Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were three times more likely to die than those with seasonal influenza.

According to a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital Del Mar in Barcelona, ​​adults admitted with COVID-19 (aged 18+) have more complications and deaths than adults with influenza, despite being younger and less chronically ill. The risk is high.

Findings presented at this year’s European Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference (ECCMID) (April 23-26) in Lisbon, Portugal show that COVID-19 provides both extended hospital stay and intensive care. It is related and also suggests that it will be almost costly. Twice to treat.

For research, researchers investigated Medical records Of 187 patients (mean age 76 years, 55% male) hospitalized seasonally influenza 187 COVID-19 patients (mean age 67 years, 49% male) who were infected between 2017 and 2019 and were hospitalized during the first wave of the pandemic from March to May 2020 were on admission. All required oxygen therapy. Patients were enrolled in succession in both cohorts until the required sample size was reached. This study compared clinical features and outcomes of using healthcare resources (including length of stay and hospitalization). Intensive care), Hospital costs, and death.

Influenza patients tended to have more presence Chronic disease They have more problems with activities of daily living than COVID-19 patients, but are less likely to be overweight or obese (BMI> 25 kg / m²).

Analysis revealed that COVID-19 was associated with an association between the severity of infection and the high risk of hospitalization in the ICU (26). [14%] Flu vs 69 [39%] For COVID-19; see the table of notes to editors).In addition, COVID-19 patients were more likely to experience certain complications such as: Acute kidney injury, Blood clotAnd moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (lungs in the body) Organs necessary for life support With sufficient oxygen); On the other hand, influenza patients were more likely to suffer from bacterial pneumonia (see the editor / summary note table).

Overall, 29/187 (15%) COVID-19 patients and 10/187 (5%) influenza patients died for some reason within 30 days of admission, with even higher mortality rates after 90 days (90 days). 19%; 35/187 vs. 6%; 12/187). The authors state that there was no difference in mortality trends among the three seasonal influenza periods surveyed.

After considering potential confusion such as age, comorbidities, gender, severity of the disease, presence of pneumonia, corticosteroid treatment, researchers found that COVID-19 patients died within 30 and 90 days after admission. Influenza patients who have found that they are more than three times more likely to do it.

Further analysis showed that COVID-19 patients spent much longer in the hospital (mean). [median] 14 days vs. 11 days compared to influenza patients) and ICU (17 days vs. 10 days). In addition, the average cost of critical care for COVID-19 patients was almost double that of influenza patients (€ 21,350 vs. € 12,082). Pharmacy treatment and testing costs were also significantly higher in the COVID-19 group.

“Our findings suggest that COVID-19 is far more deadly than influenza,” said Dr. Inmaculada Lopez Montesinos, lead author of Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, ​​Spain. .. “Despite the fact that influenza patients are older and have more comorbidities, COVID-19 patients have consistently deteriorated health and have been significantly more expensive to treat. Fortunately, they can survive and be discharged from COVID-19. For people, they will be hurt forever by the consequences. It is important that people are fully vaccinated and boosted against both viruses. “

The authors acknowledge that there are some limitations of the study, including that performed at one tertiary care hospital in Spain, so the findings may not be generalized to other populations. They also did not perform genotyping studies and it is likely that COVID-19 patients were affected by wild-type B.1, but the results are now circulating with multiple SARS-CoV-2 mutants. Globally also mentions that it may not reflect the scenario of.Similarly, the absence of vaccinated COVID-19 Patience During the study period, it may not reflect the current profile of inpatients with COVID-19.

Provided by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases