Project description:Background & aimsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a major health threat to healthy individuals and those with comorbidities, but its impact on patients with cirrhosis is currently unknown. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical outcome of patients with cirrhosis.MethodsIn this multicentre retrospective study, patients with cirrhosis and a confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were enrolled between 1st and 31th March 2020. Clinical and biochemical data at diagnosis of COVID-19 and at the last outpatient visit were obtained through review of medical records.ResultsFifty patients with cirrhosis and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled (age 67 years, 70% men, 38% virus-related, 52% previously compensated cirrhosis). At diagnosis, 64% of patients presented fever, 42% shortness of breath/polypnea, 22% encephalopathy, 96% needed hospitalization or a prolonged stay if already in hospital. Respiratory support was necessary in 71%, 52% received antivirals, 80% heparin. Serum albumin significantly decreased, while bilirubin, creatinine and prothrombin time significantly increased at COVID-19 diagnosis compared to last available data. The proportion of patients with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥15 increased from 13% to 26% (p = 0.037), acute-on-chronic liver failure and de novo acute liver injury occurred in 14 (28%) and 10 patients, respectively. Seventeen patients died after a median of 10 (4-13) days from COVID-19 diagnosis, with a 30-day-mortality rate of 34%. The severity of lung and liver (according to CLIF-C, CLIF-OF and MELD scores) diseases independently predicted mortality. In patients with cirrhosis, mortality was significantly higher in those with COVID-19 than in those hospitalized for bacterial infections.ConclusionCOVID-19 is associated with liver function deterioration and elevated mortality in patients with cirrhosis.Lay summaryCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a major health threat to healthy individuals and those with comorbidities. Herein, we assessed its impact on patients with cirrhosis. Infection with COVID-19 was associated with liver function deterioration and elevated mortality in patients with cirrhosis.
Project description:BackgroundThe impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer is emerging, but data are urgently needed for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients or survivors who are inherently high-risk for severe illness and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsThis multi-institution, academic cohort study collected comprehensive data on clinical risk factors, COVID-19 symptoms and viral testing patterns, information about hospitalization rates, and predictors of survival among HNC patients with active disease or in remission. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality from the date of confirmed COVID-19. We performed multivariate analysis to understand the prognostic value of clinical and laboratory parameters on outcomes.ResultsThirty-two patients with COVID-19 and HNC were included. Median age was 70 (range: 38-91) with 38% aged 75+, and 34% resided in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Thirteen (41%) had active cancer, with 6 (19%) on cancer therapy within 4 weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis. New or worsening cough and fatigue were the most commonly reported presenting symptoms. More than 30% required >1 SARS-CoV-2 test before confirming a positive result. Twenty (63%) required hospitalization. At data cutoff, 7 (22%) had died (1 on active cancer treatment), with a 30-day all-cause mortality of 18.9% (95%CI: 11.4-33.6) among all patients, and 71.5% (95%CI: 38.2-92.3) among those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. ICU admission and residing in a LTCF predicted worse outcomes (p < 0.01), while age, gender, and recent treatment did not.ConclusionsWe observed high 30-day all-cause mortality among HNC patients with COVID-19, but most were not on active cancer therapy.
Project description:ObjectivesPatients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the impact of cirrhosis on the clinical course following VTE is unclear. In a nationwide cohort study, we examined 30-day mortality among patients with cirrhosis and VTE.MethodsWe used Danish population-based health-care databases (1994-2011) to identify patients with incident VTE, i.e., deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Among these, we identified 745 patients with cirrhosis and 3647 patients without cirrhosis (matched on gender, year of birth, calendar year of VTE diagnosis and VTE type). We assessed the 30-day mortality risk among VTE patients with and without cirrhosis, and the mortality rate ratios (MRRs), using an adjusted Cox model with 95% confidence interval. We obtained information on immediate cause of death for patients who died within 30 days after VTE.ResultsThe 30-day mortality risk for DVT was 7% for patients with cirrhosis and 3% for patients without cirrhosis. Corresponding PE-related mortality risks were 35% and 16%, and PVT-related mortality risks were 19% and 15%, respectively. The adjusted 30-day MRRs were 2.17 (1.24-3.79) for DVT, 1.83 (1.30-2.56) for PE, and 1.30 (0.80-2.13) for PVT. Though overall mortality was higher in patients with cirrhosis than patients without cirrhosis, the proportions of deaths due to PE were similar among patients (25% and 24%, respectively).ConclusionsCirrhosis is a predictor for increased short-term mortality following VTE, with PE as the most frequent cause of death.
Project description:Background & aimsSeveral studies have shown conflicting results for the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 outcomes. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether plasma 25(OH)D levels predict mortality in adults admitted with COVID-19, considering potential confounders.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 115 adults (age 62.1 ± 17.6 years, 65 males) admitted to a Brazilian public hospital for severely symptomatic COVID-19. Subjects were classified into two groups according to their plasma levels of 25(OH)D: sufficiency (≥50 nmol/L) and the deficiency (<50 nmol/L). The diagnosis of COVID-19 was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, direct competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay assessed serum 25(OH)D levels.ResultsThe all-cause 30-day mortality was 13.8% (95% CI: 6.5%-21%) in the group of patients with sufficient plasma 25(OH)D levels and 32.1% (95% CI: 14.8%-49.4%) among those with deficient plasma 25(OH)D levels. Cox regression showed that plasma 25(OH)D levels remained a significant predictor of mortality even after adjusting for the covariates sex, age, length of the delay between symptom onset and hospitalization, and disease severity (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.00; p = 0.02).ConclusionVitamin D deficiency predicts higher mortality risk in adults with COVID-19.
Project description:BackgroundPrediction of mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a key to improving the clinical outcomes, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the collapse of healthcare systems in many regions worldwide. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality and to develop a nomogram for predicting mortality using clinical parameters and underlying diseases.MethodsThis study was performed in 5,626 patients with confirmed COVID-19 between February 1 and April 30, 2020 in South Korea. A Cox proportional hazards model and logistic regression model were used to construct a nomogram for predicting 30-day and 60-day survival probabilities and overall mortality, respectively in the train set. Calibration and discrimination were performed to validate the nomograms in the test set.ResultsAge ≥ 70 years, male, presence of fever and dyspnea at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, and diabetes mellitus, cancer, or dementia as underling diseases were significantly related to 30-day and 60-day survival and mortality in COVID-19 patients. The nomogram showed good calibration for survival probabilities and mortality. In the train set, the areas under the curve (AUCs) for 30-day and 60-day survival was 0.914 and 0.954, respectively; the AUC for mortality of 0.959. In the test set, AUCs for 30-day and 60-day survival was 0.876 and 0.660, respectively, and that for mortality was 0.926. The online calculators can be found at https://koreastat.shinyapps.io/RiskofCOVID19/.ConclusionThe prediction model could accurately predict COVID-19-related mortality; thus, it would be helpful for identifying the risk of mortality and establishing medical policies during the pandemic to improve the clinical outcomes.
Project description:INTRODUCTION:Risk factors for mortality associated with COVID-19 have been reported to include increased age, male sex and certain comorbidities. Fracture neck of femur (NOF) patients is high-risk surgical patients, often with multiple comorbidities and advanced age. We quantify the 30-day mortality rate in fractured NOF patients with a positive peri-operative COVID-19 antigen test and identify risk factors for increased mortality. METHODS:This is a retrospective multi-centre review of all patients admitted with a fractured NOF and a confirmed laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 between 1 March and 26 April 2020. Demographic data, comorbidities, ASA grade and date of death (if applicable) were collected. RESULTS:There were 64 patients in the cohort with an overall 30-day mortality rate of 32.8% (n?=?21). Thirty-five (55%) were female, and mean age was 83 (SD 9, range 46-100) years. There was significantly increased mortality for those with a history of myocardial infarction (p?=?0.03). Sixty-four percent of patients underwent surgery within the 36-h target, which is comparable to previous data for the same time of year. Overall mortality increased to 50% (n?=?32) at 45 days post-operatively. CONCLUSION:This is a large review of 30-day mortality in NOF patients with concurrent COVID-19 infection. We report a substantial increase from the pre-COVID-19 mean 30-day mortality rate (6.5% in 2019). We highlight the need for counselling patients when presenting with a NOF in relation to peri-operative COVID-19 infection and the associated increased risks.
Project description:IntroductionPatients with pre-existing respiratory diseases in the setting of COVID-19 may have a greater risk of severe complications and even death.MethodsA retrospective, multicenter, cohort study with 5847 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals. Patients were separated in two groups, with/without previous lung disease. Evaluation of factors associated with survival and secondary composite end-point such as ICU admission and respiratory support, were explored.Results1,271 patients (22%) had a previous lung disease, mostly COPD. All-cause mortality occurred in 376 patients with lung disease (29.5%) and in 819 patients without (17.9%) (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with lung diseases had a worse 30-day survival (HR = 1.78; 95%C.I. 1.58-2.01; p < 0.001) and COPD had almost 40% mortality. Multivariable Cox regression showed that prior lung disease remained a risk factor for mortality (HR, 1.21; 95%C.I. 1.02-1.44; p = 0.02). Variables independently associated with all-cause mortality risk in patients with lung diseases were oxygen saturation less than 92% on admission (HR, 4.35; 95% CI 3.08-6.15) and elevated D-dimer (HR, 1.84; 95% CI 1.27-2.67). Age younger than 60 years (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.21-0.65) was associated with decreased risk of death.ConclusionsPrevious lung disease is a risk factor for mortality in patients with COVID-19. Older age, male gender, home oxygen therapy, and respiratory failure on admission were associated with an increased mortality. Efforts must be done to identify respiratory patients to set measures to improve their clinical outcomes.
Project description:BackgroundThe Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) has been associated with reduced 30-day readmissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF).ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to test whether this 30-day readmission reduction is a manifestation of practices that defer or avoid hospitalizations beyond the 30-day period.MethodsAt all U.S. hospitals under HRRP, the authors calculated daily readmission rates for elderly Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries through day-60 post-discharge following a hospitalization for AMI and HF-the 2 target cardiovascular conditions-as well as pneumonia in July 2008 to June 2016. The authors applied a robust bias-corrected nonparametric regression approach to evaluate for discontinuities in rates around day 30.ResultsThe authors identified 3,256 eligible hospitals, with median readmission rates in the days 1 to 30 and 31 to 60 post-discharge of 19.6% (interquartile range [IQR]: 16.7% to 22.9%) and 7.8% (IQR: 6.5% to 9.4%) for AMI, 23.0% (IQR: 20.6% to 25.3%) and 11.4% (IQR: 10.2% to 12.6%) for HF, and 17.5% (IQR: 15.4% to 19.8%) and 8.3% (IQR: 7.3% to 9.3%) for pneumonia, respectively. Daily readmission rates decreased across most of the 60 post-discharge days, with no discontinuities in the local polynomial regression for readmission at the 30-day mark, with a >95% power to detect 0.1% difference for each outcome across post-discharge day 30. Similarly, there was no discontinuity in mortality at 30 days post-discharge, or for either outcome at hospitals that incurred readmission penalties.ConclusionsThere was no evidence that clinicians adopted strategies that specifically deferred admissions or affected mortality in the 30-day period after discharge. The findings are consistent with the institution of strategies that generally affected readmission risk after discharge.
Project description:Stroke is one of the most common medical emergencies and the leading cause of preventable death and long-term disability worldwide. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the stroke unit of Jimma university medical center for four consecutive months (from March 10 to July 10, 2017). Of the total 116 study patients, 60 (51.7%) had an ischemic stroke. At 30-day follow-up, 81 (69.8%) patients were alive, 34 (29.3%) were died, and one patient (0.9%) was lost to follow-up. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (AHR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.34-10.57), diagnosis of stroke clinically alone (AHR: 3.90, 95 CI: 1.49-10.26), brain edema (AHR: 4.28, 95% CI: 1.61-11.37), and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 13 during hospital arrival (AHR: 6.49, 95% CI: 1.90-22.22) were the independent predictors of 30-day mortality. At 60-day follow-up, 68 (58.6%) patients were alive, 46 (39.7%) were died, and 2 (1.7%) were lost to follow-up. Discharge against medical advice (AHR: 6.40, 95% CI: 2.31-17.73) and severe modified Rankin score/mRS (4-5) at discharge (AHR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.01-13.16) were the independent predictors of 60-day mortality. The median (IQR) length of survival after hospital admission for patients died within 30 and 60 days were 4.65 (2.34-11.80) and 9.3 (3.93-33) days, respectively. Stroke significantly affects the morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. There is a need to provide better care and future planning for stroke patients as an emergency diagnosis and treatment to minimize mortality and disability.