Clinical-Epidemiology Aspect of Inpatients With Moderate or Severe COVID-19 in a Brazilian Macroregion: Disease and Countermeasures

Abstract

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is an infectious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus. Since its emergence, its epidemiology has been explored; however, for some regions of the world, COVID-19’s behavior, incidence, and impact remain unclear. In continental nations like Brazil, this lack of knowledge results in nonuniform control, prevention, and treatment measures, which can be controversial in some locations. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of patients with COVID-19 in the macroregion of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Between March 25 and October 21, 2020, data were collected and statistically analyzed from 395 hospitalized patients in the city of Uberaba, MG, suspected to have moderate or severe forms of the disease. Of the 395 suspected cases, 82% were confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. The mean age of positive patients was 58.4 years, and 60.76% were male. Following these patients throughout their hospitalization, a mortality rate of 31.3% was observed. In the population positive for COVID-19, the risk of death increased by 4% for each year of the patient’s age. Likewise, the older the patient, the longer their hospitalization and the higher the risk of developing acute respiratory failure. Among the treatments tested in patients, heparin was associated with protection against mortality, and the absence of anticoagulant use was linked to a more than six times greater risk of death. Finally, comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 were positively correlated with increased hospitalization time. In summary, this study revealed that age, presence of comorbidities, length of hospitalization, and drug treatment considerably altered COVID-19’s lethality. To understand infection rates and the factors involved in COVID-19’s lethality, knowledge of the local epidemiology is necessary.

Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 and Antibody Responses in Bangladeshi Patients Infected with the Delta or Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2

“…Prospective observational study in the United Kingdom reported lower prevalence in the loss of smell, less involvement of the lower respiratory tract, and a shorter period of illness in Omicron variants compared with Delta variant infections [8]. The clinical manifestations and epidemiological aspects of COVID-19 have been extensively reported in various regions around the world [9]. The SARS CoV-2 Omicron variants in Bangladesh have not been evaluated with respect to the COVID-19 outcomes.…”

The Factors associated with death in hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome by Covid-19: a retrospective longitudinal study in a city in southeastern Brazil

“…However, disease's outcomes are influenced not only by viruses' strains, but also by health individualities and social context, and Silva et al, (2022) did not find that sex and chronic diseases were significant death predictors in their study in Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Conversely, the study found a 40% increase in the odd of death for every 10 years of life, and the high mortality among the elderly could have hindered the mortality related to sex and chronic diseases (Silva et al, 2022). Therefore, local studies focusing on specific populations are important for better health management and public policies designing.…”

“…The clinical form of COVID-19 presents itself in an extensive range of symptoms (Sofi et al, 2020;WHO, 2022), being the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome an acute form with devastating effects worldwide. Brazil was largely affected by the disease, with high trends of lethality and a considerable burden on its hospital systems (Silva et al, 2022;Zeiser et al, 2022). This study evaluated the epidemiological aspects and factors associated to death in hospitalized patients in the municipality of Contagem, the third most populous in the State of Minas Gerais.…”