General aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic

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Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to review the available literature on the general aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infec-tion. Methods: this is a narrative literature review carried out from March to September 2020. Results: COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, grows with devas-tating effects worldwide. The literature describes epidemiological data and mortality risk groups of the disease, which presents a high rate of transmission. Prevention is the most effective way to fight the disease, persisting the absence of strong evidence on the treatment. Vaccines are not yet available. Dexamethasone is effective in reducing mortality in severe forms. Conclusions: despite great efforts, as the number of confirmed cases increases, evidence on transmission, incidence, disease progression, lethality, effects and outcomes remain limited and without any high levels of evidence. Studies are still necessary for all aspects of the disease.

Translated abstract

Resumo Objetivos: revisar a literatura disponível sobre os aspectos gerais dainfecção por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura realizada nos meses de março asetembro de 2020. Resultados: a COVID-19, causada pelo novo coronavírus ou SARS-CoV-2, cresce com efeitos devastadores em todo o mundo. A literetura descreve dados epidemiológicos e sobre grupos de riscos para mortalidade da doença, a qual apresenta uma alta velocidade de trans-missão. A prevenção é a forma mais eficaz de combate à doença, persistindo ausências de fortes evidências sobre o tratamento. Vacinas ainda não estão disponíveis A dexametasona é efetiva para redução da mortalidade nas formas graves. Conclusão: apesar dos grandes esforços, à medida que o número de casos confirmados aumenta, evidências sobre transmissão, incidência, evolução da doença, letalidade, efeitos e os desfechos permanecem limitados e sem grandes níveis de evidência. Estudos ainda são necessários sobre todos os aspectos da doença.

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Most cited references 71

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A Trial of Lopinavir–Ritonavir in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Covid-19

Bin Cao, Yeming Wang, Danning Wen … (2020)

Abstract Background No therapeutics have yet been proven effective for the treatment of severe illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial involving hospitalized adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes the respiratory illness Covid-19, and an oxygen saturation (Sao 2) of 94% or less while they were breathing ambient air or a ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen (Pao 2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio 2) of less than 300 mm Hg. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either lopinavir–ritonavir (400 mg and 100 mg, respectively) twice a day for 14 days, in addition to standard care, or standard care alone. The primary end point was the time to clinical improvement, defined as the time from randomization to either an improvement of two points on a seven-category ordinal scale or discharge from the hospital, whichever came first. Results A total of 199 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent randomization; 99 were assigned to the lopinavir–ritonavir group, and 100 to the standard-care group. Treatment with lopinavir–ritonavir was not associated with a difference from standard care in the time to clinical improvement (hazard ratio for clinical improvement, 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 1.72). Mortality at 28 days was similar in the lopinavir–ritonavir group and the standard-care group (19.2% vs. 25.0%; difference, −5.8 percentage points; 95% CI, −17.3 to 5.7). The percentages of patients with detectable viral RNA at various time points were similar. In a modified intention-to-treat analysis, lopinavir–ritonavir led to a median time to clinical improvement that was shorter by 1 day than that observed with standard care (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.91). Gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in the lopinavir–ritonavir group, but serious adverse events were more common in the standard-care group. Lopinavir–ritonavir treatment was stopped early in 13 patients (13.8%) because of adverse events. Conclusions In hospitalized adult patients with severe Covid-19, no benefit was observed with lopinavir–ritonavir treatment beyond standard care. Future trials in patients with severe illness may help to confirm or exclude the possibility of a treatment benefit. (Funded by Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development and others; Chinese Clinical Trial Register number, ChiCTR2000029308.)

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Clinical and immunologic features in severe and moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019

Guang Chen, Di Wu, Wei. Guo … (2020)

Journal of Clinical Investigation

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Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study

Tao Chen, Di Wu, Huilong Chen … (2020)

Abstract Objective To delineate the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) who died. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. Participants Among a cohort of 799 patients, 113 who died and 161 who recovered with a diagnosis of covid-19 were analysed. Data were collected until 28 February 2020. Main outcome measures Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were obtained from electronic medical records with data collection forms. Results The median age of deceased patients (68 years) was significantly older than recovered patients (51 years). Male sex was more predominant in deceased patients (83; 73%) than in recovered patients (88; 55%). Chronic hypertension and other cardiovascular comorbidities were more frequent among deceased patients (54 (48%) and 16 (14%)) than recovered patients (39 (24%) and 7 (4%)). Dyspnoea, chest tightness, and disorder of consciousness were more common in deceased patients (70 (62%), 55 (49%), and 25 (22%)) than in recovered patients (50 (31%), 48 (30%), and 1 (1%)). The median time from disease onset to death in deceased patients was 16 (interquartile range 12.0-20.0) days. Leukocytosis was present in 56 (50%) patients who died and 6 (4%) who recovered, and lymphopenia was present in 103 (91%) and 76 (47%) respectively. Concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, cardiac troponin I, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and D-dimer were markedly higher in deceased patients than in recovered patients. Common complications observed more frequently in deceased patients included acute respiratory distress syndrome (113; 100%), type I respiratory failure (18/35; 51%), sepsis (113; 100%), acute cardiac injury (72/94; 77%), heart failure (41/83; 49%), alkalosis (14/35; 40%), hyperkalaemia (42; 37%), acute kidney injury (28; 25%), and hypoxic encephalopathy (23; 20%). Patients with cardiovascular comorbidity were more likely to develop cardiac complications. Regardless of history of cardiovascular disease, acute cardiac injury and heart failure were more common in deceased patients. Conclusion Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can cause both pulmonary and systemic inflammation, leading to multi-organ dysfunction in patients at high risk. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure, sepsis, acute cardiac injury, and heart failure were the most common critical complications during exacerbation of covid-19.

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Journal ID (publisher-id): rbsmi

Title: Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil

Abbreviated Title: Rev. Bras. Saude Mater. Infant.

Publisher: Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (Recife, PR, Brazil )

ISSN (Print): 1519-3829

ISSN (Electronic): 1806-9304

Publication date (Print and electronic): February 2021

Volume: 21

Issue: suppl 1

Pages: 29-45

Affiliations

[4] Recife Pernambuco orgnameUniversidade Católica de Pernambuco Brazil

[2] Campina Grande Paraíba orgnameUniversidade Federal de Campina Grande Brazil

[5] Recife PE orgnameCentro Universitário Maurício de Nassau Brazil

[1] Recife PE orgnameInstituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira Brasil alexrolland@ 123456uol.com .br

[3] Campina Grande Paraíba orgnameUniversidade Estadual da Paraíba Brazil

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Publisher ID: S1519-38292021000100029 Publisher ID: S1519-3829(21)02100000029

DOI: 10.1590/1806-9304202100s100003

SO-VID: fc1d34ff-aac0-494d-8fa5-48b16774917b

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Date accepted : 09 December 2020

Date received : 01 October 2020

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Figures: 0, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 72, Pages: 17

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General aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic Translated title: Aspectos gerais da pandemia de COVID-19

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Novel Coronavirus Disease COVID-19

Most cited references 71

A Trial of Lopinavir–Ritonavir in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Covid-19

Clinical and immunologic features in severe and moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019

Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study

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