Background We verify the prevalence of low zinc levels among critically ill patients infected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) who required invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as its association with severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods This is an observational study composed of patients admitted to the ICU. Demographics, anthropometric data for calculating body mass index (BMI), and laboratory data were obtained at admission: blood count, ferritin, arterial blood gas, serum zinc levels, and C‐reactive protein. Also, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) divided by fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) was calculated by the first arterial blood gas after intubation. A diagnosis of severe ARDS was determined if the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was ≤100 mm Hg. Low zinc levels were established if zinc levels were <70 μg/dL. Results A total of 269 patients met inclusion criteria; 51.3% were men; median age was 74 (66–81) years; 91.1% (245 of 269) were elderly. The median BMI was 30.1 (24.7–32.1) kg/m2, with 59.9% (161 of 269) of patients having overweight and obesity. The prevalence of low zinc levels was 79.6% (214 of 269) and severe ARDS was 56.5% (152 of 269). There was an association of low zinc levels and severe ARDS (odds ratio [OR], 14.4; 95% CI, 6.2–33.5; P < .001), even after adjusting for baseline variables (OR, 15.4; 95% CI, 6.5–36.3; P < .001). Conclusion Critically ill patients infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 with severe ARDS have a high prevalence of low serum zinc levels.

Background & aim Verify the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and obesity in elderly patients infected by new coronavirus. The patients developed severe symptoms and were admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) to receive invasive ventilation due to diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study composed of elderly (age ≥ 60 years) admitted to the ICU. Were collected demographic (sex, age), anthropometric data, presence of comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung, neurological and oncological diseases), severity score in ICU (SAPS III), PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum dosage of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) in the first day of hospitalization to identify elderly with hypovitaminosis D (low values < 30 ng/mL). The diagnosis of obesity in elderly was determined by calculating the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m 2 . Results A total of 176 elderly met the inclusion criteria. 54% were elderly men and mean age of 72.9 ± 9.1 years. The median BMI was 30.5 (28.1–33) kg/m 2 with 68.7% having a nutritional diagnosis of obesity and 15.3% had BMI ≥ 35 kg/m 2 . The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (72.2%) and diabetes (40.9%). Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D with values of 25 OHD <30 ng/mL, < 20 ng/mL and <10 ng/mL was 93.8%, 65.9% and 21% respectively. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/mL) in obese elderly was 94.2%. There was a negative and significant bivariate correlation between BMI and levels of 25 OHD (r = - 0.15; p = 0.04). Conclusion Hypovitaminosis D and obesity in elderly have a high prevalence in critically ill patients in ICU infected by the new coronavirus. Laboratory investigation of vitamin D becomes important, especially in obese elderly patients.

Background The present study aims to verify the association between diabetes and thiamine deficiency in critically ill patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Methods This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study, whose demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data (arterial lactate, bicarbonate, and plasma thiamine) were obtained in the first hours of admission to the intensive care unit. Patients with diabetes were compared with individuals without diabetes, and the correlation was performed between thiamine and lactate levels. Thiamine levels <28 μg/L were considered as thiamine deficiency. Results Overall, 270 patients met the inclusion criteria; 51.1% were men, and the median age was 74 years (66.8‐81). The median value of thiamine was 54.0 μg/L (38‐72.3), and 15.6% had thiamine deficiency. Among patients with diabetes, 26.3% had thiamine deficiency, and 69.3% had hyperlactatemia. There was an association between thiamine deficiency and diabetes (odds ratio 4.28; 95% CI, 2.08‐8.81; P < .001). There was a strong negative correlation between thiamine and arterial lactate in patients with diabetes (r = −0.711, P < .001) and a moderate negative correlation in critically ill patients without diabetes (r = −0.489, P < .001). Conclusions The prevalence of thiamine deficiency in critically ill patients due to coronavirus disease 2019 is higher in patients with diabetes. There is a negative correlation between thiamine and arterial lactate levels, which is higher in people with diabetes.

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