Outcomes Of COVID-19 Patients Research Articles

A Registry-Based Observational Study on the Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients in Hong Kong

A Registry-Based Observational Study on the Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients in Hong Kong

Association between COVID-19 convalescent plasma antibody levels and COVID-19 outcomes stratified by clinical status at presentation

BackgroundThere is a need to understand the relationship between COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and clinical outcomes to optimize CCP use. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between recipient baseline clinical status, clinical outcomes, and CCP antibody levels.MethodsThe study analyzed data from the COMPILE study, a meta-analysis of pooled individual patient data from 8 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of CCP vs. control, in adults hospitalized for COVID-19 who were not receiving mechanical ventilation at randomization. SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, referred to as ‘dose’ of CCP treatment, were retrospectively measured in donor sera or the administered CCP, semi-quantitatively using the VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG chemiluminescent immunoassay (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics) with a signal-to-cutoff ratio (S/Co). The association between CCP dose and outcomes was investigated, treating dose as either continuous or categorized (higher vs. lower vs. control), stratified by recipient oxygen supplementation status at presentation.ResultsA total of 1714 participants were included in the study, 1138 control- and 576 CCP-treated patients for whom donor CCP anti-SARS-CoV2 antibody levels were available from the COMPILE study. For participants not receiving oxygen supplementation at baseline, higher-dose CCP (/control) was associated with a reduced risk of ventilation or death at day 14 (OR = 0.19, 95% CrI: [0.02, 1.70], posterior probability Pr(OR < 1) = 0.93) and day 28 mortality (OR = 0.27 [0.02, 2.53], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.87), compared to lower-dose CCP (/control) (ventilation or death at day 14 OR = 0.79 [0.07, 6.87], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.58; and day 28 mortality OR = 1.11 [0.10, 10.49], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.46), exhibiting a consistently positive CCP dose effect on clinical outcomes. For participants receiving oxygen at baseline, the dose-outcome relationship was less clear, although a potential benefit for day 28 mortality was observed with higher-dose CCP (/control) (OR = 0.66 [0.36, 1.13], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.93) compared to lower-dose CCP (/control) (OR = 1.14 [0.73, 1.78], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.28).ConclusionHigher-dose CCP is associated with its effectiveness in patients not initially receiving oxygen supplementation, however, further research is needed to understand the interplay between CCP anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients initially receiving oxygen supplementation.

Human TMPRSS2 and ACE2 genetic variability on COVID-19 outcomes in patients from Brazil

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are recognized as entry proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and recently their Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) have been studied in different populations to elucidate the impact on disease. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic SNP of ACE2 (rs35803318) and TMPRSS2 (rs2070788) genes in COVID-19 patients from Northeast Brazil compared with global populations, as well as the expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL). For ACE2 (rs35803318), we found 92.6% CC, 3.4% CT, and 4.0% TT genotype carriers in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Surprisingly, only the genotype frequencies of ACE2 SNP were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. For TMPRSS2 rs2070788, we found 22.3% GG, 50.7% AG, and 27% AA genotype carriers in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) revealed that rs35803318 was associated with an altered PIR gene expression, and rs2070788 was found to eQTLs association only with lung tissue. No significant association was identified between the genotype distribution of SNPs and the ‘patient's outcome. In conclusion, our results suggest that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 may not be protective factors for global populations, including the Brazilian population, since the presence of SNPs does not affect the ‘patient's outcome as described by other studies.

The Value of Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Severe COVID-19.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: We included severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital between December 2022 and June 2023. We used a logistic regression model to compare the use of UDCA and MSCs in the two distinct groups of improved and poor outcomes. It is noteworthy that the deterioration group encompassed instances of both death and abandonment of treatment. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the performance of the model. The aim was to assess the therapeutic effect of UDCA and MSCs on the outcome of severe COVID-19 patients. Results: A total of 167 patients with severe COVID-19 were included in this study. The analysis revealed that out of 42 patients (25.1%), 17 patients (10.2%) had taken UDCA, and 17 patients (10.2%) had used MSCs. Following a multivariable logistic regression, the results indicated a negative association between UDCA treatment (OR = 0.38 (0.16-0.91), p = 0.029), MSCs treatment (OR = 0.21 (0.07-0.65), p = 0.007), and the risk of severe COVID-19 mortality. Additionally, age showed a positive association with the risk of mortality (OR = 1.03 (1.01-1.07), p = 0.025). Conclusions: UDCA and MSCs have shown potential in improving the prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients and could be considered as additional treatments for COVID-19 in the future.

Association of dead space fraction to mortality in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS: A historical cohort observational study

ObjectiveTo assess the correlation of dead space fraction (VD/VT) measured through time capnography, corrected minute volume (CMV) and ventilation ratio (VR) with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. DesignObservational study of a historical cohort. SettingUniversity hospital in Medellin, Colombia. ParticipantsPatients aged 15 and above with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to the ICU and requiring mechanical ventilation. InterventionsMeasurement of VD/VT, CMV, and VR in COVID-19 patients. Main variables of interestVD/VT, CMV, VR, demographic data, oxygenation indices and ventilatory parameters. ResultsDuring the study period, 1047 COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation were analyzed, of whom 446 (42%) died. Deceased patients exhibited a higher prevalence of advanced age and obesity, elevated Charlson index, higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, as well as an increase in VD/VT ratio (0.27 in survivors and 0.31 in deceased) and minute ventilation volume on the first day of mechanical ventilation. The multivariate analysis revealed independent associations to in-hospital mortality, higher VD/VT (HR 1.24; 95%CI 1.003–1.525; p = 0.046), age (HR 1.024; 95%CI 1.014–1.034; p < 0.001), and SOFA score at onset (HR: 1.036; 95%CI: 1.001–1.07; p = 0.017). ConclusionsVD/VT demonstrated an association with mortality in COVID-19 patients with ARDS on mechanical ventilation. These findings suggest that VD/VT measurement may serve as a severity marker for the disease.

A Review on the Morbidity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients with Pre-existing Asthma in India

Abstract: The global epidemiology of asthma shows a complex association with COVID-19 regarding morbidity, comorbidity, and mortality. This study aimed to shed light on the relationship between COVID-19 and pre-existing asthma, specifically within the Indian context, considering the large population and significant burden of asthma. To review and integrate the available data on morbidity, comorbidity, and mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing asthma in India, fulltext articles were searched between December 1st, 2019 to April 20th, 2023, in Science Direct and PubMed on studies with COVID-19 patients suffering from asthma. A total of 893 articles were screened based on a certain inclusion criterion, and 15 full-text articles were eligible for the review. The studies included 10,239 participants comprising 73.47% (n= 7523) of COVID-19 patients. More males (n= 4993) were affected by COVID-19 infection compared to females (n= 2510). A total of 262 (3.48%) COVID-19 patients had pre-existing asthma, and 58 deaths (0.77%) were observed among them. South India exhibited the highest number of COVID-19 patients with asthma comorbidity (5.38%), while North India had the lowest number of COVID-19-infected patients with preexisting asthma (1.69%). The highest mortality was found among patients with asthma across India (7.14%), and the lowest mortality (0.12%) was reflected in cases from North India. This review showed less asthma comorbidity and mortality cases in COVID-19 patients in India. The study indicated higher COVID-19 infection rates in males. Regional disparities were observed in COVID-19 patients with asthma comorbidity and mortality. In contrast, few studies have reported higher asthma comorbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing asthma.

Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare and economic systems. The clinical manifestation of the disease varies from flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia and, in some cases, death. Melatonin and its metabolites play a crucial role in immunomodulation and possess anti-oxidative properties, capable of directly and indirectly scavenging reactive oxygen species. Objective: the aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of melatonin in the management of COVID-19 patients and its role in expediting the return of patients to their baseline health. Methodology: the literature review was conducted up to August 2022, resulting in the identification of 533 articles after sorting them by authors and year of publication. Following the removal of 223 duplicate articles, 310 abstracts were screened, leading to the exclusion of 281. Subsequently, 29 full-text studies were evaluated for eligibility, with 22 being excluded. Finally, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results: the findings revealed a noteworthy reduction in hospital stay among patients who received melatonin compared to those who received a placebo (standardized mean difference: -0.50, Standard error: 0.15, 95% CI: -0.80, -0.20, P value: 0.001). Melatonin was associated with a significant decrease in mortality in COVID-19 patients when compared to the placebo (Pooled RR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.56, P value: 0.002). However, there were no significant differences between melatonin and placebo regarding the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation, and the requirement for oxygen therapy. Conclusion: melatonin may decrease the mortality rate among patients with COVID-19. Melatonin may reduce the duration of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19. Melatonin had no effect on the following outcomes in COVID-19 patients: the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation and the need for oxygen therapy.

A longitudinal qualitative study on physician experience in managing multimorbidity across the COVID-19 pandemic in Odisha, India

While many studies have documented adverse impact of multiple chronic conditions or multimorbidity on COVID-19 outcomes in patients, there is scarcity of report on how physicians managed these patients. We investigated the experiences and challenges of clinicians in managing patients with multimorbidity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Odisha state, India. To understand the factors influencing illness management and the adaptive responses of physicians alongside the evolving pandemic, we followed a longitudinal qualitative study design. Twenty-three physicians comprising general practitioners, specialists, and intensivists, were telephonically interviewed in-depth. Saldana’s longitudinal qualitative data analysis method was employed for data analysis. COVID-19 pandemic initially diverted the attention of health systems, resulting in reduced care. With time, the physicians overcame fear, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability to COVID-19 and started prioritising patients with multimorbidity for treatment and vaccination. All physicians recommended teleconsultation and digital health records to benefit chronic illness care during future public health crises. The findings underscore the transformative potential of physician resilience and adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing patients with multimorbidity, incorporating teleconsultation, and implementing digital health records in healthcare systems to enhance chronic illness care and preparedness for future public health crises.

Bariatric surgery and COVID-19 outcomes: results from the PaTH to Health: Diabetes study

BackgroundObesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. Bariatric surgery (BSG) is an effective treatment of obesity through weight loss and may reduce COVID-19 severity. ObjectivesWe examined the effect of BSG on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with or at risk of T2DM. SettingElectronic health record data from the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network, a partnership of 5 health systems reviewed from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. MethodsAmbulatory and in-hospital patient encounters with COVID-19 diagnosis and obesity were identified. We constructed 2 patient groups: BSG and non-BSG (NBSG). The BSG group included patients with at least 1 encounter for the BSG procedure code and/or 1 BSG diagnosis code; the NBSG group included patients with no procedure or diagnosis code for BSG with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 or BMI ≥35 and at least 2 obesity-related co-morbidities. We matched 1 patient in the BSG group to 2 patients in the NBSG group based on age, gender (sex defined at birth), race and ethnicity, group (T2DM and at risk of T2DM), and site. The primary outcome was 30-day outcomes of COVID-19 severity. ResultsAfter matching, we found that patients with BSG had lower odds of respiratory failure (41%) and ventilation/intensive care unit (ICU) admission/death (52%). Patients in the BSG group had lower odds of hospitalization, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and the most severe COVID-19 outcomes combined (ventilation/ICU admission/death). T2DM was identified as a risk factor for COVID-19 severity in the BSG group. ConclusionsThis retrospective, matched-cohort analysis found BSG to have a protective effect against severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Asociación de fracción de espacio muerto con la mortalidad en pacientes con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda por COVID-19: Un estudio observacional de una cohorte histórica

ObjectiveTo assess the association between dead space fraction (VD/VT) measured through time capnography, corrected minute volume (CMV), and ventilation ratio (VR) with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. DesignObservational study of a historical cohort in an university hospital in Medellin, Colombia. ParticipantsPatients aged 15 and above with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to the ICU requiring mechanical ventilation; interventions: measurement of VD/VT, CMV, and VR in COVID-19 patients. Main variables of interestVD/VT, CMV, VR, demographic data, oxygenation index, and ventilatory parameters. ResultsDuring the study period, 1,047 COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation were analyzed, of whom 446 (42%) died. Deceased patients exhibited a higher prevalence of advanced age and obesity, elevated Charlson index, higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, as well as an increase in VD/VT ratio (0.27 in survivors and 0.31 in deceased) and minute ventilation volume on the first day of mechanical ventilation. Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations with in-hospital mortality, higher VD/VT (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.003-1.525; P=0.046), age (HR: 1.024; 95% CI: 1.014-1.034; P<0.001), and SOFA score at onset (HR: 1.036; 95% CI: 1.001-1.07; P=0.017). ConclusionsVD/VT demonstrated an association with mortality in COVID-19 ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation. These findings suggest that VD/VT measurement may serve as a severity marker for the disease.

Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with sickle cell disease in French Guiana

ObjectivesFrench Guiana also suffered concrete epidemiological consequences of the SARS-CoV2 epidemic. These regions are home to a large number of sickle cell patients who are at risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and prognosis of patients with sickle disease infected with SARS-CoV2 during the first and second epidemic waves of 2020 in French Guiana. DesignWe conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study that included sickle cell patients followed up in French Guiana. ResultsAmong the 79 patients infected with SARS-CoV2, there were 26 children <18 years. Forty-two patients were hospitalized and 37 were outpatients. Respiratory illness (38 %), vaso-occlusive crises (18 %), and acute chest syndrome (8 %) were the main causes of hospitalization. There were two cases of pulmonary embolism and one case of deep limb thrombosis. Seven patients were transferred to the ICU. Of these, three received mechanical ventilation, and two died. The deceased patients had the SS phenotype (a 16-year-old boy and a 32-year-old man), both of whom exhibited severe pneumonitis complicated by COVID-19. ConclusionDespite the two deaths, the overall outcome was favorable.

The impact of smoking on COVID-19-related mortality: a Brazilian national cohort study

IntroductionCurrent evidence suggests the potential heightened vulnerability of smokers to severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes. AimsThis study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes and mortality related to tobacco use in a cohort of hospitalized Brazilian COVID-19 patients. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed adults hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil using the SIVEP-Gripe database (official data reported by public and private healthcare facilities for monitoring severe acute respiratory syndrome cases in Brazil). The inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years of age with a positive RT-qPCR test for SARS-CoV-2. The analysis focused on in-hospital mortality, considering smoking as an exposure variable, and included covariates such as age, gender, and comorbidities. Smoking history was collected from the self-reported field in the database. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, crude Odds Ratios, and multivariable binary logistic regression. ResultsThis study included 2,124,285 COVID-19 patients, among whom 44,774 (2.1 %) were smokers. The average age of the smokers was higher than that of the never-smokers (65.3 years vs. 59.7 years). The clinical outcomes revealed that smokers had higher rates of intensive care unit admission (51.6 % vs. 37.2 % for never-smokers), invasive ventilatory support (31.5 % vs. 20.2 % for never-smokers), and higher mortality (42.7 % vs. 31.8 % for never smokers). In the multivariable analysis, smokers demonstrated a heightened risk of death (aOR 1.23; 95 % CI 1.19–1.25). ConclusionsThis large populational-based cohort study confirms the current evidence and underscore the critical importance of recognizing smoking as a substantial risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Prognostic significance of chronic kidney disease and impaired renal function in Japanese patients with COVID-19

BackgroundRenal impairment is a predictor of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity. No studies have compared COVID-19 outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients with impaired renal function without a prior diagnosis of CKD. This study aimed to identify the impact of pre-existing impaired renal function without CKD on COVID-19 outcomes.MethodsThis retrospective study included 3,637 patients with COVID-19 classified into three groups by CKD history and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on referral: Group 1 (n = 2,460), normal renal function without a CKD history; Group 2 (n = 905), impaired renal function without a CKD history; and Group 3 (n = 272), history of CKD. We compared the clinical characteristics of these groups and assessed the effect of CKD and impaired renal function on critical outcomes (requirement for respiratory support with high-flow oxygen devices, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygen, and death during hospitalization) using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) and incidence of inflammatory responses (white blood counts, and C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and D-dimer levels) and complications (bacterial infection and heart failure) were higher in Groups 2 and 3 than that in Group 1. The incidence of critical outcomes was 10.8%, 17.7%, and 26.8% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mortality rate and the rate of requiring IMV support was lowest in Group 1 and highest in Group 3. Compared with Group 1, the risk of critical outcomes was higher in Group 2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.70, P = 0.030) and Group 3 (aOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.36–2.78, P < 0.001). Additionally, the eGFR was significantly associated with critical outcomes in Groups 2 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.64–4.98, P < 0.001) and 3 (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.08–3.23, P = 0.025) only.ConclusionsClinicians should consider pre-existing CKD and impaired renal function at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis for the management of COVID-19.

#1466 Age- and kidney function-dependent life expectancy of patients after COVID-19

Abstract Background and Aims The life expectancy among survivors of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be influenced by age, pre-existing health conditions, and the severity of the initial infection. This study aimed to investigate the life expectancy in patients that survived the acute phase of COVID-19 and the association with kidney function. Method Survival data of 649 unvaccinated patients from our previous study “Prospective Validation of a Proteomic Urine Test for Early and Accurate Prognosis of Critical Course Complications in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection” (CRIT-COV-U) [1] was collected until December 2023 in six different countries. These patients had been recruited within the first and second wave in 2020-2021 (mostly infected with wild-type virus) and had survived the acute phase of COVID-19 (CritCov-U study period 21 days after infection). The age dependent death rate in this cohort was compared to age- and sex-matched data of non-SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (n = 5192) extracted from human urinary database. The association of chronic kidney disease biomarker CKD273 with mortality was investigated in both cohorts using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox-regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with mortality in the COVID-19 population. Results Mortality was age dependent in both cohorts and markedly higher in patients who had survived the acute phase of COVID-19 in comparison to non-infected individuals (Fig. A-E). Within the first year after infection, mortality was up to 16.5 times higher in patients younger than 50 years in comparison to non-infected controls. Kidney status estimated by the CKD273 score was associated with a poor outcome in both COVID-19 patients and age- and sex-matched controls, respectively (Fig. F-G). The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality during the first year of follow-up for patients with the highest CKD273 score was 12.7, a huge increase in comparison to HR = 6.6 in the matched control group. In the Cox-regression model, CKD273 significantly contributed to death prediction, next to age and COVID-19 severity score at baseline. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first and second wave increased the risk of mortality in the follow-up period beyond the acute phase of the first 21 days. Kidney function appears to be a key element in the underlying molecular pathology of this process, indicating the importance of kidney-protective measures. Of note, among those who survived the acute phase of COVID-19, increase in mortality within the first year after infection compared to a non-infected control group was highest in the younger individuals.

ROX Index Variation as a Predictor of Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency departments were overcrowded with critically ill patients, and many providers were confronted with ethical dilemmas in assigning respiratory support to them due to scarce resources. Quick tools for evaluating patients upon admission were necessary, as many existing scores proved inaccurate in predicting outcomes. The ROX Index (RI), a rapid and straightforward scoring system reflecting respiratory status in acute respiratory failure patients, has shown promise in predicting outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The 24 h difference in the RI accurately gauges mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) among patients with COVID-19. Methods: Study design: Prospective cohort study. A total of 204 patients were admitted to the emergency department from May to August 2020. Data were collected from the clinical records. The RI was calculated at admission and 24 h later, and the difference was used to predict the association with mortality and the need for IMV, a logistic regression model was used to adjust for age, sex, presence of comorbidities, and disease severity. Finally, the data were analyzed using ROC. Results: The difference in respiratory RI between admission and 24 h is a good predictor for death (AUC 0.92) and for mechanic ventilation (AUC: 0.75). Each one-unit decrease in the RI difference at 24 h was associated with an odds ratio of 1.48 for the risk of death (95%CI: 1.31-1.67) and an odds ratio of 1.16 for IMV (95% IC: 1.1-1.23). Conclusions: The 24 h variation of RI is a good prediction tool to allow healthcare professionals to identify the patients who will benefit from invasive treatment, especially in low-resource settings.

Surveying haemoperfusion impact on COVID-19 from machine learning using Shapley values.

Haemoperfusion (HP) is an innovative extracorporeal therapy that utilizes special cartridges to filter the blood, effectively removing pro-inflammatory cytokines, toxins, and pathogens in COVID-19 patients. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the clinical benefits of HP for severe COVID-19 cases using Shapley values for machine learning models. The research involved 578 inpatients (≥ 20years old) admitted to Baqiyatallah hospital (Tehran, Iran). The control group (359 patients) received standard treatment, including high doses of corticosteroids (a single 500mg methylprednisolone pulse, followed by 250mg for 2days), categorized as regimen (I). On the other hand, the HP group (219 patients) received regimen II, consisting of the same corticosteroid treatment (regimen I) along with haemoperfusion using Cytosorb H300. The frequency of haemoperfusion sessions varied based on the type of lung involvement determined by chest CT scans. In addition, the value function defines the Shapley value of the th feature for the query point , where the input matrix features represent individual characteristics, drugs, and history and clinical conditions of the patient. Our data showed a favorable clinical response in the HP group compared to the control group. Notably, one-to-three sessions of HP using the CytoSorb® 300 cartridge led to reduced ventilation requirements and mortality rates in severe COVID-19 patients. Shapley values were calculated to evaluate the contribution of haemoperfusion among other factors, such as side effects, medications, and individual characteristics, to COVID-19 patient outcomes. In addition, there is a significant difference between the two groups among the treatments and medications used remdesivir, adalimumab, tocilizumab, favipiravir, Interferon beta-1a, enoxaparin prophylaxis, enoxaparin full dose, heparin prophylaxis, and heparin full dose (P < 0.05). It seems that haemoperfusion has a positive impact on the reduction of inflammation markers and renal functional such as ferritin and creatinine, respectively, as well as D-dimer and WBC levels in the HP group were significantly lower than the control group. The findings indicated that haemoperfusion played a crucial role in predicting patient survival, making it a significant feature in classifying patients' prognoses.

Elevated CRP and IL6 Levels Predict Severe Cardiovascular Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients

This study explores the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients. Utilizing an ELISA kit for IL-6 and standard tests for CRP, we analyzed 192 samples, finding higher infection rates among the 50-69 age group, with significant prevalence of morbid obesity. Results showed a strong correlation between elevated CRP and IL-6 levels and the severity of cardiovascular complications, particularly in critical cases. These findings suggest that monitoring these biomarkers could be crucial for early intervention and managing cardiovascular risks in COVID-19 patients, potentially improving patient outcomes in clinical settings. Highlights: Biomarker Correlation: Elevated CRP and IL-6 levels are linked to severe cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients. Risk Management: Monitoring these biomarkers helps in early intervention and managing cardiovascular risks. Demographic Insights: The highest infection and complication rates are among the 50-69 age group with significant obesity. Keywords: COVID-19, Cardiovascular Complications, CRP, IL-6, Biomarker Monitoring

Evaluation of Serial Procalcitonin Levels for the Optimization of Antibiotic Use in Non-Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Procalcitonin (PCT) has been used as a biomarker to guide antibiotic therapy in various patient populations. However, its role in optimizing antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients has not been well studied to date. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of serial PCT monitoring as an antimicrobial stewardship tool for COVID-19 patients. This retrospective study included 240 COVID-19 patients who were admitted to a tertiary medical institution in Saudi Arabia between January 2020 and February 2022. Patients who received empiric antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and had serial procalcitonin levels were included. The patients were divided into two groups: the normal procalcitonin arm (PCT level < 0.5 ng/mL) and the elevated PCT arm (PCT level > 0.5 ng/mL). The primary and secondary outcomes were the effect of PCT monitoring on the duration of antibiotic exposure and the length of hospital stay, respectively. To measure the accuracy of PCT, the receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was determined. Among the included patients, 142 were in the normal procalcitonin arm (median PCT, 0.12 ng/mL), and 78 were in the elevated PCT arm (median PCT, 4.04 ng/mL). The baseline characteristics were similar between the two arms, except for the higher prevalence of kidney disease in the elevated PCT arm. There was no statistically significant difference in the duration of antibiotic exposure between the normal and elevated PCT arms (median duration: 7 days in both arms). However, the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the normal PCT arm (median stay, 9 days) than in the elevated PCT arm (median stay, 13 days; p = 0.028). The ROC-AUC value was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.503-0.595). Serial PCT monitoring did not lead to a reduction in the duration of antibiotic exposure in COVID-19 patients. However, it was associated with a shorter hospital stay. These findings suggest that PCT monitoring may be useful for optimizing antibiotic use and improving outcomes in COVID-19 patients. While PCT-guided algorithms have the potential to enable antibiotic stewardship, their role in the context of COVID-19 treatment requires further investigation.

Efficacy of Remdesivir on Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

As of October 3, 2023, the global COVID-19 case tally exceeded 696 million, with almost 7 million fatalities. Remdesivir, approved for treatment of COVID-19 by regulatory bodies, has seen varying recommendations by the World Health Organization over time. Despite certain studies questioning its efficacy, others highlight potential benefits. The objective of this study was to gauge the impact of remdesivir on clinical outcomes in a Pakistani tertiary care hospital. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 COVID-19 patients at Mayo Hospital Lahore between September 2020 and August 2021. Of these, 52 received remdesivir. The study employed a structured proforma for data collection, with analyses conducted using SPSS version 26, considering a p-value of less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Demographic distribution between remdesivir-treated and untreated groups was similar. Significant improvement was observed in the remdesivir cohort in terms of oxygen saturation (58%), ferritin levels (58.2%), chest X-ray results (67.8%), and discharge rates (66.7%) when compared to the untreated group. Stratification based on disease severity showed that remdesivir was particularly beneficial for moderate illness cases in several parameters. This study suggests that remdesivir can be associated with improved outcomes, especially in patients with moderate COVID-19 severity. The data emphasizes the importance of the disease stage when considering therapeutic interventions and calls for more region-specific research to guide health responses amid diverse epidemiological landscapes.

Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Pancreato-Biliary Diseases Requiring Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Viral infections are known to impact the pancreato-biliary system; however, there are limited data showing that the same is true of COVID-19. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can safely be performed in patients with COVID-19 infection, but outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infections and concomitant pancreatic and biliary disease requiring endoscopic intervention are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the severity of pancreaticobiliary diseases and post-ERCP outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Patients with pancreato-biliary disease that required inpatient ERCP from five centers in the United States and South America between January 1, 2020, and October 31, 2020 were included. A representative cohort of patients from each month were randomly selected from each site. Disease severity and post-ERCP outcomes were compared between COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients. A total of 175 patients were included: 95 COVID positive and 80 COVID negative. Mean CTSI score for the patients who had pancreatitis was higher in COVID-positive cohort by 3.2 points (p < .00001). The COVID-positive group had more cases with severe disease (n = 41) versus the COVID-negative group (n = 2) (p < .00001). Mortality was higher in the COVID-19 positive group (19%) compared to COVID-negative group (7.5%) even though the COVID-19-negative group had higher incidence of malignancy (n = 17, 21% vs n = 7, 7.3%) (p = 0.0455). This study shows that patients with COVID infection have more severe pancreato-biliary disease and worse post-ERCP outcomes, including longer length of stay and higher mortality rate. These are important considerations when planning for endoscopic intervention. gov: (NCT05051358).