Platelet Indexes for Predicting Disease Severity and Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Coronavirus Disease-19.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of platelet indices in predicting prognosis in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 65 years who presented to the emergency department with a positive polymerase chain reaction test were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the mean values of platelet (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) parameters in those with severe disease, those who died, and those who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Mean PLT and PCT values were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (p-values < 0.001, for both), those requiring ICU admission (p = 0.016; p = 0.006; respectively), and those who died (p = 0.015; p = 0.005, respectively). PLT and PCT were found to be statistically significant in predicting death [PLT (area under the curve (AUC): 0.598; p = 0.0145) and PCT (AUC: 0.617; p = 0.0034)], severity [PLT (AUC: 0.653; p = 0.0002) and PCT (AUC: 0.654; p = 0.0002)], and ICU admission [PLT (AUC: 0.598; p = 0.0235) and PCT (AUC: 0.605; p = 0.0148)]. CONCLUSIONS: PLT and PCT values were significantly higher in patients with high disease severity, those requiring ICU admission, and those who died. Furthermore, they were statistically significant in predicting disease severity, ICU admission, and death.

Risk factors and mortality in elderly patients with severe hyponatremia admitted to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at determining the risk factors associated with mortality in elderly patients with severe hyponatremia admitted to the emergency department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to the emergency department and whose serum sodium levels were < 125 mEq/L were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Mortality was associated with chronic liver disease/cirrhosis (p = 0.036), metastatic tumor (p = 0.007) and solid tumor (p = 0.013) cancers, antiarrhythmic drug use (p = 0.003), potassium-sparing diuretic use (p = 0.044), antineoplastic drug use (p = 0.0029), and dialysis treatment (p = 0.015). The following cutoff values were determined to be predictive of mortality: urea > 63.6 (AUC: 0.771; p = 0.0001), creatinine > 1.39 (AUC: 0.675; p = 0.0003), potassium > 4.64 (AUC: 0.711; p = 0.0001), C-reactive protein > 44 (AUC: 0.765; p = 0.0001), white blood cell count > 12.21 (AUC: 0.688; p = 0.0001), hemoglobin < 11.2 (AUC: 0.611; p = 0.0103), and Charlson comorbidity index > 2 (AUC: 0.739; p = 0.0001). The use of antineoplastic drugs (OR: 4.502; p = 0.010) and increased values of the following were associated with an increased risk of mortality: urea (OR: 1.007; p = 0.024), C-reactive protein (OR: 1.005; p = 0.026), glucose (OR: 1.008; p = 0.001), and Charlson comorbidity index (OR: 1.198; p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Malignancy; liver cirrhosis; dialysis treatment; increased Charlson comorbidity index, urea, and C-reactive protein values and the use of antineoplastic drugs are associated with mortality.