Seven Epidemic Waves of COVID-19 in a Hospital in Madrid: Analysis of Severity and Associated Factors.

(1) Background: COVID-19 has evolved during seven epidemic waves in Spain. Our objective was to describe changes in mortality and severity in our hospitalized patients. (2) Method: This study employed a descriptive, retrospective approach for COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital de Fuenlabrada (Madrid, Spain) until 31 December 2022. (3) Results: A total of 5510 admissions for COVID-19 were recorded. The first wave accounted for 1823 (33%) admissions and exhibited the highest proportion of severe patients: 65% with bilateral pneumonia and 83% with oxygen saturation under 94% during admission and elevated levels of CRP, IL-6, and D-dimer. In contrast, the seventh wave had the highest median age (79 years) and comorbidity (Charlson: 2.7), while only 3% of patients had bilateral pneumonia and 3% required intubation. The overall mortality rate was 10.3%. The first wave represented 39% of the total. The variables related to mortality were age (OR: 1.08, 1.07-1.09), cancer (OR: 1.99, 1.53-2.60), dementia (OR: 1.82, 1.20-2.75), the Charlson index (1.38, 1.31-1.47), the need for high-flow oxygen (OR: 6.10, 4.94-7.52), mechanical ventilation (OR: 11.554, 6.996-19.080), and CRP (OR: 1.04, 1.03-1.06). (4) Conclusions: The variables associated with mortality included age, comorbidity, respiratory failure, and inflammation. Differences in the baseline characteristics of admitted patients explained the differences in mortality in each wave. Differences observed between patients admitted in the latest wave and the earlier ones suggest that COVID-19 has evolved into a distinct disease, requiring a distinct approach.

Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Population Study of 500 Hospitalised Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Spanish Population of 220,000 Inhabitants.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of fully and partially vaccinated or unvaccinated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were hospitalised in a population of 220,000 habitants. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, and population studies were conducted on patients who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 from March to October 2021. We assessed the impact of vaccination and other risk factors through Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 500 patients were hospitalised, among whom 77 (15.4%) were fully vaccinated, 86 (17.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 337 (67.4%) were unvaccinated. Fully vaccinated (FV) patients were older and had a higher Charlson index than those of partially vaccinated and unvaccinated patients (NFV). Bilateral pneumonia was more frequent among NFV (259/376 (68.9%)) than among FV patients (32/75 (42.7%)). The former had more intensive care unit admissions (63/423) than the latter (4/77); OR: 2.80; CI (1.07-9.47). Increasing age HZ: 1.1 (1.06-1.14)) and haematological disease at admission HZ: 2.99 (1.26-7.11)) were independent risk factors for higher mortality during the first 30 days of hospitalisation. The probability of an earlier discharge in the subgroup of 440 patients who did not die during the first 30 days of hospitalisation was related to age (older to younger: HZ: 0.98 (0.97-0.99)) and vaccination status. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients hospitalised because of COVID-19, complete vaccination was associated with less severe forms of COVID-19, with an earlier discharge date. Age and haematological disease were related to a higher mortality rate during the first 30 days of hospitalisation.

Prognostic factors and combined use of tocilizumab and corticosteroids in a Spanish cohort of elderly COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in elderly patients is more aggressive and treatments have shown limited efficacy. Our objective is to describe the clinical course and to analyze the prognostic factors associated with a higher risk of mortality of a cohort of patients older than 80 years. In addition, we assess the efficacy of immunosuppressive treatments in this population. We analyzed the data from 163 patients older than 80 years admitted to our institution for COVID-19, during March and April 2020. A Lasso regression model and subsequent multivariate Cox regression were performed to select variables predictive of death. We evaluated the efficacy of immunomodulatory therapy in three cohorts using adjusted survival analysis. The mortality rate was 43%. The mean age was 85.2 years. The disease was considered severe in 76.1% of the cases. Lasso regression and multivariate Cox regression indicated that factors correlated with hospital mortality were: age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.22), alcohol consumption (HR 3.15, 95% CI: 1.27-7.84), CRP > 10 mg/dL (HR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.36-5.24), and oxygen support with Venturi Mask (HR 6.37, 95% CI: 2.18-18.62) or reservoir (HR 7.87, 95% CI: 3.37-18.38). Previous treatment with antiplatelets was the only protective factor (HR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.96). In the adjusted treatment efficacy analysis, we found benefit in the combined use of tocilizumab (TCZ) and corticosteroids (CS) (HR 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.74) compared to standard treatment, with no benefit of CS alone (HR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.53-1.71). Hospitalized elderly patients suffer from a severe and often fatal form of COVID-19 disease. In this regard, several parameters might identify high-risk patients upon admission. Combined use of TCZ and CS could improve survival.

Performance of the 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-related disease and clinical phenotypes in a Spanish multicentre registry (REERIGG4).

OBJECTIVES: Several IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) phenotypes have been proposed and the first set of classification criteria have been recently created. Our objectives were to assess the phenotype distribution and the performance of the classification criteria in Spanish patients as genetic and geographical differences may exist. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional multicentre study (Registro Español de Enfermedad Relacionada con la IgG4, REERIGG4) with nine participating centres from Spain. Patients were recruited from November 2013 to December 2018. The 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria (AECC) were used. RESULTS: We included 105 patients; 88% had Caucasian ethnicity. On diagnosis, 86% met the international pathology consensus while 92% met the Japanese comprehensive criteria. The phenotype distribution was head and neck 25%, Mikulicz and systemic (MS) 20%, pancreato-hepato-biliary (PHB) 13%, retroperitoneal and aorta (RA) 26%. Sixteen per cent had an undefined phenotype. Seventy-seven per cent of the cases met the AECC. From the 24 patients not meeting the AECC, 33% met exclusion criteria, and 67% did not get a score ≥20 points. Incomplete pathology reports were associated to failure to meet the AECC. CONCLUSIONS: The PHB phenotype was rare among Spanish IgG4-RD patients. The MS phenotype was less frequent and the RA phenotype was more prevalent than in other, Asian patient series. An undefined phenotype should be considered as some patients do not fall into any of the categories. Three quarters of the cases met the 2019 AECC. Incomplete pathology reports were the leading causes of failure to meet the criteria.