall condition of the Shanghai Omicron epidemic was relatively mild. Potential risk factors for fever, diarrhea, and higher symptom score can help clinicians to predict clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Duration of viable virus shedding and polymerase chain reaction positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the upper respiratory tract: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the duration of viable virus shedding and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the upper respiratory tract.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science for original articles reporting the duration of viable virus shedding and PCR positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the upper respiratory tract from November 11, 2021 to December 11, 2022. This meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022357349). We used the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analyses to obtain the pooled value and the 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

We included 29 studies and 230,227 patients. The pooled duration of viable virus shedding of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the upper respiratory tract was 5.16 days (95% CI: 4.18-6.14), and the average duration of PCR positivity was 10.82 days (95% CI: 10.23-11.42). The duration of viable virus shedding and PCR positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in symptomatic patients was slightly higher than that in asymptomatic patients, but the difference was not significant (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION

The current study improves our understanding of the status of the literature on the duration of viable virus shedding and PCR positivity of Omicron in the upper respiratory tract. Our findings have implications for pandemic control strategies and infection control measures.

Safety and Efficacy of Paxlovid Against Omicron Variants of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Elderly Patients

INTRODUCTION

Elderly patients are the most affected and vulnerable to COVID-19 and effective therapeutic interventions are urgently required. We clarified the safety and efficacy of Paxlovid in the treatment of elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

Patients aged over 60 years and with mild to moderate COVID-19 were admitted to the Zhongshan Hospital MinHang MeiLong Branch, Fudan University and received either Paxlovid treatment or only conventional therapy, between April 1 and May 31, 2022. Viral shedding time, duration of hospital stay, disease progression, and adverse events were analyzed, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to detect the independent high-risk factors for COVID-19 progression in the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 163 (82 and 81 in the treatment and control groups, respectively) patients had a median age of 82 (71-89) years, and 89.0% had at least one concomitant disease. The duration of hospitalization reduced from 15 to 13 days, and viral shedding time reduced from 20 to 16.5 days after Paxlovid treatment. The differences of these two variables between the groups were significant (p < 0.01). Moreover, no serious adverse events or obvious changes in laboratory test results were observed in patients treated with Paxlovid. One patient (1.2%) treated with Paxlovid experienced rebound 56 days after negative measurement. Multivariate analysis showed that Paxlovid therapy, age, hemoglobin, and nucleic acid Ct values at admission were independent risk factors for hospitalization within 14 days, and the differences were significant (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The use of Paxlovid in elderly patients may promote recovery from COVID-19 and reduce the viral load without adverse events.

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