Alterações mínimas em enzimas hepáticas à admissão hospitalar correlacionam-se à gravidade da COVID-19 em uma grande coorte no Brasil / Minimal liver enzymes abnormalities at admission are related to severe covid-19 clinical course in a large brazilian cohort

ABSTRACT Background: COVID-19 is a multisystemic disease, primarily affecting the respiratory system. Liver involvement is frequent, but the impact on the clinical course and outcomes are controversial. Objective: The aim was to assess liver function at the admission and evaluate its effects on severity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: This is a retrospective study of hospitalized patients in a tertiary hospital in Brazil, with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between April and October 2020. 1080 out of 1229 patients had liver enzymes on admission and were divided in two cohorts, based on the presence or absence of abnormal liver enzymes (ALE). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, clinical severity, and mortality were evaluated. Patients were followed until discharge, death or transfer to another institution. Results: Median age was 60 years and 51.5% were male. The more frequent comorbidities were hypertension (51.2%), and diabetes (31.6%). Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis were present in 8.6% and 2.3%, respectively. ALE (aminotransferases higher than 40 IU/L) were present in 56.9% of patients [mild (1-2 times): 63.9%; moderate (2-5 times): 29.8%; severe (>5 times): 6.3%]. Male gender [RR 1.49, P=0.007], increased total bilirubin [RR 1.18, P<0.001] and chronic liver disease [RR 1.47, P=0.015] were predictors of abnormal aminotransferases on admission. Patients with ALE had a higher risk of disease severity [RR 1.19; P=0.004]. There was no association among ALE and mortality. Conclusion: ALE is common in COVID-19 hospitalized patients and were independently correlated with severe COVID-19. Even mild ALE at admission may be a severity prognostic marker.

RESUMO Contexto: COVID-19 é uma doença sistêmica que afeta primariamente o sistema respiratório. O comprometimento hepático é frequente, mas seu impacto no curso clínico da doença ainda é controverso. Objetivo: Avaliar na admissão hospitalar a função hepática de pacientes com COVID-19 e correlacioná-la à gravidade e mortalidade da doença. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes admitidos a um hospital terciário no Brasil, com infecção confirmada por SARS-CoV-2 entre abril e outubro de 2020. A coorte foi dividida em pacientes com enzimas normais ou alterada, e avaliados dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem, bem como a gravidade clínica e a mortalidade. Os pacientes foram seguidos até a alta ou óbito. Resultados: 1080 de 1229 pacientes tiveram enzimas hepáticas na admissão. A mediana de idade foi de 60 anos e 51,5% eram homens. As comorbidades mais comuns foram hipertensão (51,2%) e diabetes mellitus (31,6%). Doença hepática crônica ou cirrose estiveram presentes em 8,6% e 2,3%, respectivamente. Enzimas normais ou alterada (aminotransferases >40 IU/L) esteve presente em 56,9% [leve (1-2 vezes o normal): 63,9%; moderada (2-5 vezes): 29,8%; acentuada (>5 vezes): 6,3%]. Homens [RR 1,49; P=0,007], bilirubina total elevada [RR 1,18; P<0,001] e doença hepática crônica [RR 1,47, P=0,015] foram preditores de enzimas normais ou alterada na admissão. Pacientes com enzimas normais ou alterada tiveram maior risco de COVID-19 grave [RR 1,19; P=0,004]. Não houve associação entre enzimas normais ou alterada e mortalidade. Conclusão: Enzimas normais ou alterada é comum em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19. Mesmo alterações mínimas correlacionam-se de forma independente com a gravidade da doença e podem ser úteis como marcador prognóstico.

Escala News2 y Quick COVID-19 Severity Index: Predictores de mortalidad en adultos con infección por SARS­CoV­2 / News2 scale and Quick COVID-19 Severity Index: Predictors of mortality in adults with SARS­CoV­2 infection

La alta morbi-mortalidad asociada con COVID-19, se ha desarrollado herramientas de estratificación de riesgo clínico para estos pacientes, con el fin de predecir la progresión a enfermedad grave y/o mortalidad. En este estudio se comparó la Escala Quick COVID19 Severity Index con News2 como predictor de mortalidad en adultos con infección por SARS ­ CoV-2, precisando su validez diagnóstica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, analítico, de pruebas diagnósticas. Se incluyeron a 255 pacientes, mayores de 18 años, hospitalizados en el Hospital II ­ I Moyobamba con diagnóstico de COVID-19, con requerimiento de oxígeno ≤6 Lt/min, en el periodo de enero a diciembre del 2020. Resultados: 13% (32/255) de los pacientes fallecieron, con predominio del sexo masculino 62,5% (20/32), con edad promedio de 50 años, los parámetros bioclínico valorados no demostraron asociación estadísticamente significativa, a excepción de la glucemia p: 0.01. En cuanto a las escalas, considerándose como puntaje alto ≥ 7 puntos; Quick Covid-19 Severity Index no tiene asociación significativa como predictor de mortalidad, con una sensibilidad y especificidad de 43,75% y 63,23% respectivamente; mientras que NEWS-2 arrojo sensibilidad de 87,50%; especificidad de 50,67%; AUC 0,768 (IC: 0,684-0,853; p 0,00); es decir existe más del 75% de probabilidad de pronóstico. Conclusión: la escala NEWS-2estadisticamente mostró ser una buena herramienta para el pronóstico de mortalidad en pacientes con infección con SARS ­ CoV ­ 2, se sugiere realizar estudios que confirme los hallazgos de esta investigación y valorar su aplicabilidad y reproducibilidad en otras poblaciones(AU)

Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, clinical risk stratification tools have been developed for these patients, in order to predict progression to severe disease and/or mortality. In this study, the Quick COVID19 Severity Index Scale was compared with News2 as a predictor of mortality in adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection, specifying its diagnostic validity. Materials and methods: Observational, retrospective, analytical study of diagnostic tests. 255 patients were included, over 18 years of age, hospitalized in Hospital II - I Moyobamba with a diagnosis of COVID-19, with an oxygen requirement of ≤6 Lt/min, from January to December 2020. Results: 13% (32/255) of the patients died, with a predominance of males 62.5% (20/32), with an average age of 50 years, the bioclinical parameters evaluated did not show a statistically significant association, except for the blood glucose p: 0.01. Regarding the scales, considering a high score ≥ 7 points; Quick Covid-19 Severity Index has no significant association as a predictor of mortality, with a sensitivity and specificity of 43.75% and 63.23%, respectively; while NEWS-2 showed sensitivity of 87.50%; specificity of 50.67%; AUC 0.768 (CI: 0.684-0.853, p 0.00); that is, there is more than 75% probability of prognosis. Conclusion: the NEWS-2 scale statistically showed to be a good tool for the prognosis of mortality in patients infected with SARS - CoV - 2, it is suggested to carry out studies that confirm the findings of this research and assess its applicability and reproducibility in other populations(AU)

Guiding equitable prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and strategic deployment in South Africa to enhance effectiveness and access to vulnerable communities and prevent waste

Background. In South Africa (SA), >2.4 million cases of COVID­19 and >72 000 deaths were recorded between March 2020 and 1 August 2021, affecting the country's 52 districts to various extents. SA has committed to a COVID­19 vaccine roll-out in three phases, prioritising frontline workers, the elderly, people with comorbidities and essential workers. However, additional actions will be necessary to support efficient allocation and equitable access for vulnerable, access-constrained communities. Objectives. To explore various determinants of disease severity, resurgence risk and accessibility in order to aid an equitable, effective vaccine roll-out for SA that would maximise COVID­19 epidemic control by reducing the number of COVID­19 transmissions and resultant deaths, while at the same time reducing the risk of vaccine wastage. Methods. For the 52 districts of SA, 26 COVID­19 indicators such as hospital admissions, deaths in hospital and mobility were ranked and hierarchically clustered with cases to identify which indicators can be used as indicators for severity or resurgence risk. Districts were then ranked using the estimated COVID­19 severity and resurgence risk to assist with prioritisation of vaccine roll-out. Urban and rural accessibility were also explored as factors that could limit vaccine roll-out in hard-to-reach communities. Results. Highly populated urban districts showed the most cases. Districts such as Buffalo City, City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay experienced very severe first and second waves of the pandemic. Districts with high mobility, population size and density were found to be at highest risk of resurgence. In terms of accessibility, we found that 47.2% of the population are within 5 km of a hospital with ≥50 beds, and this percentage ranged from 87.0% in City of Cape Town to 0% in Namakwa district. Conclusions. The end goal is to provide equal distribution of vaccines proportional to district populations, which will provide fair protection. Districts with a high risk of resurgence and severity should be prioritised for vaccine roll-out, particularly the major metropolitan areas. We provide recommendations for allocations of different vaccine types for each district that consider levels of access, numbers of doses and cold-chain storage capability.

Vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity

Background: Age, body mass index (BMI) and pre-existing comorbidities are known risk factors of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study we explore the relationship between vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity. Methods: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study. We enrolled 100 COVID-19 positive patients admitted to a tertiary level hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Fifty had symptomatic disease (COVID-19 pneumonia) and 50 who were asymptomatic (incidental diagnosis). Following written informed consent, patients were interviewed regarding age, gender and sunlight exposure during the past week, disease severity, BMI, calcium, albumin, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase levels. Finally, blood was collected for vitamin D measurement. Results: We found an 82% prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D levels were lower in the symptomatic group (18.1 ng/mL ± 8.1 ng/mL) than the asymptomatic group (25.9 ng/mL ± 7.1 ng/mL) with a p-value of 0.000. The relative risk of symptomatic COVID-19 was 2.5-fold higher among vitamin D deficient patients than vitamin D non-deficient patients (confidence interval [CI]: 1.14­3.26). Additional predictors of symptomatic disease were older age, hypocalcaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Using multiple regression, the only independent predictors of COVID-19 severity were age and vitamin D levels. The patients exposed to less sunlight had a 2.39-fold increased risk for symptomatic disease compared to those with more sunlight exposure (CI: 1.32­4.33). Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and an increased risk for symptomatic disease in vitamin D deficient patients.