RESUMO
BackgroundWe evaluated the role of CRP and other laboratory parameters in predicting the worsening of clinical conditions during hospitalization, ICU admission and fatal outcome among patients with COVID-19. MethodsWe enrolled consecutive adult inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and respiratory symptoms treated in three different COVID centres. We looked for laboratory parameters collected within 48 hours from hospital admission as predictors of clinical condition. ResultsThree-hundred ninety patients were included in the study. At the correlation and regression analysis, age, baseline CRP and LDH were associated with a P/F ratio<200 during hospitalization. At the multivariate analysis, male gender and CRP > 60 mg/l at admission showed to be independently associated with ICU admission. Lymphocytes<1000 cell/L at admission were associated with worst P/F ratio. The only laboratory predictor of fatal outcome was CRP>60 mg/l at admission. Based on these results, we devised an 11-points numeric ordinary score based on age, sex, CRP and LDH at admission (ASCL score). Patients with ASCL score of 0 or 2 showed to be protected against a P/F ratio<200, while patients with ASCL score of 6, 7 and 8 showed to be at risk for P/F ratio<200. Patients with ASCL score[≥]7 had a significant increase to die during the hospitalization. ConclusionsPatients with CRP>60 mg/l or LDH>300 IU/l at hospital admission, as well as patients with an ASCL score>6 at hospital admission, should be prioritized for careful respiratory function monitoring and early treatment to prevent a progression of the disease.
RESUMO
Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir are the first available oral antivirals (OA) active against SARS-CoV-2. However, the trials evaluating the efficacy of OAs involved patients unvaccinated and infected with variants different from those currently circulating. The purpose of this study is to provide real-life data on the efficacy and safety of OAs during the omicron surge of COVID-19 pandemic in a cohort of mostly vaccinated patients. We conducted a retrospective study on patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with OAs during the omicron surge in Italy. We enrolled 257 patients. Of these, 146 (56.8%) were treated with molnupiravir and 111 (43.2%) with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Patients in molnupiravir group were older, had a lower body mass index, and a higher rate of chronic heart disease than those treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. During the 14-day follow-up, four hospitalizations were recorded (1.6%), three in molnupiravir (2.1%) and 1 in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (0.9%) group. Only one patient (who had received molnupiravir) died. Median time-to-negativity of nasal swab was 8 days (8 days in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir vs. 10 days in molnupiravir group, p<0.01). Globally, we recorded 37 adverse drug reactions (mainly dysgeusia, diarrhea, and nausea) in 31 of 257 individuals (12.1%). Only two patients (0.8%), both receiving molnupiravir, terminated treatment due to the development of adverse drug reactions. In conclusion, during the omicron surge, in a population of mostly vaccinated patients treated with molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, we observed a low rate of hospitalization, death, and adverse drug reactions. These rates were even lower than those reported in pivotal trials.