Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with covid-19 in a tertiary care center in Mexico City: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background: Regional information regarding the characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is needed for a better understanding of the pandemic. Objective: The objective of the study to describe the clinical features of COVID-19 patients diagnosed in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City and to assess differences according to the treatment setting (ambulatory vs. hospital) and to the need of intensive care (IC). Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort, including consecutive patients with COVID-19 from February 26, 2020 to April 11, 2020. Results: We identified 309 patients (140 inpatients and 169 outpatients). The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 33-54), 59.2% men, and 18.6% healthcare workers (12.3% from our center). The median body mass index (BMI) was 29.00 kg/m2 and 39.6% had obesity. Compared to outpatients, inpatients were older, had comorbidities, cough, and dyspnea more frequently. Twenty-nine (20.7%) inpatients required treatment in the IC unit (ICU). History of diabetes (type 1 or 2) and abdominal pain were more common in ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients. ICU patients had higher BMIs, higher respiratory rates, and lower room-air capillary oxygen saturations. ICU patients showed a more severe inflammatory response as assessed by white blood cell count, neutrophil and platelet count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, procalcitonin, and albumin levels. By the end of the study period, 65 inpatients had been discharged because of improvement, 70 continued hospitalized, and five had died. Conclusions: Patients with comorbidities, either middle-age obese or elderly complaining of fever, cough, or dyspnea, were more likely to be admitted. At admission, patients with diabetes, high BMI, and clinical or laboratory findings consistent with a severe inflammatory state were more likely to require IC.

Hipocalcemia sintomática como manifestación de enfermedad celíaca en el adulto. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Symptomatic hypocalcemia as a rare celiac disease manifestation in adulthood. A case presetation and literature review

Resumen La enfermedad celíaca (EC) es un padecimiento sistémico con base inmunológica caracterizado por la intolerancia al gluten. La prevalencia mundial se ha reportado aproximadamente en 1%. El diagnóstico depende de la sintomatología, pruebas serológicas y resultado de la biopsia de intestino delgado. El cuadro clínico típico se caracteriza por diarrea, malabsorción y pérdida de peso. La enfermedad celiaca fue clásicamente descrita como una enfermedad de presentación en la infancia, sin embargo, su diagnóstico en la etapa adulta se ha vuelto más común. Existe una transición en la presentación de esta entidad, desde pacientes con síntomas típicos hasta pacientes asintomáticos. La identificación de estos últimos ha sido posible por la detección de anticuerpos séricos y los hallazgos de biopsias de intestino realizadas por otro motivo. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 57 años de edad que acude al servicio de urgencias por síntomas gastrointestinales y clínica neuropática. A la exploración física destacó la presencia de los signos de Chvostek y Trousseau. Se solicitaron estudios de laboratorio generales en los que destacó la presencia de hipocalcemia, por lo que requirió manejo con infusión de calcio intravenoso. Se complementó el abordaje con estudios que sugirieron malabsorción. Se realizó panendoscopía y colonoscopia con toma de biopsias, en las que se reportaron hallazgos sugestivos de enfermedad celiaca Marsh 3B. Finalmente, se solicitaron anticuerpos antitransglutaminasa, los cuales se reportaron postivos. Fue así que se integró el diagnóstico de EC. Se inició manejo con dieta libre de gluten con posterior mejoría.

Abstract Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic process with an immunological basis characterized by gluten intolerance. The worldwide prevalence that has been reported is of approximately 1%. The diagnosis depends on the symptomatology, serological tests and the results of a small bowel biopsy. The typical clinical presentation is characterized by diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss. Reports describe that the celiac disease is typically found in childhood, however, its diagnosis in adulthood has become a lot more common. A transition exists in the presentation of this nosological entity, from patients with typical symptoms to patients with an asymptomatic type. The identification of the latter has been possible with the detection of serum antibodies and the findings of bowel biopsies performed for other reasons. We present the case of a 57-year old male patient who arrived to the emergency room due to gastrointestinal and neuropathic symptoms. The physical examination highlighted the presence of Chvostek and Trousseau signs. General laboratory studies were requested, and hypocalcemia was identified; hence, a treatment with intravenous calcium infusion was required. The approach was complemented with other studies that suggested malabsorption. A panendoscopy and a colonoscopy with biopsies were performed. The findings suggested a Marsh 3B celiac disease. Finally, antitransglutaminase antibodies were requested and were reported as positive; therefore, a celiac disease diagnosis was made. The treatment started with a gluten-free diet, showing a subsecuent improvement.