RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic posed a real need for clinicians to identify patients at risk of poor prognosis as soon as possible after hospital admission. AIM: The study aimed to assess the role of baseline anamnestic information, clinical parameters, instrumental examination, and serum biomarkers in predicting adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in a hospital setting of Internal Medicine. METHODS: Fifty-two inpatients consecutively admitted to the Unit of Internal Medicine "Baccelli," Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria Policlinico of Bari (February 1 - May 31, 2021) due to confirmed COVID-19 were grouped into two categories based on the specific outcome: good prognosis (n=44), patients discharged at home after the acute phase of the infection; poor prognosis, a composite outcome of deaths and intensive care requirements (n=8). Data were extracted from medical records of patients who provided written informed consent to participate. RESULTS: The two study groups had similar demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and radiological characteristics. Higher interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and leucocyte count, and lower free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were found in patients with poor than those with good prognosis. Higher IL-6 levels and leucocyte count, lower fT3 concentration, and pre-existing hypercholesterolemia were independent risk factors of poor outcomes in our study population. A predicting risk score, built by assigning one point if fT3 < 2 pg/mL, IL-6 >25 pg/mL, and leucocyte count >7,000 n/mm3, revealed that patients totalizing at least 2 points by applying the predicting score had a considerably higher risk of poor prognosis than those with scoring <2 points [OR 24.35 (1.32; 448), p = 0.03]. The weight of pre-existing hypercholesterolemia did not change the risk estimation. CONCLUSION: Four specific baseline variables, one anamnestic (pre-existing hypercholesterolemia) and three laboratory parameters (leucocyte count, IL-6, and fT3), were significantly associated with poor prognosis as independent risk factors. To prevent adverse outcomes, the updated 4-point score could be useful in identifying at-risk patients, highlighting the need for specific trials to estimate the safety and efficacy of targeted treatments.
RESUMO
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a pandemic challenge for the last year. Cardiovascular disease is the most described comorbidity in COVID-19 patients, and it is related to the disease severity and progression. COVID-19 induces direct damage on cardiovascular system, leading to arrhythmias and myocarditis, and indirect damage due to endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation with a high inflammatory burden. Indirect damage leads to myocarditis, coagulation abnormalities and venous thromboembolism, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Kawasaki-like disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Imaging can support the management, assessment and prognostic evaluation of these patients. Ultrasound is the most reliable and easy to use in emergency setting and in the ICU as a first approach. The focused approach is useful in management of these patients due its ability to obtain quick and focused results. This tool is useful to evaluate cardiovascular disease and its interplay with lungs. However, a detailed echocardiography evaluation is necessary in a complete assessment of cardiovascular involvement. Computerized tomography is highly sensitive, but it might not always be available. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance and nuclear imaging may be helpful to evaluate COVID-19-related myocardial injury, but further studies are needed. This review deals with different modalities of imaging evaluation in the management of cardiovascular non-ischaemic manifestations of COVID-19, comparing their use in emergency and in intensive care.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIM: The review aimed to summarize advances in the topic of endocrine diseases and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Scientific and institutional websites and databases were searched and data were collected and organized, when plausible, to angle the discussion toward the following clinical issues. (1) Are patients with COVID-19 at higher risk of developing acute or late-onset endocrine diseases or dysfunction? (2) May the underlying endocrine diseases or dysfunctions be considered risk factors for poor prognosis once the infection has occurred? (3) Are there defined strategies to manage endocrine diseases despite pandemic-related constraints? Herein, the authors considered only relevant and more frequently observed endocrine diseases and disorders related to the hypothalamic-pituitary region, thyroid and parathyroid glands, calcium-phosphorus homeostasis and osteoporosis, adrenal glands, and gonads. Main. Data highlight the basis of some pathophysiological mechanisms and anatomical alterations of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced endocrine dysfunctions. Some conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency and cortisol excess, may be risk factors of worse clinical progression once the infection has occurred. These at-risk populations may require adequate education to avoid the SARS-CoV-2 infection and adequately manage medical therapy during the pandemic, even in emergencies. Endocrine disease management underwent a palpable restraint, especially procedures requiring obligate access to healthcare facilities for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Strategies of clinical triage to prioritize medical consultations, laboratory, instrumental evaluations, and digital telehealth solutions should be implemented to better deal with this probably long-term situation.
