ABSTRACT
Background To explore the risk factors associated with the viral shedding time in the elder Chinese patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron.Methods Participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron were enrolled in a retrospective study, and divided into two groups according to the shedding time of omicron [≥ 10 days, "late clearance group" and < 10 days, "early clearance group"].Results 180 patients were enrolled in the study (88 early, 92 late), with a median time of viral shedding was 10 days and a mean age of 77.02 years. When comparing patients between either group, prolonged SARS-CoV-2 omicron shedding was associated with old age (P = 0.007), unvaccinated (P = 0.001), delayed admission to hospital after illness onset (P = 0.001), D-dimer (P = 0.003) and methylprednisolone treatment (P = 0.048). In the multivariable analysis, vaccinated [OR], 0.319 [95% CI, 0.130–0.786], P = 0.013), paxlovid (OR, 0.259 [95% CI, 0.104–0.643], P = 0.004), and time from onset to admission (OR, 1.802 [95% CI, 1.391–2.355], P = 0.000) were significantly associated with viral clearance.Conclusions The older age, methylprednisolone therapy, and D-dimer were associated with prolonged duration of omicron viral shedding. The time from onset to hospitalization, unused paxlovid and unvaccinated were independent risk factors in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron.