Real-world effectiveness of early anti-SARS therapy in severely immunocompromised COVID-19 outpatients during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant era: a propensity score-adjusted retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of the early treatment for antiviral agents in SARS-CoV-2 infection is closely related to patient comorbidities. Data on effectiveness in immunocompromised patients are limited, with reports involving highly heterogeneous and not well-defined populations. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of treatment in reducing hospitalizations in a real-world cohort of severely immunocompromised COVID-19 outpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study of immunocompromised outpatients attended in infectious diseases departments from 1 January to 31 December 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM) multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio [(aOR, 95% confidence interval (CI)] for the association between antiviral prescription and outcome (COVID-19-related hospitalization up to Day 90). RESULTS: We identified 746 immunocompromised outpatients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. After eligibility criteria and PSM, a total of 410 patients were analysed: 205 receiving treatment (remdesivir, sotrovimab or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) and 205 matched controls. Fifty-two patients required at least one COVID-19-related hospitalization 8 (3.9%) versus 44 (21.5%) in the antiviral and matched control cohorts, respectively. There were 13 deaths at 90 days, of which only 4 were COVID-19-related and none in the antiviral treatment group. After adjustment for residual confounders, the use of early therapy was associated with a protective effect on the risk of hospitalization [aOR 0.13 (0.05-0.29)], as was the use of biological immunomodulators [aOR 0.27 (0.10-0.74)], whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [aOR 4.65 (1.09-19.69)] and anti-CD20 use [aOR 2.76 (1.31-5.81)] increased the odds. CONCLUSIONS: Early antiviral treatment was associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization in ambulatory severely immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.

Association between Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and clinical presentation and outcomes in older inpatients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a physiological condition characterized by a decreased reserve to stressors. In patients with COVID-19, frailty is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between clinical presentation, analytical and radiological parameters at admission, and clinical outcomes according to frailty, as defined by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), in old people hospitalized with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included people aged 65 years and older and admitted with community-acquired COVID-19 from 3 March 2020 to 31 April 2021. Patients were categorized using the CFS. Primary outcomes were symptoms of COVID-19 prior to admission, mortality, readmission, admission in intensive care unit (ICU), and need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Analysis of clinical symptoms, clinical outcomes, and CFS was performed using multivariable logistic regression, and results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Of the 785 included patients, 326 (41.5%, 95% CI 38.1%-45.0%) were defined as frail (CFS ≥ 5 points): 208 (26.5%, 95% CI 23.5%-29.7%) presented mild-moderate frailty (CFS 5-6 points) and 118 (15.0%, 95% CI 12.7%-17.7%), severe frailty (7-9 points). After adjusting for epidemiological variables (age, gender, residence in a nursing home, and Charlson comorbidity index), frail patients were significantly less likely to present dry cough (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.83), myalgia-arthralgia (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.75), and anosmia-dysgeusia (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.94). Confusion was more common in severely frail patients (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.64-5.97). After adjusting for epidemiological variables, the risk of in-hospital mortality was higher in frail patients (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.79-4.25), including both those with mild-moderate frailty (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.23-3.19) and severe frailty (OR 5.44, 95% CI 3.14-9.42). Readmission was higher in frail patients (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.07-4.16), but only in mild-moderate frailty (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.17-4.75).. CONCLUSION: Frail patients presented atypical symptoms (less dry cough, myalgia-arthralgia, and anosmia-dysgeusia, and more confusion). Frailty was an independent predictor for death, regardless of severity, and mild-moderate frailty was associated with readmission.

Severe Spontaneous Hematomas in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, medical treatment, and outcomes of a case series of severe spontaneous hematoma in COVID-19. Material and Methods. This retrospective study included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who were diagnosed with severe spontaneous bleeding complications by following a standardized treatment protocol that included computed tomography angiography (CTA) from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2022. The main outcomes were embolization and all-cause mortality. Baseline variables were analyzed for their association with mortality using bivariable logistic regression, and results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In total, 2450 adults were hospitalized for COVID-19 in our center during the study period. 20 patients presented severe and spontaneous intramuscular bleeding (8.1 per 1000 COVID-19 admission vs. 0.47 per 1000 non-COVID-19 admissions, p < 0.001); their median age was 68.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 63, 80), they had high comorbidity (median Charlson comorbidity index 4.5), and 95% were receiving high doses of heparin. The median interval from COVID-19 symptoms to bleeding was 17 days (IQR 13, 24), and 70% reported cough as a previous symptom. Hypovolemic shock, hypotension, and abdominal pain were the most frequent symptoms of the hematoma. All presented decreased hemoglobin, and 95% required transfusion. Intramuscular hematoma occurred most frequently in the rectus sheath, iliopsoas compartment, and femoral-iliac compartment. All patients underwent embolization; mortality was 45%. We did not identify risk factors associated with an increased risk of death. Conclusion: Although severe bleeding is an uncommon complication of COVID-19, its prevalence is higher than in inpatients without COVID-19, it usually needs embolization, and it is associated with high mortality.

Transient Changes in the Plasma of Astrocytic and Neuronal Injury Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients without Neurological Syndromes.

The levels of several glial and neuronal plasma biomarkers have been found to increase during the acute phase in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms. However, replications in patients with minor or non-neurological symptoms are needed to understand their potential as indicators of CNS injury or vulnerability. Plasma levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain protein (NfL), and total Tau (T-tau) were determined by Single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassays in 45 samples from COVID-19 patients in the acute phase of infection [moderate (n = 35), or severe (n = 10)] with minor or non-neurological symptoms; in 26 samples from fully recovered patients after ~2 months of clinical follow-up [moderate (n = 23), or severe (n = 3)]; and in 14 non-infected controls. Plasma levels of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), were also determined by Western blot. Patients with COVID-19 without substantial neurological symptoms had significantly higher plasma concentrations of GFAP, a marker of astrocytic activation/injury, and of NfL and T-tau, markers of axonal damage and neuronal degeneration, compared with controls. All these biomarkers were correlated in COVID-19 patients at the acute phase. Plasma GFAP, NfL and T-tau levels were all normalized after recovery. Recovery was also observed in the return to normal values of the quotient between the ACE2 fragment and circulating full-length species, following the change noticed in the acute phase of infection. None of these biomarkers displayed differences in plasma samples at the acute phase or recovery when the COVID-19 subjects were sub-grouped according to occurrence of minor symptoms at re-evaluation 3 months after the acute episode (so called post-COVID or "long COVID"), such as asthenia, myalgia/arthralgia, anosmia/ageusia, vision impairment, headache or memory loss. Our study demonstrated altered plasma GFAP, NfL and T-tau levels in COVID-19 patients without substantial neurological manifestation at the acute phase of the disease, providing a suitable indication of CNS vulnerability; but these biomarkers fail to predict the occurrence of delayed minor neurological symptoms.

Male pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome-Prevalence and associated factors: A Mediterranean case series.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor can harm testes function. The objectives were to analyse the prevalence of low serum testosterone (LT) and impaired fertility potential (Leydig and Sertoli cells dysfunction, respectively) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) male survivors and to evaluate acute infection-related associated factors. Also, we explore its association with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) and quality of life (QOL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male adults recovered from polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 were offered a structured evaluation 8-12 weeks after recovery. The main outcome measure(s) were as follows: LT, defined as total testosterone (TT) < 2 ng/ml or if TT levels 2-4 ng/ml as calculated free testosterone < 6.36 ng/dl; Sertoli cell dysfunction was defined as inhibin-B < 89 pg/ml. Secondary outcome-associated factors were analysed by multiple logistic regression (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval [CI]). QOL was evaluated by SF-36 v.2. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three patients were evaluated at a median (interquartile range) of 77 days (72-83) after disease onset; 72% of them recovered from severe pneumonia. LT was detected in 41 patients (28.7%; 95% CI: 21.8-36.5). Low levels of inhibin-B were detected in 25 patients (18.1%; 95% CI: 12.5-25.3). After multivariate adjustment, obesity and hypokalaemia were associated with LT, whereas age more than 65 was an independent predictor of Sertoli cell dysfunction. LT or Sertoli cell dysfunction was not associated with PCS. Patients with LT had a lower score in four domains of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of male LT and impaired fertility potential in COVID-19 survivors is high in the medium term. Traditional risk factors and severity markers for COVID-19 could be predictive.

Plasma ACE2 species are differentially altered in COVID-19 patients.

Studies are needed to identify useful biomarkers to assess the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Here, we examine the levels of various plasma species of the SARS-CoV-2 host receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), in patients at different phases of the infection. Human plasma ACE2 species were characterized by immunoprecipitation and western blotting employing antibodies against the ectodomain and the C-terminal domain, using a recombinant human ACE2 protein as control. In addition, changes in the cleaved and full-length ACE2 species were also examined in serum samples derived from humanized K18-hACE2 mice challenged with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 immunoreactivity was present in human plasma as several molecular mass species that probably comprise truncated (70 and 75 kDa) and full-length forms (95, 100, 130, and 170 kDa). COVID-19 patients in the acute phase of infection (n = 46) had significantly decreased levels of ACE2 full-length species, while a truncated 70-kDa form was marginally higher compared with non-disease controls (n = 26). Levels of ACE2 full-length species were in the normal range in patients after a recovery period with an interval of 58-70 days (n = 29), while the 70-kDa species decreased. Levels of the truncated ACE2 species served to discriminate between individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2 and those infected with influenza A virus (n = 17). In conclusion, specific plasma ACE2 species are altered in patients with COVID-19 and these changes normalize during the recovery phase. Alterations in ACE2 species following SARS-CoV-2 infection warrant further investigation regarding their potential usefulness as biomarkers for the disease process and to asses efficacy during vaccination.

[Mild SARS-CoV-2 infection in vulnerable patients: implementation of a clinical pathway for early treatment]. / Infección leve por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes vulnerables: implantación de una vía clínica de tratamiento precoz.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this report is to describe the clinical pathway for early treatment of patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate the first results of its implementation. METHODS: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of the implementation of a clinical pathway of treatment in outpatients (January 1 to June 30 2022). Clinical pathway: detection and referral systems from Primary Care, Emergency services, hospital specialities and an automated detection system; clinical evaluation and treatment administration in the COVID-19 day-hospital and subsequent clinical follow-up. Explanatory variables: demographics, comorbidity, vaccination status, referral pathways and treatment administration. OUTCOME VARIABLES: hospitalization and death with 30 days, grade 2-3 toxicity related to treatment. RESULTS: Treatment was administered to 262 patients (53,4% women, median age 60 years). The treatment indication criteria were immunosupression (68,3%), and the combination of age, vaccination status and comorbidity in the rest47,3% of the patients s received remdesivir, 35,9% nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 13,4% sotrovimab and 2,4% combined treatment with a median of 4 days after symptom onset. Hospital admission was required for 6,1% of the patients, 3,8% related to progression COVID-19. No patient died. Toxicity grade 2-3 toxicity was reported in 18,7%, 89,8% dysgeusia and metallic tasted related nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Seven patients discontinued treatment due to toxicity. CONCLUSION: The creation and implementation of a clinical pathway for non-hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection is effective and it allows early accessibility and equity of currently available treatments.

[Valproic Acid Could Help in the Fight Against COVID-19: a case-control study]. / El ácido valproico podría ayudar en la lucha contra el COVID-19: un estudio de casos y controles.

OBJECTIVE: There is early evidence about Valproic acid (VPA) antiviral effect. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in VPA users as compared with the general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study nested within a cohort, carried out between March 1 and December 17, 2020. Retrospectively, we identified confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection patients exposed to VPA in our health department (defined as case). We ascertained VPA regimen (all the time (AT)(292 days) or at least 20% of the study period (notAT)(≥58 days) and if VPA levels were in therapeutic range (ATR) (50-100 mcg/mL) in the last 24 months. We calculated the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospital admission in the cases, comparing it with the general unexposed VPA population (controls). RESULTS: During the study period, 6183 PCR+ were detected among 281035 inhabitants, of these, 746 were hospitalized. 691 patients were on VPA notAT and 628 (90.1%) AT. The indication for VPA use was epilepsy in 54.9%. The incidence of PCR+ was 1.736 % (OR 0.785 (95%CI 0.443-1.390) and 1.910 % (OR 0.865 (95%CI 0.488-1.533), on VPA notAT and VPA AT patients, respectively vs. 2.201% in people without VPA regimen. Those patients with VPA ATR had a lower risk of PCR + (OR 0.233 (95%CI 0.057-0.951) notAT; OR 0.218 (95%CI 0.053-0.890) AT). Hospital admission incidence was lower in patient on VPA (OR was 0.543 (95% CI 0.076 to 3.871). CONCLUSION: Patients with VPA within the therapeutic range had a reduction of SARS-Cov-2 infection incidence greater than 75%. There is a downward trend in the risk of COVID-19 admission by SARS-CoV-2 in patients on VPA therapy. These findings warrant further investigation.

Medium-term serostatus in Spanish case series recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The medium-term serologic response of SARS-CoV-2 infection recovered individuals is not well known. The aims were to quantify the incidence of seropositive failure in the medium term in a cohort of patients with different COVID-19 severity and to analyze its associated factors. Patients who had recovered from mild and severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an Academic Spanish hospital (March 12-May 2, 2020), were tested for total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test; Roche Diagnostics GmbH). The non-seropositive status (seropositive failure) incidence (95% CI) was determined. Associations were tested by multiple logistic regression in a global cohort and severe pneumonia subpopulation. Of 435 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, a serological test was carried out in 325: 210 (64.6%) had severe pneumonia (hospitalized patients), 51 (15.7%) non-severe pneumonia (managed as outpatients), and 64 (19.7%) mild cases without pneumonia. After a median (IQR) of 76 days (70-83) from symptom onset, antibody responses may not consistently develop or reach levels sufficient to be detectable by antibody tests (non-seropositive incidence) in 6.9% (95% CI, 4.4-10.6) and 20.3% (95% CI, 12.2-31.7) of patients with and without pneumonia, respectively. Baseline independent predictors of seropositive failure were higher leukocytes and fewer days of symptoms before admission, while low glomerular filtrate and fever seem associated with serologic response. Age, comorbidity or immunosuppressive therapies (corticosteroids, tocilizumab) did not influence antibody response. In the medium-term, SARS-CoV-2 seropositive failure is not infrequent in COVID-19 recovered patients. Age, comorbidity or immunosuppressive therapies did not influence antibody response.

Clinical Frailty Score vs Hospital Frailty Risk Score for predicting mortality and other adverse outcome in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: Spanish case series.

OBJECTIVES: Frailty can be used as a predictor of adverse outcomes in people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the study was to analyse the prognostic value of two different frailty scores in patients hospitalised for COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included adult (≥18 years) inpatients with COVID-19 and took place from 3 March to 2 May 2020. Patients were categorised by Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) and Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were tocilizumab treatment, length of hospital stay, admission in intensive care unit (ICU) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Results were analysed by multivariable logistic regression and expressed as odds ratios (ORs), adjusting for age, sex, kidney function and comorbidity. RESULTS: Of the 290 included patients, 54 were frail according to the CFS (≥5 points; prevalence 18.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.4-23.7) vs 65 by HFRS (≥5 points; prevalence: 22.4%, 95% CI 17.8-27.7). Prevalence of frailty increased with age according to both measures: 50-64 years, CFS 1.9% vs HFRS 12.3%; 65-79 years, CFS 31.5% vs HFRS 40.0%; and ≥80 years, CFS 66.7% vs HFRS 40.0% (P < .001). CFS-defined frailty was independently associated with risk of death (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.49-9.04) and less treatment with tocilizumab (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.93). HFRS-defined frailty was independently associated with length of hospital stay over 10 days (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.53-5.44), ICU admission (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.84-9.52) and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 5.93, 95% CI 2.33-15.10). CONCLUSION: In the spring 2020 wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, CFS-defined frailty was an independent predictor for death, while frailty as measured by the HFRS was associated with length of hospital stay over 10 days, ICU admission and use of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Palliative Sedation in COVID-19 End-of-Life Care. Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: Descriptions of end-of-life in COVID-19 are limited to small cross-sectional studies. We aimed to assess end-of-life care in inpatients with COVID-19 at Alicante General University Hospital (ALC) and compare differences according to palliative and non-palliative sedation. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in inpatients included in the ALC COVID-19 Registry (PCR-RT or antigen-confirmed cases) who died during conventional admission from 1 March to 15 December 2020. We evaluated differences among deceased cases according to administration of palliative sedation. Results: Of 747 patients evaluated, 101 died (13.5%). Sixty-eight (67.3%) died in acute medical wards, and 30 (44.1%) received palliative sedation. The median age of patients with palliative sedation was 85 years; 44% were women, and 30% of cases were nosocomial. Patients with nosocomial acquisition received more palliative sedation than those infected in the community (81.8% [9/11] vs 36.8% [21/57], p = 0.006), and patients admitted with an altered mental state received it less (20% [6/23] vs. 53.3% [24/45], p = 0.032). The median time from admission to starting palliative sedation was 8.5 days (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0-14.5). The main symptoms leading to palliative sedation were dyspnea at rest (90%), pain (60%), and delirium/agitation (36.7%). The median time from palliative sedation to death was 21.8 h (IQR 10.4-41.1). Morphine was used in all palliative sedation perfusions: the main regimen was morphine + hyoscine butyl bromide + midazolam (43.3%). Conclusions: End-of-life palliative sedation in patients with COVID-19 was initiated quite late. Clinicians should anticipate the need for palliative sedation in these patients and recognize the breathlessness, pain, and agitation/delirium that foreshadow death.

Experience with tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 pneumonia after 80 days of follow-up: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics and predictors of major outcomes in patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ) for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case series of all sequential patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with TCZ at an Academic Spanish hospital (March 12 - May 2, 2020). Clinical outcomes: death, length of hospital stay. An early clinical response to TCZ (48-72 h after the administration) was assessed by variations in respiratory function markers, Brescia COVID Respiratory Severity Scale (BCRSS), inflammatory parameters, and patients' and physicians' opinion. Associations were tested by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: From a cohort of 236 patients, 77 patients treated with TCZ were included (median age 62 years (IQR 53.0-72.0), 64.9% were males), 42.9% had Charlson index ≥3; hypertension (41.6%), obesity (34.7%), and diabetes (20.8%). Median follow-up was 83.0 days (78.0-86.5), no patient was readmitted. ICU admission was required for 42 (54.5%), invasive mechanical ventilation in 38 (49.4%) and 10 patients died (12.9% global, 23.8% at ICU admitted). After multivariate adjustment, TCZ response by BCRSS (OR 0.03 (0.01-0.68), p = 0.028), and Charlson index (OR 3.54 (1.20-10.44), p = 0.022) has been identified as independent factors associated with mortality. Median of hospital stay was 16.0 days (11.0-23.0); BCRSS, physician subjective and D-dimer response were associated with shorter hospitalization stay. CONCLUSIONS: In a Mediterranean cohort, use of tocilizumab for severe COVID-19 show 12.9% of mortality. Early TCZ-response by BCRSS and low comorbidity were associated with increased survival. Early TCZ-response was related to shorter median hospital stay.

High Irisin levels in nondiabetic HIV-infected males are associated with insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and subclinical atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Irisin is a miokyne secreted by skeletal muscle, which may influence insulin homeostasis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis. Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between serum irisin, insulin homeostasis, NAFLD and subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-infected males. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in a cohort of HIV-infected patients. PATIENTS: Inclusion criteria: men older than 18 years; antiretroviral therapy (ART) -naïve or on effective ART (<50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) without changes in the previous 6 months; no diabetes or hepatitis C. MEASUREMENTS: Irisin was measured by enzymatic immunoassay (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals), insulin sensitivity by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as the 2-hour continuous infusion of glucose with model assessment (CIGMA-HOMA). Hepatic steatosis was measured by 1-H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, subclinical atherosclerosis by evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), measured by Ultrasonography. RESULTS: Eight nine men (age 42.0 ± 8.3 years, duration of HIV infection 7.9 ± 5.6 years, CD4 count 547 ± 279 cells/mL) were included. Circulating irisin was positively related to HOMA-IR and CIGMA-HOMA, hepatic triglyceride content, and to VAT/SAT ratio. Higher irisin concentrations were associated with higher C-IMT, although this association did not persist in multivariate analysis. Lipodystrophy and a higher baseline PAI-1 concentration were independently associated with C-IMT. CONCLUSIONS: In male HIV patients without diabetes, higher irisin concentrations are positively associated with insulin resistance, NAFLD and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, waist-hip-ratio is the main determinant of insulin resistance, and PAI-1 and lipodystrophy were the strongest determinants of IMT in this population.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in low Framingham risk HIV patients.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is complex, and differences between HIV-infected patients and general population cannot be completely explained by the higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We aimed to analyse the association between inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV patients with low Framingham risk score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient Infectious Diseases clinic in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: HIV-1-infected patients aged > 35 years receiving antiretroviral treatment with viral load < 50 copies/mL and Framingham risk score < 10%. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: inflammatory diseases; dyslipidaemia requiring statins; smoking > 5 cigarettes/day; diabetes; hypertension; vascular diseases. MAIN OUTCOME: subclinical atherosclerosis determined by ultrasonography: common carotid intima-media thickness greater than 0·8 mm or carotid plaque presence. Explanatory variables: ribosomal bacterial DNA (rDNA), sCD14, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-α. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included, 75% male, mean age 42 years and mean CD4+ cells 657 ± 215/mm3 . Median Framingham risk score was 1% at 10 years (percentile 25-75: 0·5-4%). Eighteen patients (21%) had subclinical atherosclerosis; the associated factors were older age (P = 0·001), waist-hip ratio (P = 0·01), time from HIV diagnosis (P = 0·02), rDNA (P = 0·04) and IL-6 (P = 0·01). In multivariate analysis, OR for subclinical atherosclerosis was 7 (95% CI, 1.3-40, P = 0.02) and 9 (95% CI, 1.0-85, P = 0.04) for patients older than 44 years and IL-6 > 6·6 pg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Well-controlled HIV patients with low Framingham risk score have a high prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, and the main risk factors are age and inflammation. These patients are not receiving primary prophylaxis for cardiovascular events according to current guidelines.

Are we ready for an adipocentric approach in people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease?

We are entering a new era in the management of adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related chronic kidney disease (CKD). ABCD, T2D and CKD can affect almost every major organ system and have a particularly strong impact on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure. ABCD and the associated insulin resistance are at the root of many cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CKM) disorders, thus an integrated therapeutic framework using weight loss (WL) as a disease-modifying intervention could simplify the therapeutic approach at different stages across the lifespan. The breakthrough of highly effective WL drugs makes achieving a WL of >10% possible, which is required for a potential T2D disease remission as well as for prevention of microvascular disease, CKD, CVD events and overall mortality. The aim of this review is to discuss the link between adiposity and CKM conditions as well as placing weight management at the centre of the holistic CKM syndrome approach with a focus on CKD. We propose the clinical translation of the available evidence into a transformative Dysfunctional Adipose Tissue Approach (DATA) for people living with ABCD, T2D and CKD. This model is based on the interplay of four essential elements (i.e. adipocentric approach and target organ protection, dysfunctional adiposity, glucose homeostasis, and lifestyle intervention and de-prescription) together with a multidisciplinary person-centred care. DATA could facilitate decision-making for all clinicians involved in the management of these individuals, and if we do this in a multidisciplinary way, we are prepared to meet the adipocentric challenge.

Multidisciplinary Panel Consensus for the Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Delphi Study.

AIM: To reach a multidisciplinary consensus on managing patients with type 2 diabetes among specialists in family medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine, and nephrology. METHODS: A two-round Delphi study was conducted using a questionnaire with 68 positive/negative statements distributed in four thematic blocks on diabetes management: early diagnosis and prediabetes, referral criteria, treatment and comorbidities, and clinical management. The expert panel was composed of 105 physicians from different specialties (family medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine, and nephrology) with experience in managing patients with diabetes and who were members of a diabetes-related society. RESULTS: Response rates for the first and second rounds were 86.7 and 75.2%, respectively. After both rounds, a consensus was reached on 52 (76.5%) items. The recommendations with the highest degree of consensus (median = 10, IQR = 0.00) were related to anti-smoking education, cardiovascular risk factor target control, and diabetic kidney disease. There were significant differences between family physicians and other specialties for some items. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a set of recommendations for diabetes management agreed upon by specialists from different healthcare settings.

Mild SARS-CoV-2 infection in vulnerable patients: implementation of a clinical pathway for early treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this report is to describe the clinical pathway for early treatment of patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate the first results of its implementation. METHODS: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of the implementation of a clinical pathway of treatment in outpatients (January 1 to June 30 2022). Clinical pathway: detection and referral systems from Primary Care, Emergency services, hospital specialities and an automated detection system; clinical evaluation and treatment administration in the COVID-19 day-hospital and subsequent clinical follow-up. Explanatory variables: demographics, comorbidity, vaccination status, referral pathways and treatment administration. OUTCOME VARIABLES: hospitalization and death with 30 days, grade 2-3 toxicity related to treatment. RESULTS: Treatment was administered to 262 patients (53,4% women, median age 60 years). The treatment indication criteria were immunosupression (68,3%), and the combination of age, vaccination status and comorbidity in the rest 47,3% of the patients s received remdesivir, 35,9% nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 13,4% sotrovimab and 2,4% combined treatment with a median of 4 days after symptom onset. Hospital admission was required for 6,1% of the patients, 3,8% related to progression COVID-19. No patient died. Toxicity grade 2-3 toxicity was reported in 18,7%, 89,8% dysgeusia and metallic tasted related nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Seven patients discontinued treatment due to toxicity. CONCLUSION: The creation and implementation of a clinical pathway for non-hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection is effective and it allows early accessibility and equity of currently available treatments.