Mortality reduction in older COVID-19-patients hospitalized in Spain during the second pandemic wave from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic followed a two-wave pattern in most countries. Hospital admission for COVID-19 in one wave or another could have affected mortality, especially among the older persons. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the admission of older patients during the different waves, before SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was available, was associated with a different mortality. We compared the mortality rates of patients hospitalized during 2020 before (first wave) and after (second wave) July 7, 2020, included in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a large, multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients admitted to 126 Spanish hospitals for COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control for changes in either the patient or disease profile. As of December 26, 2022, 22,494 patients had been included (17,784 from the first wave and 4710 from the second one). Overall mortality was 20.4% in the first wave and 17.2% in the second wave (risk difference (RD) - 3.2%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 4.4 to - 2.0). Only patients aged 70 and older (10,973 patients: 8571 in the first wave and 2386 in the second wave) had a significant reduction in mortality (RD - 7.6%; 95% CI - 9.7 to - 5.5) (unadjusted relative risk reduction: 21.6%). After adjusting for age, comorbidities, variables related to the severity of the disease, and treatment received, admission during the second wave remained a protective factor. In Spain, patients aged 70 years and older admitted during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly lower risk of mortality, except in severely dependent persons in need of corticosteroid treatment. This effect is independent of patient characteristics, disease severity, or treatment received. This suggests a protective effect of a better standard of care, greater clinical expertise, or a lesser degree of healthcare system overload.

Características clínicas, pronóstico y factores asociados de la bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus en la actualidad / Clinical characteristics and prognosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

Introducción. Describimos las características de los pacientes con bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus en un hospital de tercer nivel y analizamos sus complicaciones, la mortalidad y los factores asociados a las mismas. Métodos. Se analizaron de manera retrospectiva los datos de los pacientes ingresados con bacteriemia por S. aureus entre marzo de 2020 y febrero de 2021 en el hospital universitario Miguel Servet de Zaragoza. Resultados. La mortalidad a los 14 días fue del 24,2% y la mortalidad a los 30 días del 40%. La aparición de complicaciones [HR 3,1 (1,2-8,05)] y la edad >65 años [HR 3,1 (IC95% 1,4-6,6)] disminuyeron la supervivencia global de manera significativa. En la regresión logística se asociaron a mayor mortalidad a los 30 días la edad >65 años [OR 6,3 (IC95% 1,7-23,1)], la presencia de sepsis [OR 19,3 (IC95% 5,4-68,7)] y solo con cierta tendencia, el número de frascos de HC (+) ≥3 [OR 5,4 (IC95% 0,8-34,1)]. Se asoció a mayor mortalidad a los 14 días el haber presentado sepsis [OR 58,2 (IC95% 5,7-592,9)], el número frascos de HC (+) ≥3 [OR 14,1 (IC95% 1,1-173,7)] y una edad >65 años [OR 1,1 (IC95% 1,03-1,1) años]. Cuando analizamos juntos aquellos con un TP ≤12 horas y un número frascos de HC (+) ≥3, la sepsis fue más frecuente [30 pacientes (66,6%) vs 15 pacientes (33,3%); OR 3,4 (IC95% 1,5-8)]. Conclusiones. La mortalidad a los 14 y a los 30 días fue elevada, observándose una peor evolución en los pacientes con mayor edad, presencia de sepsis, un mayor número de frascos de hemocultivos positivos y un tiempo hasta hemocultivos positivos ≤12 h. (AU)

Introduction. Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia patients characteristics at a tertiary hospital are described, and complications, mortality and associated factors are analyzed. Methods. Data from patients with S. aureus bacteremia admitted between March 2020 and February2021 at Miguel Servet university hospital in Zaragoza were retrospectively analyzed. Results. Results showed a 14 days mortality of 24.2% and an 30 days mortality of 40%. Overall survival decreased with complications appearance [HR 3.1 (1.2-8.05)] and age over 65 years [HR 3.1 (1.4-6.6)]. The adjusted analysis showed correlation between a higher mortality at 14 and 30 days with age over 65 years [OR 6.3 (1.7-23.1)], sepsis presence [OR 19.3 (5.4-68.7)] and number of positive (+) blood cultures ≥3 [OR 5.4 (0.8-34.1)]. Mortality at 14 days was associated with sepsis presence [OR 58.2 (5.7-592.9)], number of positive (+) blood cultures ≥3 [OR 14.1 (1.1-173.7)] and an older age [OR 1.1 (1.03-1.1)]. Analyzing time to positive blood cultures ≤12 hours and number of positive blood cultures ≥ 3 at the same time, frequency of sepsis increased [30 patients (66.6%) vs 15 patients (33.3%); OR 3.4 (IC95% 1.5-8)]. Conclusions. High 14- and 30-days mortality were found, as well as a worse evolution in older age patients, with sepsis presence, and with greater number of positive blood cultures and times to positive blood cultures ≤12 h. (AU)

Impacto de la bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus en pacientes con COVID-19 / Impact of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in COVID-19 patients

Introducción. La enfermedad causada por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha supuesto un desafío para los profesionales sanitarios desde su aparición. Staphylococcus aureus es uno de los principales patógenos causantes de infecciones bacterianas en pandemias virales. Sin embargo, se debe estudiar bien la co-infección por S. aureus causante de bacteriemia en pacientes con COVID-19. Métodos. Se analizaron los casos de bacteriemia por S. aureus (BSA) atendidos en el Hospital Miguel Servet (Zaragoza) desde marzo de 2020 hasta febrero de 2021. Se compararon las características clínicas, los factores de riesgo y mortalidad de los pacientes con BSA asociada a COVID-19 respecto los pacientes no-COVID-19. Resultados. Se identificaron 95 pacientes con BSA. El 27,3% fueron COVID-19 positivos. La BSA representó el 9,9% de las bacteriemias, siendo el segundo microorganismo en frecuencia tras E. coli. La bacteriemia nosocomial fue más frecuente en el grupo de pacientes con COVID-19. La fuente de BSA fue desconocida en el 46,2% de los pacientes con COVID-19. La fuente de BSA más frecuente en estos pacientes fue la respiratoria (26,9% vs 0%; P<0,001) seguida de la cutánea (15,5% vs 15,9%; P=1). El desarrollo de sepsis fue más frecuente en los pacientes con COVID-19 (61,5% vs 7,8%; P=0,336) y de ellos, los que recibieron dosis de dexametasona >6 mg/día (62,5% vs 37,5%; P< 0,05). Conclusiones. Nuestros datos sugieren que la BSA influye negativamente en la evolución de los pacientes con COVID-19. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios y preferiblemente prospectivos para obtener datos sólidos sobre el impacto de la BSA en los pacientes con coronavirus. (AU)

Introduction. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has been a challenge for healthcare professionals since its appearance. Staphylococcus aureus has been described as one of the main pathogens causing bacterial infections in viral pandemics. However, co- infection with S. aureus causing bacteremia in patients with COVID-19 has yet to be well studied. Methods. We performed a e study of S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) at Hospital Miguel Servet (Zaragoza) from March 2020 to February 2021. The clinical characteristics, mortality and risk factors of adults hospitalized patients with BSA associated COVID-19 compared to patients without COVID-19. Results. A total of 95 patients with SAB were identified. 27.3% were positive for SARS-CoV-2. SAB represented 9.9% of bacteremia, being the second agent in frequency after E. coli. Nosocomial bacteremia was more frequent in the group of COVID-19 patients. The most frequent source of BSA in these patients was the respiratory source (26.9% vs 0%; P<0.001) followed by the skin (15.5% vs 15.9%; P=1). The development of sepsis was more frequent in COVID-19 patients (61,5% vs 7,8%; P=0,336) and among them, who received dexamethasone at doses > 6 mg/day (62.5% vs. 37.5%, P<0.05). Conclusions. Our data suggest that BSA has a negative impact on the evolution of patients with COVID-19. However, further and preferably prospective studies are required to obtain solid data on the impact of BSA on coronavirus patients. (AU)

The Prognostic Value of Eosinophil Recovery in COVID-19: A Multicentre, Retrospective Cohort Study on Patients Hospitalised in Spanish Hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: A decrease in blood cell counts, especially lymphocytes and eosinophils, has been described in patients with serious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but there is no knowledge of their potential role of the recovery in these patients' prognosis. This article aims to analyse the effect of blood cell depletion and blood cell recovery on mortality due to COVID-19. DESIGN: This work was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study of 9644 hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine's SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. SETTING: This study examined patients hospitalised in 147 hospitals throughout Spain. PARTICIPANTS: This work analysed 9644 patients (57.12% male) out of a cohort of 12,826 patients ≥18 years of age hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain included in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry as of 29 May 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure of this work is the effect of blood cell depletion and blood cell recovery on mortality due to COVID-19. Univariate analysis was performed to determine possible predictors of death, and then multivariate analysis was carried out to control for potential confounders. RESULTS: An increase in the eosinophil count on the seventh day of hospitalisation was associated with a better prognosis, including lower mortality rates (5.2% vs. 22.6% in non-recoverers, OR 0.234; 95% CI, 0.154 to 0.354) and lower complication rates, especially regarding the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (8% vs. 20.1%, p = 0.000) and ICU admission (5.4% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.000). Lymphocyte recovery was found to have no effect on prognosis. Treatment with inhaled or systemic glucocorticoids was not found to be a confounding factor. CONCLUSION: Eosinophil recovery in patients with COVID-19 who required hospitalisation had an independent prognostic value for all-cause mortality and a milder course.

Palliative Sedation in Patients Hospitalized in Internal Medicine Departments.

CONTEXT: Palliative sedation is used to relieve end-of-life refractory symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the use of palliative sedation in patients who die in internal medicine departments. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and multicenter clinical audit study was conducted in 145 hospitals in Spain and Argentina. Each hospital included the first 10 patients who died in the internal medicine department, starting on December 1, 2015. RESULTS: We included 1447 patients, and palliative sedation was administered to 701 patients (48.4%). Having a terminal illness (odds ratio [OR] 2.469, 95% CI 1.971-3.093, P < 0.001) and the length of hospital stay (OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.002-1.021, P = 0.017) were independently associated with the use of palliative sedation. Consent was granted by the families of 582 (83%) patients. The most common refractory symptom was dyspnea, and the most commonly used drugs for sedation were midazolam (77%) and morphine (89.7%). An induction dose was administered in 25.7% of the patients. Rescue doses were scheduled for 70% of the patients, and hydration was maintained in 49.5%. Pain was more common in patients with cancer, whereas dyspnea was more common in those without cancer. Rescue doses were used more often for the patients with cancer (77.8% vs. 67.7%, P = 0.015). Monitoring the palliative sedation with a scale was more frequent in the patients with cancer (23.7% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Palliative sedation is used more often for terminal patients. There are differences in the administration of palliative sedation between patients with and without cancer.

Enfisema subcutáneo secundario a perforación intestinal en paciente con enfermedad de Crohn / Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to intestinal perforation in a patient with Crohn's disease

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