Retrospective Study to Identify Risk Factors for Severe Disease and Mortality Using the Modified Early Warning Score in 5127 Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to an Emergency Department in Poland Between March 2020 and April 2021.

BACKGROUND COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has posed a threat to global public health. This retrospective study of 5127 patients with COVID-19 admitted to an Emergency Department in Poland between March 2020 and April 2021 aimed to identify risk factors for severe disease and mortality using the modified early warning score (MEWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was based on a retrospective analysis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the Emergency Department between March 2020 and April 2021. A total of 5127 cases were included in the final analysis. Identifying the group of high-risk patients with COVID-19 was determined based on the MEWS score. RESULTS Most of the patients studied were male (53.38%). The in-hospital mortality rate among the patients was 21.53%. The factors associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 were age (>60 years, hazard ratio [HR]=2.27, P<0.001), comorbidities (cancer, HR=1.39, P=0.005; heart failure, HR=1.31, P=0.009; renal failure, HR=1.37, P=0.004), higher MEWS score (MEWS ≥5, HR=1.43, P<0.001), higher percentage of lung parenchyma affected (>50%, HR=2.10, P=0.001), and higher respiratory rate (>24 breaths per min, HR=2.10, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study produced real-world data of risk factors for mortality from COVID-19 and the use of the MEWS for a faster identification of patients with COVID-19 requiring more intensive medical care.

Preventive Health Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey among 102,928 Internet Users in Poland.

Preventive screening is a highly cost-effective public health intervention. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact preventive healthcare services. This study aimed to assess the frequency of preventive health screening, as well as to identify the factors associated with compliance with health screening guidelines among adults in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey was carried out between October and December 2021, among Internet users in Poland. Respondents were asked about the last date that they performed seven different screening tests. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 102,928 adults aged 18−99 years, and 57.2% were female. The most common screening tests performed in the past 12 months were blood pressure measurement (83%), blood count (66.2%), and blood sugar (63.3%). Moreover, more than half of respondents had a urinalysis (53.1%) and lipid panel (55.1%) in the past 12 months. Out of 58,904 females, 69.2% had a cervical cytology in the past 3 years. Older age, having higher education, living in urban areas, being occupationally active, having at least one chronic disease, and visiting a doctor in the past 12 months were significantly associated (p < 0.001) with a higher level of compliance with screening guidelines. This study revealed a significant gap in the performance of preventive health screening.

Analysis of Risk Factors for In-Hospital Death Due to COVID-19 in Patients Hospitalised at the Temporary Hospital Located at the National Stadium in Warsaw: A Retrospective Analysis.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic has affected all aspects of social life and brought massive changes to the healthcare sector. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting the mortality of COVID-19 patients at a temporary hospital in Warsaw (Poland). The present study was conducted based on a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients hospitalised at the temporary hospital located at the National Stadium in Warsaw between 1 March 2020 and 30 April 2021. The study included all cases of patients who were brought directly or transferred to the National Hospital from other hospitals for further treatment. With regard to comorbidities, the analysis found that five comorbidities­namely, diabetes (OR = 1.750, 95% CI: 1.009−2.444, p < 0.05), stroke history (OR = 2.408, 95% CI: 1.208−4.801, p < 0.05), renal failure (OR = 2.141, 95% CI: 1.052−4.356, p < 0.05), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 2.044, 95% CI: 1.133−3.690, p < 0.05) and heart failure (OR = 1.930, 95% CI: 1.154−3.227, p < 0.05)­had a significant impact on the survival of COVID-19 patients. The analysis identified 14 factors that had a significant impact on the prognosis and mortality of the COVID-19 patients studied.

Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Police Officers in Poland-Implications for Public Health Policies.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to characterize sources of knowledge on the means of prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as to assess the methods of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among police employees in Poland and their potential impact on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: The study consisted of two phases: questionnaire and laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The questionnaire included 30 questions related to risk factors, knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, and methods of infection prevention. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 5082 police employees. The most common source of knowledge for a daily update on SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention was the Internet (42.6%), television (40.3%), and radio (39.7%). The most commonly used methods of SARS-CoV-2 infection included washing one's hands for at least 20 seconds (95.8%), wearing facemasks (82.9%), and physical distancing (74.9%). Results of IgG tests were lower in police units where the overall compliance with the preventive measures was higher (p < 0.01). Women were more likely to exercise SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention behaviors compared to men. Compliance with the recommended protective measures increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity rates were observed in police units with better overall compliance with the preventive measures, suggesting the key importance of group rather than individual behaviors.

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective single-center experience of a designated hospital in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19) in Poland, the worldwide pandemic has spread throughout the country, leading to many hospital admissions. There has been an urgent need to determine clinical characteristics of Polish patients with laboratory­confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS­CoV 2) infection in the clinical setting. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to outline characteristics and short­ term outcomes of SARS­CoV­2-positive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 169 consecutive patients with laboratory­ confirmed COVID­ 19 with regard to their clinical manifestations, radiological findings, treatment, complications, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 169 patients, more than half was aged 65 years or older (88; 52.1%), 51.5% were male, and 78.3% had comorbidities. The majority of patients (106; 62.7%) were transferred from outbreak locations in medical facilities. The most common symptoms on admission were fever (42%), shortness of breath (35%), and fatigue (33%). Twenty seven (15.4%) patients required intensive care unit admission. Overall mortality was 26.3% (n = 46) and was significantly higher in patients transferred from other facilities (38 out of 106; 35.8%), than in patients admitted directly to the hospital (8 out of 63; 12.69%; P <0.001). Seventeen out of 29 patients admitted to the intensive care unit died (mortality, 58.6%), including 30 out of 41 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (73.2% mortality rate). CONCLUSIONS: Polish patients with COVID­19 have similar characteristics and risk factors for adverse outcomes to those observed in countries in which outbreaks occurred earlier. Significantly higher mortality in patients transferred from other centers warrants special attention and transfer policy should be verified.

Prevalence of Current and Past SARS-CoV-2 Infections among Police Employees in Poland, June-July 2020.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We aimed to determine the prevalence of current and past SARS-CoV-2 infections among police employees. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 5082 police employees from Mazowieckie Province, Poland. RT-PCR testing for current SARS-CoV-2 infection and serological tests (ELISA) for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM+IgA and IgG antibodies were performed. RESULTS: All RT-PCR tests were negative. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM+IgA index was positive (>8) in 8.9% of participants, including 11.2% women and 7.7% men (p < 0.001). Equivocal IgM+IgA index (6-8) was found in 9.8% of participants, including 11.9% women and 8.7% men (p < 0.001). The IgG index was positive (>6) in 4.3% and equivocal (4-6) in 13.2% of participants. A higher odds of positive IgM+IgA index was found in women vs. men (OR: 1.742) and police officers vs. civilian employees (OR: 1.411). Participants aged ≥60 years had a higher odds of positive IgG index vs. those aged 20-29 years (OR: 3.309). Daily vaping also increased the odds of positive IgG index (OR: 2.058). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Polish police employees are seronegative for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaping and older age (≥60 years) were associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.