Association Between Average Plasma Potassium Levels and 30-day Mortality During Hospitalization in Patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China

Association of Serum Potassium Variability With 60-day Mortality and Cardiovascular Events after COVID-19 Infection in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum potassium variability and 60-day mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on MHD patients treated at the affiliated hospital of Qingdao University hemodialysis center who were infected with the novel coronavirus between December 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. Baseline characteristics of patients were collected from electronic medical records. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to obtain patient survival probabilities, and multivariate Cox hazard regression models and binary Logistic regression models were used to obtain hazard ratios (HR), odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) between exposure and outcomes. Results: A total of 296 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 57.2±16.3 years, and 59.8% were male. The 60-day mortality rate was 10.8%, and the incidence of CVD was 32.8%. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that a higher potassium variability coefficient was associated with higher all-cause mortality (P = 0.024). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the HR for 60-day mortality in the Q4 group compared to the Q1 group was 2.06 (95% CI = 1.03-4.09, P = 0.040), and binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the OR for 60-day CVD in the Q4 group compared to the Q1 group was 4.09 (95% CI = 1.52-10.97, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Increased serum potassium variability in MHD patients after COVID-19 infection significantly increased the likelihood of 60-day mortality and CVD.

On-admission and dynamic trend of laboratory profiles as prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19 inpatients

This large-scale study aimed to investigate the trend of laboratory tests of patients with COVID-19. Hospitalized confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients in three general hospitals were examined from March 20, 2020, to June 18, 2021. The confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients with known outcomes and valid laboratory results were included. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression were used to select admittance prognostic features. Parallel Pairwise Comparison of mortality versus survival was used to examine the trend of markers. In the final cohort, 11,944 patients were enrolled, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 21.8%, mean age of 59.4 ± 18.0, and a male-to-female ratio of 1.3. Abnormal admittance level of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, mean cellular volume, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, creatine kinase-myoglobin binding, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Troponin, c-reactive protein (CRP), potassium, and creatinine phosphokinase reduced the survival of COVID-19 inpatients. Moreover, the trend analysis showed lymphocytes, platelet, urea, CRP, alanine transaminase (ALT), and LDH have a dissimilar trend in non-survivors compared to survived patients. This study proposed a novel approach to find serial laboratory markers. Serial examination of platelet count, creatinine, CRP, LDH, and ALT can guide healthcare professionals in finding patients at risk of deterioration.

Nutritional deficiencies that may predispose to long COVID

Multiple nutritional deficiencies (MND) confound studies designed to assess the role of a single nutrient in contributing to the initiation and progression of disease states. Despite the perception of many healthcare practitioners, up to 25% of Americans are deficient in five-or-more essential nutrients. Stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic further increases the prevalence of deficiency states. Viral infections compete for crucial nutrients with immune cells. Viral replication and proliferation of immunocompetent cells critical to the host response require these essential nutrients, including zinc. Clinical studies have linked levels of more than 22 different dietary components to the likelihood of COVID-19 infection and the severity of the disease. People at higher risk of infection due to MND are also more likely to have long-term sequelae, known as Long COVID.

Endocrine and metabolic complications of COVID-19: lessons learned and future prospects

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is well known for its respiratory complications; however, it can also cause extrapulmonary manifestations, including cardiovascular, thrombotic, renal, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and endocrinological symptoms. Endocrinological complications of COVID-19 are rare but can considerably impact the outcome of the patients. Moreover, preexisting endocrinologic disorders can affect the severity of COVID-19. Thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, neuroendocrine, gonadal, and parathyroid glands are the main endocrinologic organs that can be targeted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Endocrinological complications of COVID-19 are rare but can significantly deteriorate the patients' prognosis. Understanding the interaction between COVID-19 and the endocrine system can provide a potential treatment option to improve the outcome of COVID-19. In this article, we aim to review the short-term and long-term organ-based endocrinological complications of COVID-19, the pathophysiology, the influence of each complication on COVID-19 prognosis, and potential therapeutic interventions based on current published data. Moreover, current clinical trials of potential endocrinological interventions to develop therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 have been discussed.

In-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization cost of COVID-19 patients with and without hyperkalemia

BACKGROUND

Hyperkalemia (HK) may be associated with poor clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HK and evaluate the associations between HK and in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay (LOS), and hospitalization cost among COVID-19 inpatients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large hospital discharge database (PINC AI Healthcare Database) for COVID-19 inpatients discharged between April 1 and August 31, 2020. HK was defined with discharge diagnosis and potassium binder use.

RESULTS

Of 192,182 COVID-19 inpatients, 12% (n = 22,702) had HK. HK patients were more likely to be older (median age 67 vs 63 years), male (63% vs 50%), black (30% vs 22%), and have a history of chronic kidney disease (45% vs 16%) or diabetes mellitus (55% vs 35%) than non-HK patients (all p<.001). A significantly higher proportion of patients with HK had in-hospital mortality (42% vs 11%, p<.001) than those without HK; this was persistent after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [_aOR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.62-1.77). Patients with HK were also more likely to be admitted to ICU (_aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09), incur higher cost of care (adjusted mean difference $5,389) and have longer LOS (adjusted mean difference 1.3 days) than non-HK patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of HK was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality, LOS, and cost of care among COVID-19 inpatients. Detecting and closely monitoring HK are recommended to improve clinical outcomes and reduce LOS and healthcare cost among COVID-19 patients.

The Mutual Relationship among Cardiovascular Diseases and COVID-19: Focus on Micronutrients Imbalance

Micronutrients are ions and vitamins humbly required by the human body. They play a main role in several physiological mechanisms and their imbalance is strongly associated with potentially-fatal complications. Micronutrient imbalance is associated with many cardiovascular diseases, such as arrythmias, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. It has been also observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in most severe patients. The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and COVID-19 is mutual: the latter triggers cardiovascular disease onset and worsening while patients with previous cardiovascular disease may develop a more severe form of COVID-19. In addition to the well-known pathophysiological mechanisms binding COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases together, increasing importance is being given to the impact of micronutrient alterations, often present during COVID-19 and able to affect the balance responsible for a good functioning of the cardiovascular system. In particular, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, and hypocalcemia are strongly associated with worse outcome, while vitamin A and D deficiency are associated with thromboembolic events in COVID-19. Thus, considering how frequent the cardiovascular involvement is in patients with COVID-19, and how it majorly affects their prognosis, this manuscript provides a comprehensive review on the role of micronutrient imbalance in the interconnection between COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases.

Potential Role of Certain Biomarkers Such as Vitamin B12, ROS, Albumin, as Early Predictors for Prognosis of COVID-19 Outcomes

COVID-19 disease is still a major global concern because of its morbidity and its mortality in severe disease. Certain biomarkers including Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), vitamins, and trace elements are known to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of the disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate how certain biomarkers, such as ROS, biochemical indicators, trace elements in serum blood of 139 COVID-19 hospitalized patients, and 60 non-COVID cases according to age and sex variations, can serve as the predictors for prognosis of COVID-19 outcome. An attempt of correlating these biomarkers with the severity of the disease as well as with each other is represented. All subjects were hospitalized from April 2021 until June 2021. A statistically significant increase of B12 levels (p = 0.0029) and ROS levels (p < 0.0001) as well as a decrease in albumin and Total Protein (T.P.) levels (p < 0.001) was observed especially in the early stage of the disease before CRP and ferritin elevation. Additionally, a statistically significant increase in ferritin (p = 0.007), B12 (p = 0.035, sALT p = 0.069, Glucose p = 0.012 and urea p = 0.096 and a decrease in Ca p = 0.005, T.P p = 0.052 albumin p = 0.046 between stage B (CRP values 6−30 mg/L) and C (CRP values 30−100 mg/L) was evident. Thus, this study concludes that clinicians could successfully employ biomarkers such as vitamin B12, ROS and albumin as possible prognosis tools for an early diagnosis. In addition, the total biochemical profile can assist in the understanding of the severity of COVID-19 disease, and could potentially lead to a better diet or early pharmaceutical treatment to prevent some of the more acute symptoms.

Incidence and risk factors for hyperkalaemia in patients treated for COVID-19 with nafamostat mesylate

What is known and objective

Nafamostat mesylate (NM) is used clinically in combination with antiviral drugs to treat coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). One of the adverse events of NM is hyperkalaemia due to inhibition of the amiloride‐sensitive sodium channels (ENaC). The incidence and risk factors for hyperkalaemia due to NM have been studied in patients with pancreatitis but not in COVID‐19. COVID‐19 can be associated with hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia, and SARS‐CoV‐2 is thought to inhibit ENaC. Therefore, frequency and risk factors for hyperkalaemia due to NM may differ between COVID‐19 and pancreatitis. Hyperkalaemia may worsen the respiratory condition of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for hyperkalaemia in COVID‐19 patients treated with favipiravir, dexamethasone and NM.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed the records of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients treated with favipiravir and dexamethasone, with or without NM, between March 2020 and January 2021. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for hyperkalaemia.

Results and Discussion

Of 45 patients who received favipiravir and dexamethasone with NM for the treatment of COVID‐19, 21 (47%) experienced hyperkalaemia. The duration of NM administration was a significant predictor of hyperkalaemia (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–2.31, p = 0.031). The receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis determined that the cut‐off value for predicting the number of days until the onset of hyperkalaemia was 6 days and the area under the curve was 0.707.

What is new and conclusion

This study revealed that the incidence of hyperkalaemia is high in patients treated for COVID‐19 with NM, and that the duration of NM administration is a key risk factor. When NM is administered for the treatment of COVID‐19, it should be discontinued within 6 days to minimize the risk of hyperkalaemia.

Early Biochemical Markers in Predicting the Clinical Outcome of COVID-19 Patients Admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital in Chhattisgarh, India

Introduction  An array of routinely accessible serum biomarkers was assessed to explore their overall impact on severity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019.

Materials and Methods  A retrospective analysis of 1,233 adults was conducted. The study groups comprised 127 nonsurvivors and 1,106 survivors. Data for demographic details, clinical presentations, and laboratory reports were recorded from the medical record section. The predictors were analyzed for their influence on mortality.

Results  The mean (+ standard deviation) age of the patients in the nonsurvivor group was 58.8 (13.8) years. The mean age (56.4 years) was highest in severe grade patients. The odds ratio for death was 2.72 times for patients above the age of 40 years. About 46% of nonsurvivors died within 5 days of admission. Males were found to be more prone to death than females by a factor of 1.36. Serum urea depicted highest sensitivity (85%) for nonsurvival at 52.5 mg/dL. Serum albumin (3.23 g/dL), albumin-to-globulin ratio (0.97), and C-reactive protein-to albumin ratio (CAR) (2.08) showed a sensitivity of more than 70% for mortality outcomes. The high hazard ratio (HR) for deceased patients with hyperkalemia was 2.419 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.96–2.99; p  < 0.001). The risk for nonsurvival was increased with elevated serum creatinine by 15.6% and uric acid by 21.7% ( p  < 0.001). The HR for hypoalbuminemia was 0.254 (95% CI: 0.196–0.33; p  < 0.001) and CAR was 1.319 (95% CI: 1.246–1.397; p  < 0.001). Saturation of oxygen ( p  < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase ( p  = 0.006), ferritin ( p  = 0.004), hyperuricemia ( p  = 0.027), hyperkalemia ( p  < 0.001), hypoalbuminemia ( p  = 0.002), and high CAR values (0.031) served as potential predictors for mortality.

Conclusion  Adjusting for all the predictor variables, serum uric acid, potassium, albumin, and CAR values at the time of admission were affirmed as the potential biomarkers for mortality.

The Effect of Vitamin C on Pathological Parameters and Survival Duration of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction

Vitamin C has been reported to have beneficial effects on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on pathological parameters and survival duration of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This clinical trial was conducted on 120 hospitalized critically ill patients infected with COVID-19. The intervention group (n = 31) received one capsule of 500 mg of vitamin C daily for 14 days. The control group (n = 69) received the same nutrition except for vitamin C supplements. Measurement of pathological and biochemical parameters was performed at baseline and after 2 weeks of the intervention.

Results

Following 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation, the level of serum K was significantly lower in the patients compared with the control group (3.93 vs. 4.21 mEq/L, p < 0.01). Vitamin C supplementation resulted in a higher mean survival duration compared with that of the control group (8 vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). There was a linear association between the number of days of vitamin C intake and survival duration (B = 1.66, p < 0.001). The vitamin C supplementation had no effect on blood glucose, mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), kidney function, cell blood count (CBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), albumin, hematocrit (Hct), and other serum electrolytes including sodium (Na), calcium, and phosphorus (P).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated the potential of vitamin C supplementation in enhancing the survival duration of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://www.irct.ir/trial/55074, identifier IRCT20151226025699N5.

The Association between Nutritional Status and In-Hospital Mortality of COVID-19 in Critically-Ill Patients in the ICU

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The impact of poor nutritional status on increased mortality and prolonged ICU (intensive care unit) stay in critically ill patients is well-documented. This study aims to assess how nutritional status and BMI (body mass index) affected in-hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and analysed medical records of 286 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland).

RESULTS

A total of 286 patients were analysed. In the sample group, 8% of patients who died had a BMI within the normal range, 46% were overweight, and 46% were obese. There was a statistically significantly higher death rate in men (73%) and those with BMIs between 25.0-29.9 (p = 0.011). Nonsurvivors had a statistically significantly higher HF (Heart Failure) rate (p = 0.037) and HT (hypertension) rate (p < 0.001). Furthermore, nonsurvivors were statistically significantly older (p < 0.001). The risk of death was higher in overweight patients (HR = 2.13; p = 0.038). Mortality was influenced by higher scores in parameters such as age (HR = 1.03; p = 0.001), NRS2002 (nutritional risk score, HR = 1.18; p = 0.019), PCT (procalcitonin, HR = 1.10; p < 0.001) and potassium level (HR = 1.40; p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Being overweight in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation increases their risk of death significantly. Additional factors indicating a higher risk of death include the patient's age, high PCT, potassium levels, and NRS ≥ 3 measured at the time of admission to the ICU.

Hypophosphatemia at Admission is Associated with Increased Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

Background

Electrolyte disturbances are commonly observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated with outcome in these patients. Our study was designed to examine whether hypophosphatemia is associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between January 30 and February 24, 2020 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, a hypophosphatemia group and a non-hypophosphatemia group, based on a serum phosphate level of 0.8 mmol/L. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between hypophosphatemia and mortality. A locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) curve was plotted to show the detailed association between mortality rate and serum phosphate level. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was drawn to compare the difference in cumulative survival between the two groups.

Results

Hypophosphatemia at admission occurred in 33 patients, with an incidence of 7.6%. The hypophosphatemia group had a significantly higher incidence of respiratory failure (54.5% vs 32.6%, p=0.013) and mortality (57.6% vs 15.2%, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age (OR=1.059, p<0.001), oxygen saturation (OR=0.733, p<0.001), white blood cells (OR=1.428, p<0.001), lymphocytes (OR=0.075, p<0.001) and hypophosphatemia (OR=3.636, p=0.015) were independently associated with mortality in the included patients. The hypophosphatemia group had significantly shorter survival than the non-hypophosphatemia group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Hypophosphatemia at admission is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. More attention and medical care should be given to COVID-19 patients with hypophosphatemia at admission.

How SARS-CoV-2 might affect potassium balance via impairing epithelial sodium channels?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Electrolyte disorders particularly potassium abnormalities have been repeatedly reported as common clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Here, we discuss how SARS-CoV-2 may affect potassium balance by impairing the activity of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). The first hypothesis could justify the incidence of hypokalemia. SARS-CoV-2 cell entry through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may enhance the activity of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) classical axis and further leading to over production of aldosterone. Aldosterone is capable of enhancing the activity of ENaC and resulting in potassium loss from epithelial cells. However, type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) is able to inhibit the ENaC, but it is utilized in the case of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, therefore the ENaC remains activated. The second hypothesis describe the incidence of hyperkalemia based on the key role of furin. Furin is necessary for cleaving both SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ENaC subunits. While the furin is hijacked by the virus, the decreased activity of ENaC would be expected, which causes retention of potassium ions and hyperkalemia. Given that the occurrence of hypokalemia is higher than hyperkalemia in COVID-19 patients, the first hypothesis may have greater impact on potassium levels. Further investigations are warranted to determine the exact role of ENaC in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.

Epidemiology, prognosis and management of potassium disorders in Covid-19

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently the largest health crisis facing most countries. Several factors have been linked with a poor prognosis for this disease, including demographic factors, pre-existing comorbidities and laboratory parameters such as white blood cell count, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and electrolytes. Electrolyte abnormalities particularly potassium disorders are common among Covid-19 patients. Based on our pooled analysis, hypokalemia and hyperkalemia occur in 24.3% and 4.15% of Covid-19 patients, respectively. Potassium level deviation from the normal range may increase the chances of unfavorable outcomes and even death. Therefore, this article reviewed the epidemiology of potassium disorders and explained how hypokalemia and hyperkalemia are capable of deteriorating cardiac outcomes and the prognosis of Covid-19 for infected patients. The article finishes by highlighting some important considerations in the management of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in these patients.

Comparing machine learning algorithms for predicting ICU admission and mortality in COVID-19

As predicting the trajectory of COVID-19 is challenging, machine learning models could assist physicians in identifying high-risk individuals. This study compares the performance of 18 machine learning algorithms for predicting ICU admission and mortality among COVID-19 patients. Using COVID-19 patient data from the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Healthcare database, we developed and internally validated models using patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) between March-April 2020 (n = 3597) and further validated them using temporally distinct individuals who presented to the ED between May-August 2020 (n = 1711). We show that ensemble-based models perform better than other model types at predicting both 5-day ICU admission and 28-day mortality from COVID-19. CRP, LDH, and O2 saturation were important for ICU admission models whereas eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages were the most important variables for predicting mortality. Implementing such models could help in clinical decision-making for future infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19.