HIGH DOSE INTRAVENOUS ANAKINRA TREATMENT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN SEVERE AND CRITICAL COVID-19 PATIENTS: A PROPENSITY SCORE MATCHED STUDY IN A SINGLE CENTER

BackgroundIn COVID-19 severe disease course such as need of intensive care unit (ICU) as well as development of mortality is mainly due to cytokine storm.ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the high dose intravenous anakinra treatment response and outcome in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 compared to standard of care.MethodsThis retrospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary referral center. The study population consisted of two groups as follows;the patients receiving high dose intravenous anakinra (anakinra group) between 01.09.2021 and 01.02.2022 and the patients treated with standard of care (SoC, control group) as historical control group who were hospitalized between 01.07.2021 and 01.09.2021.ResultsAfter the propensity score 1:1 matching 79 patients in anakinra and 79 patients in SoC matched and included into the analysis. Mean±SD patient age was 67.4±16.7 and 67.1±16.3 years in anakinra and SoC group, respectively (p=0.9). Male gender was 38 (48.7 %) in anakinra and 36 (46.2 %) SoC (p=0.8). Overall, ICU admission was in 14.1 % (n=11) and 30.8 % (n=24) (p=0.013;OR: 6.2), intubation in 12.8 % (n=10) and 16.7 % (n=13) patients (p=0.5), 14.1 % (n=11) and 32.1 % (n=25) patients died in anakinra and control group, respectively (p=0.008;OR: 7.1)ConclusionIn our study mortality was lower in patients receiving anakinra compared to SoC. Intravenous high dose anakinra is safe and effective treatment in patients with severe and critical COVID-19.Table 1.Baseline clinical and laboratory features of patients receiving standard of care (SoC) and Anakinra before and after propensity score (PS) matchingBefore PS matchingAfter PS matchingVariablesAnakinra (n=148)SoC (n=114)p value (OR)Anakinra (n=78)SoC (n=78)p value (OR)Age (years) (mean±SD)66.8±1763.1±170.0967.4±16.767.1±16.30.9Gender, male (n, %)78 (52.7)45 (39.5)0.033 (4.5)38 (48.7)36 (46.2)0.8Duration of hospitalization (days) (median, IQR)11 (12)9 (7.3)0.027.5 (9)11 (8)0.01Comorbidities (n, %) Diabetes mellitus41/146 (28.1)39 (34.2)0.318 (23)31 (39.7)0.025 (5) Hypertension84/143 (58.7)64 (56)0.730 (61.5)50 (64)0.7 Coronary heart disease27/143 (19)24 (21)0.718 (23)20 (25.6)0.7 Heart failure18/143 (12.6)23 (20)0.114 (18)20 (25.6)0.24 Chronic renal failure31 (21)6 (5.3)<0.001 (13.06)15 (19)6 (7.7)0.035 (4.5) Chronic obstructive lung disease23/144 (16)19 (16.7)0.914 (18)15 (19)0.8 Dementia15/117 (12.8)2 (1.8)0.001 (10.4)3/61 (5)2 (2.6)0.5 Malignancy16/146 (11)8 (7)0.39 (11.5)6 (7.7)0.4 Immunosuppressive usage18/146 (12.3)2 (1.8)0.001 (10.08)5 (6.5)2 (2.6)0.2Disease severity (n, %) NIH score 3 (severe)57 (38.5)68 (59.6)0.001 (11.5)48 (61.5)44 (56.4)0.5 NIH score 4 (critical)91 (61.5)46 (40.4)30 (38.5)34 (43.6) mcHIS score (mean±SD)3.4±1.22.64±1.5<0.0012.9±13.1±1.30.2PS: Propensity score, SoC: Standard of care, OR: Odds ratio, SD: Standard deviation, IQR: Interquartile range, mcHIS: Modified Covid hyperinflammatory syndrome score, NIH: National Institute Health, ALT: Alanin aminotransferase, AST: Aspartate aminotransferaseTable 2.Outcomes of patients receiving SoC and Anakinra before and after PS matchingBefore PS matchingAfter PS matchingVariables (n, %)Anakinra (n=148)SoC (n=114)p value (OR)Anakinra (n=78)SoC (n=78)p value (OR)Pneumothorax3/134 (2.2)00.25*2/73 (2.7)00.5*Myocardial infarction3/132 (2.3)6 (5.3)0.32/72 (2.8)2/56 (3.6)1Pulmonary embolism4/134 (3)11 (9.6)0.034 (4.8)*3/73 (4.1)7 (9)0.3*Intensive care unit60 (40.5)25 (22)0.001 (10.2)11 (14.1)24 (30.8)0.013 (6.2)Intubation54 (36.5)13 (11.4)<0.001 (21.3)10 (12.8)13 (16.7)0.5Mortality56 (37.8)27 (23.7)0.015 (5.96)11 (14.1)25 (32.1)0.008 (7.1)PS: Propensity score, SoC: Standard of care, OR: Odds ratioREFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

Investigation of factors associated with countries' COVID-19 disease fatality rates

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the factors associated with the Covid-19 disease fatality rate of countries. Methods: The research is of ecological type. In the study, the relationship between Covid-19 disease fatality rates and variables like socioeconomic state, healthy life expectancy at birth, population ages 65 and above, cardiovascular disease frequency, tobacco use frequency, vaccination rates, Human Development Index, Gender Inequality Index and Global Gender Gap Index were investigated. Mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values were used to summarize data. Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationships and a linear regression model was established. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and thirty countries with no missing data were included in the study. Twelve point three percent of these countries were in low socioeconomic state. The mean fatality rate of 130 countries was 0.016..0.018. A statistically significant relationship was determined between fatality rate and all variables except tobacco use frequency (p<0.05). All the variables were included in the multiple linear regression model established for the prediction of the fatality rate. Among these variables, Global Gender Gap Index was the only variable that made a statistically significant contribution to the model. Conclusion: Considering these variables in similar epidemic disease states that may occur in the future and improving the conditions related to these variables on a global scale may be important to ensure epidemic control. AD -..zt..rk, E. N. Y.: Ankara Pursaklar Devlet Devlet Hastanesi, Turkey, ..zt..rk, M.: Ankara Pursaklar Devlet Hastanesi, Turkey, Uyar, M.: Necmettin Erbakan ..niversitesi Meram Tip Fak..ltesi Halk Sagligi ABD, Turkey. elifnyildirim@hotmail.com

The association of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio and hematological parameters with severity and prognosis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Objective: To investigate neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte (LMR), platelet/lymphocyte (PLR) ratios, and the value of these parameters in determining disease severity and progression in hospitalized COVID19 patients. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted retrospectively with 182 in-patients and 91 controls due to COVID19 between April-September 2020 in the chest diseases clinic. Hematological parameters and rates were compared with controls' parameters. Correlations and differences between hematological parameters and other parameters were investigated.

Comparison of Clinical and Laboratory Findings and Computed Tomography Findings of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients Followed-up in a Tertiary University Hospital

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a pandemic, a major global health concern. In this study, it was aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory and computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection followed up in our hospital. Materials and Methods: In this study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive patients hospitalized between 01.03.2020-31.05.2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography images of the patients were grouped as typical, indeterminate, atypical, and no pneumonia based on the Radiological Society of North America. After recording patient information on SPSS, clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were analyzed by comparing them to CT findings. Results: Among 237 RT-PCR positive patients, 104 (43.9%) were female and 133 (56.1%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 50.46 +/- 17.26 (18-92) years and the mean symptom onset time of the patients was 3.75 +/- 2.72 (median: 3) days. Eighty-seven of the patients (36.7%) had contact stories. Twenty-three (9.7%) patients were healthcare professionals. Of the patients, 49.8% had a comorbid disease. The most common referral complaint was cough with 66.7%. The most common treatment that patients received was hydroxychloroquine (96.2%). Anemia was detected in 61 (25.7%) patients, leukopenia in 104 (43.9%), lymphopenia in 25 (10.5%) and thrombocytopenia in 14 (5.9%). High rates were detected for C-reactive protein (CRP) in 221 (84%) patients, ferritin in 190 (80.2%) patients, D-dimer in 144 (60.8%) patients, fibrinogen in 147 (62%) patients and sedimentation (SED) in 172 (72.6%) patients. Headache was detected higher in patients with typical pneumonia findings in thorax CT (p=0.006). A statistically significant difference wasn't detected between other symptoms and CT findings. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts, SED, CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.001) levels were observed to be higher in patients with typical pneumonia findings on thorax CT. Conclusion: Some laboratory parameters, especially acute phase reactants, were found to be higher in patients with typical pneumonia on thorax CT compared to patients without pneumonia. In this viral infection, patients should be evaluated together with clinical, laboratory and CT findings.

COVID-19 infection in kidney transplant recipients: A multicenter experience in Istanbul

Background: Management of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) should include treatment of infection and regulation of immunosuppression but there is no consensus on this issue yet. In this study, we aimed to describe our experience in KTR with COVID-19. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included KTR who diagnosed with COVID-19 from five centers. The patients were categorized into two groups for the analysis. Patients had respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunctions were defined as severe pneumonia. All other cases were classified as moderate pneumonia. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: 40 patients (20 female) were reviewed over a median follow-up of 32 days (IQR, 14-51 days) after COVID-19. 5 patients died during the follow-up. The frequency of graft dysfunction was similar between groups (n=12 and n=2;p=0.615, respectively). The frequency of previous induction (n=18 and n=7;p=0.016, respectively) and rejection therapy (n=4 and n=3;p=0.023, respectively) was significantly increased in the group with severe pneumonia compared to the moderate pneumonia group. None of the patients using cyclosporine A developed severe pneumonia. Also, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that previous anti-rejection therapy (9.75 [95% CI, 1.223 to 77.724;P=0.032]) was the independent predictor for mortality. Conclusions: COVID-19 more commonly causes moderate or severe pneumonia in KTR. Immunosuppression should be carefully reduced in KTR. Induction therapy with lymphocyte depleting agents should be carefully avoided in KTR during the pandemic period.