Disease severity and patient recovery in COVID-19: an observational study comparing first and second wave admissions in London

ABSTRACT

P97 Table 1Demographics and clinical characteristics of participants at hospital admission and follow up for wave 1 and 2 admissions Wave 1 Wave 2 p-value N = 400 N = 400 Demographics and Lifestyle Age (years) (Median, IQR) 61 (50 -74) 61 (51 - 74) 0.59 Male gender (N,%) 247 (61.8%) 237 (59.3%) 0.47 Ethnicity (White) (N,%) 200 (50.0%) 195 (48.8%) 0.001* Smoking status – Never smoker (N,%) 215 (53.8%) 219 (54.8%) 0.58 BMI (kg/m2) (Median, IQR) 26.8 (24.1 - 29.4) 27.7 (24.3 - 31.6) 0.015 Underlying clinical status Clinical Frailty Score (Median, IQR) 2 (2, 4) N = 332 3 (2, 3) N = 384 0.001 Shielding Status (N,%) Extremely vulnerable HCP issued letter 32 (10.1%) 23 (7.2%) 39 (11.2%) 5 (1.4%) 0.001 Covid Admission Severity Parameters Total number of symptoms (Median, IQR) 4 (3 - 6) 3 (2 - 3) <0.0001 NEWS2 score (Median, IQR) 5 (2 - 7) N = 372 4 (3 - 6) N = 379 0.60 TEP status – For full escalation (N,%) 284/365 (77.8%) 361/400 (90.3%) <0.0001 Maximum respiratory support (N,%) CPAP NIV N= 377 10 (2.7%) 2 (0.5%) N = 400 32 (8.0%) 5 (1.3%) <0.0001 Received anti-viral or immunosuppressive drugs (N,%) 23/374 (6.2%) 127/400 (31.8%) <0.0001 ITU admission (N,%) 62/377 (16.5%) 43/400 (10.8%) 0.02 Intubation (N,%) 49/364 (13.5%) 19/400 (4.8%) <0.0001 Pulmonary Embolus (N,%) 22/360 (6.1%) 24/395 (6.1%) 0.98 Follow-up Outcomes N = 322 N = 365 Mental Health Outcomes PHQ2 score ≥ 3 (N,%) 47 (15.4%) 34 (9.9%) 0.04 TSQ score ≥ 5 (N,%) 44 (14.9%) 12 (3.3%) <0.0001 Physical Recovery and Symptoms Not returned to work (N,%) 76 (24.8%) 114 (33.6%) 0.03 Improved Sleep quality (N,%) 168 (61.5%) 265 (78.4%) <0.0001 Improved Fatigue (N,%) 241 (87.6%) 307 (88.7%) 0.91 Improved Cough (N,%) 194 (69.5%) 291 (84.8%) <0.0001 Improved Breathlessness (N,%) 213 (76.1%) 311 (89.6%) <0.0001 Total Number of Symptoms (Median, IQR) 1 (0 - 2) N=314 0 (0 – 1) N=364 Radiology outcomes (N,%) Normalised Significantly Improved Not significantly improved Worsened N=309 211 (68.3%) 55 (17.8%) 2 (0.7%) 30 (9.7%) N=279 187 (67.0%) 65 (23.3%) 13 (4.7%) 14 (5.0%) <0.0001 *p value likely attributable to differences in unknown ethnicityConclusionThese data suggest second wave pa ients, although frailer, presented with fewer symptoms and experienced improved hospital admission trajectory. They demonstrated improved self-reported mental health and physical recovery outcomes despite earlier follow-up, possibly attributed to improved in-hospital treatment. Supporting recovery remains a clinical priority given many patients had not returned to work.ReferenceSaito S, et al. First and second COVID-19 waves in Japan comparison of disease severity and characteristics. J Infect. 2021;82(4)84-123.