Abstract
BACKGROUND: Currently, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide. A comparison of the two waves experienced to date is necessary to understand the evolution of this disease.METHODS: We performed a comparative analysis of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, the risk factors, and the outcomes of the first and second waves of Covid-19 among hospitalized patients in Aragon, Spain (one of the first European regions to experience the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic). We collected data on 5,220 consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from the Aragon Healthcare database. We also analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome in a subgroup of patients.FINDINGS: Patients hospitalized in the first wave (n=2,547) were older (74 y, IQR: 60-86 vs. 70 y, IQR: 53-85; pINTERPRETATION: The two Covid-19 pandemic waves experienced to date were different, in terms of the population affected, disease severity, and mortality among hospitalized patients.FUNDING STATEMENT: Instituto de Investigación en Salud (IIS) Aragón, Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón, ITAINNOVA.DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: All authors declare no competing interests.ETHICS APPROVAL STATEMENT: This protocol was approved by the regional Internal Review Board. Due to the retrospective observational nature of this study, data could be fully anonymized, and informed consent was waived.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
