Survival Analysis and Contributing Factors among PCR-Confirmed Adult Inpatients during the Endemic Phase of COVID-19.

In May 2023, the global health emergency status of COVID-19 concluded, marking the onset of an endemic era. This study assessed survival rates among PCR-confirmed adult inpatients during this phase and determined contributing factors. Employing a survival analysis approach, this investigation utilized a nationwide Mexican cohort encompassing 152 adult inpatients. Survival rates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a proportional Cox model identified mortality risk factors. Survival rates remained above 65% on day 14 after admission. Vaccination status, including the number of doses administered, was not significantly associated with fatal outcomes. Chronic kidney disease or a history of immunosuppression (due to any cause) increased mortality risk. Our findings underscore the persistent severity of COVID-19 beyond the global health emergency, emphasizing the necessity for tailored interventions for vulnerable patients.

Assessing the Influence of COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage on Excess Mortality across 178 Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on global health, necessitating urgent and effective strategies to mitigate its consequences. Vaccination programs have been implemented worldwide to combat virus transmission and reduce the disease burden. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination coverage and all-cause excess mortality in 178 nations during the first two years of the pandemic. Multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for life expectancy at birth, confirmed a significant association between higher vaccination coverage and lower all-cause mortality rates (ß = -106.8, 95% CI -175.4 to -38.2, p = 0.002). These findings underscore the importance of vaccination campaigns in reducing overall mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-based decision making and resource allocation can benefit from this information, facilitating the optimization of vaccination strategies for maximal impact on mortality reduction. Further research and continuous monitoring are crucial to understanding the long-term effects of vaccination coverage on population health in the ongoing pandemic.

Vitamin D and its correlation with blood lipids and intima-media thickness in term infants / Vitamina D y su correlación con los lípidos en sangre y el grosor de la íntima-media en lactantes

Background: an association between low 25(OH)D levels and blood lipids has been identified in children, adolescents, and adults but not in the early stages of life, and a relation to carotid and aortic intima-media thickness has not been well studied and is controversial. Objective: to identify whether 25(OH)D levels are correlated with blood lipids and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness in infants aged 3 to 9 months. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 109 healthy term infants between the ages of 3 and 9 months. Serum vitamin D [25(OH)D], total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. Feeding method, vitamin D supplementation, and sun exposure habits were recorded. Results: only 2.8 % (n = 3) and 10.1 % (n = 14) had vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively. Infants with inadequate levels of vitamin D were younger (< 6 months) (p = 0.004), and a lower percentage of their body surface area was exposed to the sun (p = 0.006). A significant positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels and non-HDL-cholesterol in the infants that consumed breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.600, p < 0.001) or were partially breastfed (rho = 0.371, p = 0.026), whereas a positive correlation was found with total cholesterol in the infants receiving breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.618, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between vitamin D and aortic or carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusions: there was a positive correlation between 25(OH)D levels and both total and non-HDL-cholesterol only in infants receiving breastmilk substitutes. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was low. (AU)

Introducción: se ha identificado una asociación entre los niveles de 25(OH)D y de lípidos en sangre en los niños, adolescentes y adultos, pero no en las primeras etapas de la vida, mientras que la asociación con el grosor de la íntima-media aórtica (a-IMT) o carotídea (c-IMT) no se ha estudiado totalmente y es objeto de controversia. Objetivo: identificar si existe correlación entre los niveles de 25(OH)D y de lípidos en sangre y el a-IMT y c-IMT en lactantes de 3 a 9 meses. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en 109 lactantes sanos de entre 3 y 9 meses de edad; se midieron la vitamina D sérica [25(OH)D], el colesterol total, el colesterol HDL, el colesterol no HDL, el a-IMT y el c-IMT. Se registraron el tipo de alimentación, la suplementación con vitamina D y la exposición solar. Resultados: aquellos con niveles inadecuados de vitamina D fueron los menores de 6 meses (p = 0,004) y los expuestos en un menor porcentaje de su cuerpo al sol (p = 0,006). Se encontró una correlación positiva significativa entre la 25(OH)D, el colesterol total (rho = 0,618, p < 0,001) y el colesterol no HDL (rho = 0,600, p < 0.001) en aquellos que consumían sustitutos de la leche materna. No se encontró correlación entre la vitamina D y el grosor de la íntima-media aórtica o carotídea. Solo el 2,8 % y el 10,1 % presentaron deficiencia e insuficiencia de vitamina D, respectivamente. Conclusiones: se encontró una correlación positiva entre los niveles de 25(OH)D, colesterol total y colesterol no HDL en los lactantes que recibían sustitutos de la leche materna. (AU)

Vitamin D and its correlation with blood lipids and intima-media thickness in term infants.

INTRODUCTION: Background: an association between low 25(OH)D levels and blood lipids has been identified in children, adolescents, and adults but not in the early stages of life, and a relation to carotid and aortic intima-media thickness has not been well studied and is controversial. Objective: to identify whether 25(OH)D levels are correlated with blood lipids and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness in infants aged 3 to 9 months. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 109 healthy term infants between the ages of 3 and 9 months. Serum vitamin D [25(OH)D], total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. Feeding method, vitamin D supplementation, and sun exposure habits were recorded. Results: only 2.8 % (n = 3) and 10.1 % (n = 14) had vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively. Infants with inadequate levels of vitamin D were younger (< 6 months) (p = 0.004), and a lower percentage of their body surface area was exposed to the sun (p = 0.006). A significant positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels and non-HDL-cholesterol in the infants that consumed breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.600, p < 0.001) or were partially breastfed (rho = 0.371, p = 0.026), whereas a positive correlation was found with total cholesterol in the infants receiving breastmilk substitutes (rho = 0.618, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between vitamin D and aortic or carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusions: there was a positive correlation between 25(OH)D levels and both total and non-HDL-cholesterol only in infants receiving breastmilk substitutes. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was low.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: se ha identificado una asociación entre los niveles de 25(OH)D y de lípidos en sangre en los niños, adolescentes y adultos, pero no en las primeras etapas de la vida, mientras que la asociación con el grosor de la íntima-media aórtica (a-IMT) o carotídea (c-IMT) no se ha estudiado totalmente y es objeto de controversia. Objetivo: identificar si existe correlación entre los niveles de 25(OH)D y de lípidos en sangre y el a-IMT y c-IMT en lactantes de 3 a 9 meses. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en 109 lactantes sanos de entre 3 y 9 meses de edad; se midieron la vitamina D sérica [25(OH)D], el colesterol total, el colesterol HDL, el colesterol no HDL, el a-IMT y el c-IMT. Se registraron el tipo de alimentación, la suplementación con vitamina D y la exposición solar. Resultados: aquellos con niveles inadecuados de vitamina D fueron los menores de 6 meses (p = 0,004) y los expuestos en un menor porcentaje de su cuerpo al sol (p = 0,006). Se encontró una correlación positiva significativa entre la 25(OH)D, el colesterol total (rho = 0,618, p < 0,001) y el colesterol no HDL (rho = 0,600, p < 0.001) en aquellos que consumían sustitutos de la leche materna. No se encontró correlación entre la vitamina D y el grosor de la íntima-media aórtica o carotídea. Solo el 2,8 % y el 10,1 % presentaron deficiencia e insuficiencia de vitamina D, respectivamente. Conclusiones: se encontró una correlación positiva entre los niveles de 25(OH)D, colesterol total y colesterol no HDL en los lactantes que recibían sustitutos de la leche materna.