Mortalidad, Secuelas Clínicas y Calidad de Vida Luego del Alta de Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos en Pacientes con COVID-19: Estudio Multicéntrico Descriptivo en Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalization in an intensive care unit, in addition to being at risk of presenting premature death, have higher rates of complications. This study aimed to describe mortality, rehospitalizations, quality of life, and symptoms related to postintensive care syndrome (PICS) and prolonged COVID-19 in patients with COVID-19 discharged from the intensive care unit in hospitals in Argentina. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 centers in the Autonomous City and province of Buenos Aires as of December 2022. The variables of interest were mortality after discharge, rehospitalization, health-related quality of life, post-COVID-19-related symptoms, cognitive status, and PICS. Data collection was by telephone interview between 6 and 18 months after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients/families were contacted. Mortality was 7.3% (95% CI: 3.87-13.22) at 14.46 months of follow-up after discharge. Patients reported a reduction of the EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale of 13.8 points, reaching a mean of 78.05 (95% CI: 73.7-82.4) at the time of the interview. Notably, 54.4% of patients (95% CI: 41.5-66.6) reported cognitive impairment and 66.7% (95% CI: 53.7-77.5) developed PICS, whereas 37.5% (95% CI: 26-50.9) had no symptoms of prolonged COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The results showed a significant impact on the outcomes studied, consistent with international evidence.

COVID prolongado / Long COVID

Existen múltiples reportes de manifestaciones persistentes en pacientes que cursaron infecciones por SARS-CoV-2, independiente de su gravedad, configurando el síndrome de COVID-19 prolongado. No existe una definición consensuada de este síndrome, cuya patogenia pareciera ser multifactorial. Considerando las más de 500 millones de infecciones en todo el mundo, este síndrome pudiese incidir en una insospechada y prolongada carga sobre los sistemas sanitarios. Reportes recientes han asociado a la vacunación con esquema primario completo como una asociación protectora para el desarrollo de COVID-19 prolongado, transformándose en otro beneficio poblacional asociado a las vacunas.(AU)

There are multiple reports of persistent manifestations in patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infections, regardless of their severity, configuring the prolonged COVID-19 syndrome. There is no agreed definition of this syndrome whose pathogenesis seems to be multifactorial. Considering the more than 500 million infections worldwide, this syndrome could have an unsuspected and prolonged burden on health systems . Recent reports have associated vaccination with a complete primary schedule as a protective association with the development of prolonged COVID-19, becoming another population benefit associated with vaccines.(AU)

El enigma del coronavirus - Países mejor preparados para enfrentar la pandemia La variante ómicron y mutaciones - ¿Nuevas vacunas? La gestante, la placenta, el feto y neonato / The coronavirus conundrum Countries better prepared to face the pandemic The Omicron variant and mutations New vaccines? The pregnant woman, the placenta, the fetus and the neonate

RESUMEN Varios países occidentales han iniciado la vuelta a la vida prepandemia al disminuir el número de infectados severos y muertes a pesar de la gran infectividad de la variante ómicron B2. Esto ocurre en medio de reclamos de la población cansada de las restricciones por el COVID-19, los problemas económicos y laborales consecuentes y con un sector antivacuna con importante presencia. El SARS-CoV-2 no desaparecerá, se presentarán nuevas variantes y se deberá estar alerta a sus amenazas y diseñar nuevas vacunas. Sin embargo, el ser humano está aprendiendo las medidas para no infectarse, la importancia de la autoprotección y de la familia, y la vigilancia del virus. Se ha logrado vacunas aún imperfectas que requieren refuerzos en intervalos relativamente cortos. Pero, muchos países no están aún preparados para enfrentar la pandemia -ahora endemia-, por demasiada confianza a una eventual desaparición del virus, la falta de recursos humanos y económicos para una mejor atención en salud, corrupción. La mujer es más sensible a la infección viral y se está haciendo vacunar para evitar la infección grave y muerte. La evidencia encuentra que la gestante con COVID-19 sufre más abortos, partos pretérmino y muerte intrauterina y perinatal. La placenta es la unidad más comprometida en su defensa al feto. La placentitis resultante causa insuficiencia placentaria y lesión hipóxico-isquémica fetal. Los recién nacidos tienen protección dada por el pasaje de anticuerpos maternos, con mayor duración los originados por las vacunas. Aún queda mucho por conocer sobre el futuro de la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Pero ya es realidad un problema complejo e impactante producto de la infección la prolongación de los daños multiorgánicos ocurridos, aún con enfermedad leve, principalmente en los sistemas cardiovascular, pulmonar y cerebral, así como la alteración de la salud mental y el acortamiento de la vida.

ABSTRACT Several western countries have initiated the return to pre-pandemic life with the reduction in the number of severe infections and deaths despite of the high infectivity of the Omicron B2 variant. This is occurring amid complaints from the population tired of the restrictions due to COVID-19, the consequent economic and labor problems and with an antivaccine sector with an important presence. SARSCoV-2 will not disappear, new variants will emerge, and it will be necessary to be alert to its threats and design new vaccines. However, human beings are learning the measures to prevent infection, the importance of self-protection and of the family, and the surveillance of the virus. Imperfect vaccines have been developed that require boosters at relatively short intervals. However, many countries are not yet prepared to face the pandemic now endemic due to overconfidence in the eventual disappearance of the virus, lack of human and economic resources for better health care, and corruption. Women are more sensitive to viral infection and is getting vaccinated to avoid serious infection and death. Evidence finds that pregnant women with COVID-19 suffer more miscarriages, preterm deliveries, and intrauterine and perinatal death. The placenta is the unit most compromised in its defense of the fetus. The resulting placentitis causes placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxic-ischemic injury. Newborns are protected by the passage of maternal antibodies, with a longer duration of those originated by vaccines. Much remains to be known about the future of SARS-CoV-2 infection. But a complex and shocking problem resulting from the infection is already a reality - the prolongation of multiorgan damage, even with mild disease, mainly in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cerebral systems, as well as the alteration of mental health and shortening of life.

Comportamiento clínico y secuelas de la COVID-19 en niños / Clinical behavior and sequels of COVID-19 in children

La COVID 19 es una enfermedad que, habitualmente, no resulta grave en la edad pediátrica, excepto en niños con comorbilidades significativas subyacentes. Es muy importante reconocer los cuadros post COVID, como el síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico (SIM-C) y la COVID-19 prolongada o long COVID que pueden afectar de manera significativa a la población de niños y adolescentes. La pandemia COVID-19 también ha tenido un fuerte impacto en los aspectos sociales, emocionales y nutricionales. El aislamiento prolongado impactó en los controles de salud de niños y adolescentes con enfermedades crónicas y las coberturas de las vacunas de calendario disminuyeron significativamente. Es claro que la vacunación contra el SARSCov-2 en niños, niñas y adolescentes no sólo busca cuidar de su salud; también busca preservar la vida social y presencialidad escolar, reducir el riesgo de los cuadros post COVID-19 y mejorar la inmunidad de rebaño de la población general.

COVID-19 is a disease that is not usually serious in children, except in children with significant underlying comorbidities. Is very important to recognize post-COVID conditions such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (SIM-C) and prolonged COVID ­ 19 or long COVID, which can significantly affect the population of children and adolescents. The COVID -19 pandemic has also had a strong impact on social, emotional, and nutritional aspects. Prolonged isolation had an impact on health checkups for children and adolescents with chronic diseases, and coverage of scheduled vaccinations decreased significantly. It is clear that vaccination against SARSCov-2 in children and adolescents not only seeks to take care of their health , it also seeks to preserve social life and school presence, reduce the risk of post-COVID-19 conditions and improve herd immunity in the general population.

Aspectos básicos de la COVID-19 para el manejo desde atención primaria / Basic aspects of COVID-19 for management from primary care

El SARS-CoV-2 se transmite de persona a persona por inhalación o por el contacto con gotas y aerosoles respiratorios. El período de incubación mediano es 5,1 días. Fiebre, tos seca, disnea y fatiga, son los síntomas más comunes. Casi la mitad de los casos son asintomáticos. El espectro de la enfermedad varía desde cuadros leves (81%) a críticos (5%). La edad avanzada, el sexo masculino y las comorbilidades impactan negativamente sobre la gravedad y la mortalidad de la COVID-19. El diagnóstico de la patología aguda se realiza con pruebas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) o de detección antigénica. En pacientes hospitalizados, el remdesivir reduce el tiempo de recuperación. Los corticoides orales se recomiendan en casos graves o críticos que requieren oxigenoterapia o ventilación mecánica. La tromboprofilaxis se sugiere en todos los casos graves y no graves con riesgo trombótico alto. La antibioterapia se limita a pacientes de alta sospecha de sobreinfección bacteriana. Los casos leves-moderados y graves tras el alta hospitalaria deben monitorizarse clínicamente durante un período mínimo de dos semanas.(AU)

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or contact with respiratory droplets and aerosols. The median incubation period is 5.1 days. Fever, dry cough, dyspnea and fatigue are the most common symptoms. Almost half of the cases are asymptomatic. The spectrum of disease varies from mild (81%) to critical (5%). Older age, male gender and comorbidities negatively impact on the severity and mortality of COVID-19. The diagnosis of acute COVID-19 is made with RT-PCR or antigenic detection tests. In hospital patients, remdesivir reduces recovery time. Oral steroids are recommended for severe or critical cases requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended in all severe and non-severe cases with high thrombotic risk. Antibiotherapy is limited to cases of high suspicion of bacterial superinfection. Mild-moderate and severe cases after discharge from hospital should be clinically monitored for a minimum period of two weeks.(AU)

[Basic aspects of COVID-19 for management from primary care]. / Aspectos básicos de la COVID-19 para el manejo desde atención primaria.

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or contact with respiratory droplets and aerosols. The median incubation period is 5.1 days. Fever, dry cough, dyspnea and fatigue are the most common symptoms. Almost half of the cases are asymptomatic. The spectrum of disease varies from mild (81%) to critical (5%). Older age, male gender and comorbidities negatively impact on the severity and mortality of COVID-19. The diagnosis of acute COVID-19 is made with RT-PCR or antigenic detection tests. In hospital patients, remdesivir reduces recovery time. Oral steroids are recommended for severe or critical cases requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended in all severe and non-severe cases with high thrombotic risk. Antibiotherapy is limited to cases of high suspicion of bacterial superinfection. Mild-moderate and severe cases after discharge from hospital should be clinically monitored for a minimum period of two weeks.