ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study assesses COVID-19 hospitalised patient demography and outcomes during wave 1 and wave 2, prior to new variants of the virus. METHODS: All patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab between 10th March 2020 and 5th July 2020 (wave 1) and 1st September 2020 and 16th November 2020 (wave 2) admitted to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust were included (n=4856), followed for 28 days. RESULTS: Wave 2 patients were younger, more ethnically diverse, had less co-morbidities and disease presentation was milder on presentation. After matching for these factors, mortality was reduced, but without differences in intensive care admissions. CONCLUSION: Prior to new SARS-CoV-2 variants, outcomes for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 were improving but with similar intensive care needs.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Critical Care , Hospitalization , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A systematic review was conducted to assess if frailty and sarcopenia were associated with poorer outcomes in older adults admitted to an acute medical unit (AMU). METHODS: Eligible studies included older adults with an unplanned admission to an AMU and included a measure of frailty or sarcopenia, completed within 72 hours of admission. Risk of bias was assessed. RESULTS: Of 1659 identified articles, 16 were included (4 on sarcopenia and 12 on frailty). There was significant study heterogeneity. Overall, frailty and sarcopenia were associated with worse outcomes. Targeted interventions appeared to improve outcomes. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests some benefit in screening older adults admitted to an AMU for frailty and sarcopenia. However, further studies are required before clinical adoption.
