Meningococcal meningitis in Spain in the Horizon 2030: A position paper.

Meningococcal meningitis (MM) and invasive meningococcal disease remain a major public health problem that generates enormous public alarm. It is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a Gram-negative diplococcus with an enormous capacity for acute and rapidly progressive disease, both episodic and epidemic in nature, with early diagnosis and treatment playing a major role. It occurs at any age, but is most common in children under 5 years of age followed by adolescents. Although most cases occur in healthy people, the incidence is higher in certain risk groups. Despite advances in reducing the incidence, it is estimated that in 2017 there were around 5 million new cases of MM worldwide, causing approximately 290,000 deaths and a cumulative loss of about 20,000,000 years of healthy life. In Spain, in the 2021/22 season, 108 microbiologically confirmed cases of MM were reported, corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.23 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This is a curable and, above all, vaccine-preventable disease, for which the World Health Organisation has drawn up a roadmap with the aim of reducing mortality and sequelae by 2030. For all these reasons, the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) and the Medical Associations of 8 other provinces of Spain, have prepared this opinion document on the situation of MM in Spain and the resources and preparation for the fight against it in our country. The COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens Committee of ICOMEM has invited experts in the field to participate in the elaboration of this document.

Incidence of T2DM and the role of baseline glycaemic status as a determinant in a metropolitan population in northern Madrid (Spain).

AIM: To estimate the incidence of T2DM and assess the effect of pre-T2DM (isolated impaired fasting glucose [iIFG], isolated impaired glucose tolerance [iIGT] or both) on progress to T2DM in the adult population of Madrid. METHODS: Population-based cohort comprising 1,219 participants (560 normoglycaemic and 659 preT2DM [418 iIFG, 70 iIGT or 171 IFG-IGT]). T2DM was defined based on fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c or use of glucose-lowering medication. We used a Cox model with normoglycaemia as reference category. RESULTS: During 7.26 years of follow-up, the unadjusted incidence of T2DM was 11.21 per 1000 person-years (95 %CI, 9.09-13.68) for the whole population, 5.60 (3.55-8.41) for normoglycaemic participants and 16.28 (12.78-20.43) for pre-T2DM participants. After controlling for potential confounding factors, the baseline glycaemic status was associated with higher primary effect on developing T2DM was iIGT (HR = 3.96 [95 %CI, 1.93-8.10]) and IFG-IGT (3.42 [1.92-6.08]). The HR for iIFG was 1.67 (0.96-2.90). Obesity, as secondary effect, was strongly significantly associated (HR = 2.50 [1.30-4.86]). CONCLUSIONS: Our incidence of T2DM is consistent with that reported elsewhere in Spain. While baseline iIGT and IFG-IGT behaved a primary effect for progression to T2DM, iIFG showed a trend in this direction.

Respiratory syncytial virus: A new era.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major public health problem that has undergone significant changes in recent years. First of all, it has become easier to diagnose with highly reliable and rapidly available confirmatory tests. This has led to a better understanding of its epidemiology and RSV has gone from being a disease of the pediatric age group, severe only in infants and immunosuppressed children, to being a common disease in people of all ages, particularly important in patients of advanced age or with immunosuppressive diseases. Recent therapeutic and prophylactic advances, both with long-lasting monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, are another reason for satisfaction. For these reasons, the COVID and Emerging Pathogens Committee of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has considered it pertinent to review this subject in the light of new knowledge and new resources for dealing with this infection. We have formulated a series of questions that we believe will be of interest not only to members of the College but also to any non-expert in this subject, with a particular focus on the situation of RSV infection in Spain.

COVID-19: On the threshold of the fifth year. The situation in Spain.

Despite having emerged from pandemic status, the incidence of COVID-19 episodes has recently increased in Spain, including pediatric cases and admissions to Intensive Care Units. Several recombinant variants are circulating among us, particularly XBB arising from two Omicron BA.2 sublineages with mutations in the genes encoding the spicule proteins that could increase binding to the ACE2 receptor and be more prone to immune escape. Faced with these, 3 pharmaceutical companies have developed vaccines adapted to the XBB.1.5 sublineage that are already available for administration in our setting with risks that should not be different from those of previous mRNA vaccines and with clearly favorable benefit/risk ratios. They should be applied to patients with potential for poor COVID-19 evolution and to collectives that have a particular relationship of proximity with them. Their application should be understood not only from a perspective of individual convenience but also from that of collective responsibility. The most convenient seems to be a simultaneous immunization of COVID-19 and influenza in our environment. In the therapeutic aspect, there is little to expect right now from antisera, but the already known antiviral drugs are still available and indicated, although their efficacy will have to be reevaluated due to their impact on populations that are mostly immunized and with a better prognosis than in the past. In our opinion, it is necessary to continue to make a reasonable and timely use of masks and other non-pharmacological means of protection.

Tuberculosis in Spain: An opinion paper.

This document is the result of the deliberations of the Committee on Emerging Pathogens and COVID-19 of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) regarding the current situation of tuberculosis, particularly in Spain. We have reviewed aspects such as the evolution of its incidence, the populations currently most exposed and the health care circuits for the care of these patients in Spain. We have also discussed latent tuberculosis, the reality of extrapulmonary disease in the XXI century and the means available in daily practice for the diagnosis of both latent and active forms. The contribution of molecular biology, which has changed the perspective of this disease, was another topic of discussion. The paper tries to put into perspective both the classical drugs and their resistance figures and the availability and indications of the new ones. In addition, the reality of direct observation in the administration of antituberculosis drugs has been discussed. All this revolution is making it possible to shorten the treatment time for tuberculosis, a subject that has also been reviewed. If everything is done well, the risk of relapse of tuberculosis is small but it exists. On the other hand, many special situations have been discussed in this paper, such as tuberculosis in pediatric age and tuberculosis as a cause for concern in surgery and intensive care. The status of the BCG vaccine and its present indications as well as the future of new vaccines to achieve the old dream of eradicating this disease have been discussed. Finally, the ethical and medicolegal implications of this disease are not a minor issue and our situation in this regard has been reviewed.

Advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in Spain. How and when is it justified to maintain it?

We address the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in the current epidemiological situation in Spain and after the declaration of the World Health Organization on May 5, 2023 of the end of COVID-19 as public health emergency. We advocate for prudence and flexibility, respecting the individual decision to wear a mask and emphasizing the need for its use when symptoms suggestive of a respiratory infection appear, in situations of special vulnerability (such as immunosuppression), or when caring for patients with those infections. At present, given the observed low risk of severe COVID-19 and the low transmission of other respiratory infections, we believe that it is disproportionate to maintain the mandatory use of masks in a general way in health centers and nursing homes. However, this could change depending on the results of epidemiological surveillance and it would be necessary to reconsider returning to the obligation in periods with a high incidence of respiratory infections.

Sexually transmitted infections in Spain: Current status.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are a major public health problem. The problems inherent to their diagnosis, treatment and prevention have to do not only with their nature, but also with organizational issues and overlapping competencies of the different health authorities in Spain. The real situation of STI in Spain, at present, is poorly known. For this reason, the Scientific Committee on COVID and Emerging Pathogens of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has formulated a series of questions on this subject which were distributed, not only among the members of the Committee, but also among experts outside it. The central health authorities provide very high and increasing figures for gonococcal infection, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis infection and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Both HIV infection and Monkeypox are two important STI caused by viruses in our environment, to which it should be added, mainly, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Emerging microorganisms such as Mycoplasma genitalium pose not only pathogenic challenges but also therapeutic problems, as in the case of N. gonohrroeae. The pathways that patients with suspected STI follow until they are adequately diagnosed and treated are not well known in Spain. Experts understand that this problem is fundamentally managed in public health institutions, and that Primary Care and Hospital Emergency Services, together with some institutions that deal monographically with this problem, are the recipients of most of these patients. One of the most serious difficulties of STI lies in the availability of the microbiological tests necessary for their diagnosis, particularly in this era of outsourcing of microbiology services. Added to this is the increased cost of implementing the latest generation of molecular techniques and the difficulties of transporting samples. It is clear that STI are not diseases to which the entire population is equally exposed and it is necessary to have a better knowledge of the risk groups where to focus the necessary interventions adapted to their characteristics. It should not be forgotten that STI are also a problem in the pediatric age group and that their presence can be a marker of sexual abuse with all that this implies in terms of health care and medicolegal activity. Finally, STI are infections that are associated with a high cost of care for which we have very little information. The possibility of expanding the automatic performance of laboratory tests for STI surveillance through laboratory routines is encountering ethical and legal problems that are not always easy to solve. Spain has created a ministerial area of specific attention to STI and there are plans to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these problems, but we still lack the necessary evidence on their impact. We cannot forget that these are diseases that transcend the individual and constitute a Public Health problem.

Nut Consumption and Depression: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses in Two Cohorts of Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between nut consumption and depression in two cohorts of older adults. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: The first cohort (Seniors-ENRICA-I or SE-I) included a representative sample of Spanish noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥65 years interviewed in 2010 and 2013. The second cohort (SE-II) included individuals from the Madrid region, Spain, aged ≥65 years interviewed in 2017 and in 2019. Nut consumption was estimated with a validated computer-based diet history. Depression was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed depression or the use of antidepressants. Logistic regression models were adjusted for the main confounders. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effect method was used to meta-analyze the results from both studies. A participant-level pooled analysis was conducted to examine the robustness of our analyses. RESULTS: The SE-I included 2278 individuals (233 prevalent cases) in the cross-sectional analysis and 1534 (108 incident cases) in the longitudinal analysis; the corresponding figures for SE-II were 2726 (407 prevalent cases) and 1566 (74 incident cases). In the meta-analysis of cross-sectional results from the two studies, compared to consuming <1 serving (30 g) of nuts/week, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for depression was 0.90 (0.64, 1.16) for consuming 1 to <3 servings/week and 0.92 (0.70, 1.13) for consuming ≥3 servings/week; the corresponding figures for the longitudinal results were 0.90 (0.41, 1.38) and 0.66 (0.35, 0.97). CONCLUSION: Nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of depression in a pooled longitudinal analysis using data from two cohorts of older adults. Nuts should be recommended as part of a healthy diet in older adults.

Association of blood manganese concentrations with 24-h based brachial and central blood pressure, and pulse-wave velocity.

Potential environmental determinants of BP and hypertension in older adults are far less known than their lifestyle risk factors. Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for life that may induce changes in blood pressure (BP), but the direction of the association is unclear. We aimed to examine the association of blood manganese (bMn) with 24-h-based brachial, central BP (cBP), and pulse-wave velocity (PWV). With this purpose, we analyzed data from 1009 community-living adults aged >65 years without BP medication. bMn was measured using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and 24-h BP with validated devices. The association of bMn (median: 6.77 µg/L; IQR: 5.59-8.27) with daytime brachial and central systolic (SBP) and with diastolic BP (DBP) was non-linear, with BP increases up to around the median of Mn and then stabilization or slight rightward decrease. Mean BP differences (95% confidence interval) comparing Mn Q2 to Q5 (vs Q1 quintile) for brachial daytime SBP were 2.56 (0.22; 4.90), 3.59 (1.22; 5.96), 3.14 (0.77; 5.51) and 1.72 (-0.68; 4.11) mmHg, respectively; and 2.22 (0.70, 3.73), 2.55 (1.01, 4.08), 2.45 (0.91; 3.98), and 1.68 (0.13; 3.24), respectively, for DBP. Daytime central-pressures showed a similar dose-response relationship with bMn as daytime brachial-pressures. The association with nighttime BP was linearly positive for brachial BPs, and only increasing for Q5 for cBP. Regarding PWV, a tendency to significant linear increase along bMn levels was observed (p-trend = 0.042). The present findings extend the scarce evidence on the association between Mn and brachial BP to 2 other vascular parameters, suggesting Mn levels as a candidate risk factor for increasing levels of both brachial and cBPs in older adults, yet further research is needed with larger cohort studies in adults at all age ranges.

Status of Herpes Zoster and Herpes Zoster Vaccines in 2023: A position paper.

Herpes zoster infection (HZ) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and frequent complications, especially post-herpetic neuropathy . The incidence of HZ increases with age and is more frequent in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that at least 60,000 people develop HZ each year in Spain. The usual forms of HZ are so clinically characteristic that they do not usually require microbiological confirmation, which is reserved for cases without cutaneous manifestations or with atypical presentation. There are currently two vaccines approved by the regulatory agencies and marketed in Spain to prevent the onset of HZ and its complications. The first (Zostavax®) was marketed by the company MSD and licensed in Europe in 2006 and is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is administered in a single dose, while the second (Shingrix®) is a recombinant vaccine, marketed in 2017 and requires two doses. While the former cannot be administered to immunocompromised persons, the latter can be prescribed to any group of adults. The criteria for the indication and financing of these vaccines have not been uniform in the various autonomous communities of Spain. These and other aspects of HZ have been discussed by a group of experts from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) whose criteria and opinions are included in this paper.

Insights for COVID-19 in 2023.

Predictions for a near end of the pandemic by the World Health Organization should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence indicates that the efficacy of a fourth dose of classical mRNA vaccines (BT162b2 or mRNA-1273) is low and short-lived in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in its predominant variant (Omicron). However, its efficacy is high against severe symptomatic infection, hospitalization and death. The new vaccines being introduced are bivalent and active against the Omicron variants. Potential new vaccines to be introduced in the coming year include a vaccine based on a recombinant protein that emulates the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein under development by the Spanish company Hipra, as well as vaccines for nasal or oral administration. Available information suggests that vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered in association with influenza vaccination without particular complications. New drugs against COVID-19, both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, are under investigation, but this does not seem to be the case with monoclonal antibodies. The indication to use masks in some circumstances will be maintained next year in view of the accumulation of scientific data on their efficacy. Finally, the long COVID or Post-COVID syndrome may continue to affect a very high proportion of patients who have had the disease, requiring combined diagnostic and therapeutic resources.

Plant-Based Diets and All-cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in a Nationwide Cohort in Spain: The ENRICA Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of a healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) and an unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Spanish adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 11,825 individuals 18 years of age or older, representative of the Spanish population, recruited between 2008 and 2010 and followed-up to 2020. Food consumption was collected at baseline using a validated dietary history, which served to calculate two plant-based diet indices based on 18 major food groups (range, 18-90 points). For (1) hPDI only the consumption of healthy plant foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, and tea/coffee) received positive scores; whereas for (2) uPDI, only the consumption of less healthy plant foods (fruit juices, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes, and sweets/desserts) received positive scores. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to estimate HRs and their 95% CIs. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10.9 and 9.8 years, 699 all-cause and 157 CVD deaths were ascertained, respectively. Each 10-point increase in hPDI was associated with 14% lower risk of all-cause death (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.99), and 37% lower risk of CVD death (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.85). No significant associations were found for uPDI. CONCLUSION: Higher adherence to an hPDI diet, but not to a uPDI, was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality. This suggests that the quality of the plant food consumed is paramount to achieve diet-related benefits in mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02804672.

Factores asociados con la mortalidad por SARS-CoV-2 en la población mayor de 75 años de la Comunidad de Madrid / Factors associated with mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in the population over 75 years of age in the Community of Madrid

Objetivo Diversos estudios han identificado factores asociados con el riesgo de muerte en pacientes infectados por SARS-CoV-2. Sin embargo, su tamaño muestral ha sido muchas veces limitado, y sus resultados parcialmente contradictorios. Este estudio ha evaluado los factores asociados con la mortalidad por COVID-19 en la población madrileña mayor de 75 años, en los pacientes infectados y en los hospitalizados hasta enero de 2021. Pacientes y métodos Estudio de cohortes de base poblacional con todos los residentes de la Comunidad de Madrid nacidos antes del 1 de enero de 1945 y vivos a 31 de diciembre de 2019. Se obtuvieron variables demográficas y clínicas de la historia clínica electrónica de atención primaria (AP-Madrid), de los ingresos hospitalarios a través del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD) y de la mortalidad a través del Índice Nacional de Defunciones (INDEF). Se recogieron los datos de infección, hospitalización y muerte por SARS-CoV-2 entre el 1 de marzo e 2020 y el 31 de enero de 2021. Resultados De los 587.603 sujetos incluidos en la cohorte, 41.603 (7,1%) desarrollaron una infección confirmada por SARS-CoV-2. De ellos, 22.362 (53,7% de los infectados) se hospitalizaron y 11.251 (27%) murieron. El sexo masculino y la edad fueron los factores más asociados con la mortalidad, si bien también contribuyeron numerosas comorbilidades. La asociación fue de mayor magnitud en los análisis poblacionales que en los análisis con pacientes infectados u hospitalizados. La mortalidad en los hospitalizados fue menor en la segunda ola (33,4%) que en la primera ola (41,2%) de la pandemia Conclusión La edad, el sexo y las numerosas comorbilidades se asocian con el riesgo de muerte por COVID-19. La mortalidad en los pacientes hospitalizados se redujo apreciablemente después de la primera ola de la pandemia (AU)

Objective Various studies have identified factors associated with risk of mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their sample size has often been limited and their results partially contradictory. This study evaluated factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in the population of Madrid over 75 years of age, in infected patients, and in hospitalized patients up to January 2021. Patients and Methods This population-based cohort study analyzed all residents of the Community of Madrid born before January 1, 1945 who were alive as of December 31, 2019. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from primary care electronic medical records (PC-Madrid), data on hospital admissions from the Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD, Minimum Data Set), and data on mortality from the Índice Nacional de Defunciones (INDEF, National Death Index). Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and death were collected from March 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. Results A total of 587,603 subjects were included in the cohort. Of them, 41,603 (7.1%) had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 22,362 (53.7% of the infected individuals) were hospitalized and 11,251 (27%) died. Male sex and age were the factors most closely associated with mortality, though many comorbidities also had an influence. The associations were stronger in the analysis of the total population than in the analysis of infected or hospitalized patients. Mortality among hospitalized patients was lower during the second wave (33.4%) than during the first wave (41.2%) of the pandemic. Conclusion Age, sex, and numerous comorbidities are associated with risk of death due to COVID-19. Mortality in hospitalized patients declined notably after the first wave of the pandemic (AU)

Factors associated with mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in the population over 75 years of age in the Community of Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: Various studies have identified factors associated with risk of mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their sample size has often been limited and their results partially contradictory. This study evaluated factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in the population of Madrid over 75 years of age, in infected patients, and in hospitalized patients up to January 2021. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This population-based cohort study analyzed all residents of the Community of Madrid born before January 1, 1945 who were alive as of December 31, 2019. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from primary care electronic medical records (PC-Madrid), data on hospital admissions from the Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD, Minimum Data Set), and data on mortality from the Índice Nacional de Defunciones (INDEF, National Death Index). Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and death were collected from March 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 587,603 subjects were included in the cohort. Of them, 41,603 (7.1%) had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 22,362 (53.7% of the infected individuals) were hospitalized and 11,251 (27%) died. Male sex and age were the factors most closely associated with mortality, though many comorbidities also had an influence. The associations were stronger in the analysis of the total population than in the analysis of infected or hospitalized patients. Mortality among hospitalized patients was lower during the second wave (33.4%) than during the first wave (41.2%) of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Age, sex, and numerous comorbidities are associated with risk of death due to COVID-19. Mortality in hospitalized patients declined notably after the first wave of the pandemic.

Monkeypox in humans: a new outbreak.

Infection caused by Monkeypox Virus (MPVX) has small rodents as its natural reservoir and both monkeys and humans are occasional hosts. The causative agent is an Orthopoxvirus (MPVX) that was isolated in monkeys in 1958 and proved capable of passing to humans in 1970. It remained contained in Africa, causing isolated episodes of infection, until 2003 when an outbreak occurred in the United States following importation of animals from that continent. Since then, anecdotal cases have continued to be reported outside Africa, usually very clearly linked to travelers to those countries, but in May 2022, a broad outbreak of this disease has begun, now affecting several continents, with the emergence of human cases of MPVX (H-MPVX) infection mainly among Men that have Sex with Men (MSM). The disease has an incubation time ranging from 5 to 15 days and is characterized by the presence of pustules, fever, malaise and headache. The presence of significant regional lymphadenopathy is a differential feature with episodes of classical smallpox. Proctitis and pharyngitis, with minimal skin lesions, may be another form of presentation. Diagnosis can be confirmed by PCR testing of lesions or by demonstration of MPVX in other body fluids or tissues, although in the appropriate epidemiologic setting the clinical picture is highly suggestive of the disease. Effective drug treatment has been developed as part of programs to protect against potential bioterrorist agents and smallpox vaccinees are known to have high protection against monkeypox. New vaccines are available, but neither the drugs nor the vaccines are yet freely available on the market. The prognosis of the disease appears, at least in adults in developed countries, to be good, with very low mortality figures and much less aggressive behavior than that described in classical smallpox. Isolation measures, essential for the control of the outbreak, have been published by the health authorities.

Lessons from COVID-19 for future disasters: an opinion paper.

A "Pandemic/Disaster Law" is needed to condense and organize the current dispersed and multiple legislation. The State must exercise a single power and command appropriate to each situation, with national validity. The production of plans for the use of land and real estate as potential centers for health care, shelter or refuge is recommended. There should be specific disaster plans at least for Primary Health Care, Hospitals and Socio-sanitary Centers. The guarantee of the maintenance of communication and supply routes is essential, as well as the guarantee of the autochthonous production of basic goods. The pandemic has highlighted the need to redefine the training plans for physicians who, in their different specialties, have to undertake reforms that allow a more versatile and transversal training. National research must have plans to be able to respond quickly to questions posed by the various crises, using all the nation's resources and in particular, all the data and capabilities of the health sector. Contingency plans must consider ethical aspects, and meet the needs of patients and families with a humanized approach. In circumstances of catastrophe, conflicts increase and require a bioethical response that allows the best decisions to be made, with the utmost respect for people's values. Rapid, efficient and truthful communication systems must be contained in a special project for this sector in critic circumstances. Finally, we believe that the creation of National Coordination Centers for major disasters and Public Health can contribute to better face the crises of the future.

[Factors associated with mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in the population over 75 years of age in the Community of Madrid]. / Factores asociados con la mortalidad por SARS-CoV-2 en la población mayor de 75 años de la Comunidad de Madrid.

Objective: Various studies have identified factors associated with risk of mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their sample size has often been limited and their results partially contradictory. This study evaluated factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in the population of Madrid over 75 years of age, in infected patients, and in hospitalized patients up to January 2021. Patients and methods: This population-based cohort study analyzed all residents of the Community of Madrid born before January 1, 1945 who were alive as of December 31, 2019. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from primary care electronic medical records (PC-Madrid), data on hospital admissions from the Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD, Minimum Data Set), and data on mortality from the Índice Nacional de Defunciones (INDEF, National Death Index). Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and death were collected from March 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. Results: A total of 587,603 subjects were included in the cohort. Of them, 41,603 (7.1%) had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 22,362 (53.7% of the infected individuals) were hospitalized and 11,251 (27%) died. Male sex and age were the factors most closely associated with mortality, though many comorbidities also had an influence. The associations were stronger in the analysis of the total population than in the analysis of infected or hospitalized patients. Mortality among hospitalized patients was lower during the second wave (33.4%) than during the first wave (41.2%) of the pandemic. Conclusion: Age, sex, and numerous comorbidities are associated with risk of death due to COVID-19. Mortality in hospitalized patients declined notably after the first wave of the pandemic.

The Medium-Term Changes in Health-Related Behaviours among Spanish Older People Lifestyles during Covid-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate general changes and investigate the association between diet quality, physical activity (PA), and sedentary time (ST) during COVID-19 lockdown and the subsequent 7-month changes in health-related behaviours and lifestyles in older people. PARTICIPANTS: 1092 participants (67-97y) from two Spanish cohorts were included. DESIGN: Telephone-based questionaries were used to evaluate health-related behaviours and lifestyle. Multinomial logistic regression analyses with diet quality, PA, and ST during lockdown as predictors for health-related behaviours changes post-lockdown were applied. RESULTS: Diet quality, PA, and ST significantly improved post-lockdown, while physical component score of the SF-12 worsened. Participants with a low diet quality during lockdown had higher worsening of post-lockdown ST and anxiety; whereas those with high diet quality showed less likelihood of remaining abstainers, worsening weight, and improving PA. Lower ST was associated with a higher likelihood of remaining abstainers, and worsening weight and improving social contact; nevertheless, higher ST was linked to improvement in sleep quality. Lower PA was more likely to decrease alcohol consumption, while higher PA showed the opposite. However, PA was more likely to be associated to remain abstainers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in lifestyle after lockdown, it had health consequences for older people. Particularly, lower ST during lockdown seemed to provide the most medium-term remarkable lifestyle improvements.