Background: The initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic posed a real need for clinicians to identify patients at risk of poor prognosis as soon as possible after hospital admission. Aim: The study aimed to assess the role of baseline anamnestic information, clinical parameters, instrumental examination, and serum biomarkers in predicting adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in a hospital setting of Internal Medicine. Methods: Fifty-two inpatients consecutively admitted to the Unit of Internal Medicine "Baccelli," Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria Policlinico of Bari (February 1 - May 31, 2021) due to confirmed COVID-19 were grouped into two categories based on the specific outcome: good prognosis (n=44), patients discharged at home after the acute phase of the infection; poor prognosis, a composite outcome of deaths and intensive care requirements (n=8). Data were extracted from medical records of patients who provided written informed consent to participate. Results: The two study groups had similar demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and radiological characteristics. Higher interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and leucocyte count, and lower free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were found in patients with poor than those with good prognosis. Higher IL-6 levels and leucocyte count, lower fT3 concentration, and pre-existing hypercholesterolemia were independent risk factors of poor outcomes in our study population. A predicting risk score, built by assigning one point if fT3 < 2 pg/mL, IL-6 >25 pg/mL, and leucocyte count >7,000 n/mm3, revealed that patients totalizing at least 2 points by applying the predicting score had a considerably higher risk of poor prognosis than those with scoring <2 points [OR 24.35 (1.32; 448), p = 0.03]. The weight of pre-existing hypercholesterolemia did not change the risk estimation. Conclusion: Four specific baseline variables, one anamnestic (pre-existing hypercholesterolemia) and three laboratory parameters (leucocyte count, IL-6, and fT3), were significantly associated with poor prognosis as independent risk factors. To prevent adverse outcomes, the updated 4-point score could be useful in identifying at-risk patients, highlighting the need for specific trials to estimate the safety and efficacy of targeted treatments.

Predicting Factors of Worse Prognosis in COVID-19: Results from a Cross-sectional Study on 52 Inpatients Admitted to the Internal Medicine Department / Lisco, Giuseppe; Solimando, Antonio Giovanni; Stragapede, Assunta; De Tullio, Anna; Laraspata, Cristiana; Laudadio, Carola; Giagulli, Vito Angelo; Prete, Marcella; Jirillo, Emilio; Saracino, Annalisa; Racanelli, Vito; Triggiani, Vincenzo. - In: ENDOCRINE, METABOLIC & IMMUNE DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS. - ISSN 1871-5303. - 24:10(2024), pp. 1224-1236. [10.2174/0118715303288042240111070057]

Predicting Factors of Worse Prognosis in COVID-19: Results from a Cross-sectional Study on 52 Inpatients Admitted to the Internal Medicine Department

Racanelli, Vito;
2024-01-01

Abstract

Background: The initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic posed a real need for clinicians to identify patients at risk of poor prognosis as soon as possible after hospital admission. Aim: The study aimed to assess the role of baseline anamnestic information, clinical parameters, instrumental examination, and serum biomarkers in predicting adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in a hospital setting of Internal Medicine. Methods: Fifty-two inpatients consecutively admitted to the Unit of Internal Medicine "Baccelli," Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria Policlinico of Bari (February 1 - May 31, 2021) due to confirmed COVID-19 were grouped into two categories based on the specific outcome: good prognosis (n=44), patients discharged at home after the acute phase of the infection; poor prognosis, a composite outcome of deaths and intensive care requirements (n=8). Data were extracted from medical records of patients who provided written informed consent to participate. Results: The two study groups had similar demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and radiological characteristics. Higher interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and leucocyte count, and lower free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were found in patients with poor than those with good prognosis. Higher IL-6 levels and leucocyte count, lower fT3 concentration, and pre-existing hypercholesterolemia were independent risk factors of poor outcomes in our study population. A predicting risk score, built by assigning one point if fT3 < 2 pg/mL, IL-6 >25 pg/mL, and leucocyte count >7,000 n/mm3, revealed that patients totalizing at least 2 points by applying the predicting score had a considerably higher risk of poor prognosis than those with scoring <2 points [OR 24.35 (1.32; 448), p = 0.03]. The weight of pre-existing hypercholesterolemia did not change the risk estimation. Conclusion: Four specific baseline variables, one anamnestic (pre-existing hypercholesterolemia) and three laboratory parameters (leucocyte count, IL-6, and fT3), were significantly associated with poor prognosis as independent risk factors. To prevent adverse outcomes, the updated 4-point score could be useful in identifying at-risk patients, highlighting the need for specific trials to estimate the safety and efficacy of targeted treatments.
2024
10
Lisco, Giuseppe; Solimando, Antonio Giovanni; Stragapede, Assunta; De Tullio, Anna; Laraspata, Cristiana; Laudadio, Carola; Giagulli, Vito Angelo; Pre...espandi
Predicting Factors of Worse Prognosis in COVID-19: Results from a Cross-sectional Study on 52 Inpatients Admitted to the Internal Medicine Department / Lisco, Giuseppe; Solimando, Antonio Giovanni; Stragapede, Assunta; De Tullio, Anna; Laraspata, Cristiana; Laudadio, Carola; Giagulli, Vito Angelo; Prete, Marcella; Jirillo, Emilio; Saracino, Annalisa; Racanelli, Vito; Triggiani, Vincenzo. - In: ENDOCRINE, METABOLIC & IMMUNE DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS. - ISSN 1871-5303. - 24:10(2024), pp. 1224-1236. [10.2174/0118715303288042240111070057]
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