Study of Clinical Spectrum of Severe COVID-19 Infection in Elderly Patients and its Outcome-A Major Mumbai Tertiary Care Hospital Observations.

BACKGROUND: At 140 million, India has the second largest population of old people in the world, as per the 2011 census.1 The covid 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in millions of lives. Elderly are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and experience high morbidity and mortality as a result of immunosenescence. Age is independently linked with mortality, but age alone does not adequately capture the robustness of older adults who are a heterogeneous group. The current research was done in a tertiary healthcare hospital in Maharashtra to understand the clinical profile and factors that affected the outcome of elderly during the second wave of the COVID pandemic. METHOD: This was a single centre retrospective observational study done in a tertiary hospital which was admitting both covid and non-covid patients during the time of this study. All elderly patients admitted with COVID 19 disease in Covid ward and covid ICU (Intensive care unit) were included in the study. Their Demographic details, duration of illness, vital parameters, oxygen saturation, partial pressure of arterial oxygen compared to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2-FiO2 ratio) were recorded and also relevant investigations such as complete blood count, kidney function tests, liver function tests, arterial blood gases, chest X-rayand ECG (Electrocardiogram),CT scan of the brain, CSF(cerebrospinal fluid) studies and other tests where relevant were recorded. Inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Ferritin, D-Dimer and Chest CT scan were noted. Clinical profiles and outcomes were noted till discharge or death. RESULTS: Among 231 patients that were included in this study, 81(35%) were female and 150 (65%) were male. Ninety-two patients died (39.8%) while 139 patients (60.2%) survived in our study. Majority of our patients (211;91.3%) presented in category E(pneumonia with respiratory failure) or category F(pneumonia with respiratory failure and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome). Factors which had a major impact on mortality were- a low PaO2-FiO2 ratio on admission, high C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels, high d-dimer levels, a finding of bilateral ground glass opacities on x-ray, and need for invasive ventilation on admission. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly remain vulnerable to severe consequences of COVID-19 infection owing to the increasing comorbidities and immunosenescence in them. Prolonged oxygen therapy and intensive respiratory rehabilitation are the mainstays of effective management. Given the constant threat of mutating virus, masking, maintaining hand sanitization, vaccination and also caring for our elders while still maintaining social distance are our best bet against a fatal third wave.

Factors Affecting Maternal Outcome in Urban Setting (FAMOUS)-ICU Experience.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women in India are at higher risk of dying as compared to middle to high income countries. Deaths can be prevented if risk factors are identified, critical illness is diagnosed early and timely care is provided. The present research was undertaken to study the clinical profile and factors affecting the outcome of pregnant and postpartum patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). METHOD: A total of 75 consecutive patients of age >18 years with confirmed pregnancy or postpartum females within 42 days from date of delivery requiring admission in ICU for at least one organ dysfunction as per APACHE II criteria1 were enrolled in the study. Clinical profiles of patients and outcomes were measured till hospital discharge. RESULTS: Among 75 patients, 18(24%) patients were postpartum while 57(76%) were antepartum.The commonest symptom was fever (64%), followed by breathlessness (62.7%). Respiratory distress (58.7%) was the commonest indication for transfer to MICU. While 60(80%) patients were admitted for medical illnesses in pregnancy, 15(20%) patients were admitted for obstetric complications. Acute infections including malaria, dengue and leptospirosis were the commonest illness diagnosed in 19(25.3%) patients. Severity of illness measured using APACHE II score varied from 4 to 35 points with a mean score of 10.61.Longer duration of symptoms before seeking medical attention, lower pH, lower paO2/FiO2 ratio and serum bicarbonate, a diagnosis of tuberculosis and a higher APACHE II score were associated with a higher mortality. CONCLUSION: With institution of intensive therapy in critically ill maternal patients, 80% of patients could be saved and 61% of fetuses had uneventful outcomes.The prognosis was better for obstetric illnesses than for medical illnesses with only 3 patients dying of obstetric causes whereas 12 patients died of medical illnesses common to the general population. Even though APACHE II score was higher in the group with obstetric conditions (mean=11 vs. 8.1), the mortality was lower.