COVID-19 Mortality and Therapeutics in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa during Early Pandemic

• Main Authors: Christopher J. Destache (Author), Faran Ahmad (Author), Sanu Rajendrapasad (Author), Austin Loranger (Author), William Pruett (Author), Nikhal Jagan (Author), Bryan Krajicek (Author), David Schmidt (Author), David Quimby (Author), Manasa Velagapudi (Author), Dayla Boldt (Author), Sarah Hayes (Author), Jennifer Anthone (Author), Brittney Kessel (Author), Renuga Vivekanandan (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Different pharmacotherapeutics have been introduced, and then stopped or continued, for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the risks associated with mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. <b>METHODS:</b> Data was concurrently or retrospectively captured on COVID-19 hospitalized patients from 6 regional hospitals within the health system. Demographic details, the source of SARS-CoV-2 infection, concomitant disease status, as well as the therapeutic agents used for treating SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., antimicrobials, dexamethasone, convalescent plasma, tocilizumab, and remdesivir) were recorded. Discrete and continuous variables were analyzed using SPSS (ver. 27). Logistic regression identified variables significantly correlated with mortality. <b>RESULTS:</b> 471 patients (admitted from 1 March 2020 through 15 July 2020) were reviewed. Mean (±SD) age and body weight (kg) were 62.5 ± 17.7 years and 86.3 ± 27.1 kg, respectively. Patients were Caucasian (50%), Hispanic (34%), African-American (10%), or Asian (5%). Females accounted for 52% of patients. Therapeutic modalities used for COVID-19 illness included remdesivir (16%), dexamethasone (35%), convalescent plasma (17.8%), and tocilizumab (5.8%). The majority of patients returned home (62%) or were transferred to a skilled nursing facility (23%). The overall mortality from SARS-CoV-2 was 14%. Logistic regression identified variables significantly correlated with mortality. Intubation, receipt of dexamethasone, African-American or Asian ethnicity, and being a patient from a nursing home were significantly associated with mortality (x² = 86.36 (13) <i>p</i> < 0.0005). <b>CONCLUSIONS:</b> SARS-CoV-2 infected hospitalized patients had significant mortality risk if they were intubated, received dexamethasone, were of African-American or Asian ethnicity, or occupied a nursing home bed prior to hospital admission.

Item Description

10.3390/pharmacy10040069
2226-4787