Home | Volume 41 | Article number 330

Research

Factors associated with death in COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Factors associated with death in COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Ben Bepouka1,&, Madone Mandina1, Murielle Longokolo1, Nadine Mayasi1, Ossam Odio1, Donat Mangala1, Yves Mafuta1, Jean Robert Makulo2, Marcel Mbula1, Jean Marie Kayembe3, Hippolyte Situakibanza1

 

1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Kinshasa University Hospital, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2Nephrology unit, Kinshasa University Hospital, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 3Pneumology Unit, Kinshasa University Hospital, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

 

&Corresponding author
Ben Bepouka, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Kinshasa University Hospital, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

 

Abstract

Introduction: the objectives of the present study were to determine the mortality rate in patients over 60 years of age with COVID-19 and to identify risk factors.

 

Methods: the present historical cohort study took place at the Kinshasa University Hospital (KUH), DRC. Older patients admitted from March 2020 to May 2021 and diagnosed COVID-19 positive at the laboratory were selected. The relationship between clinical and biological risk factors, treatment, and in-hospital mortality was modeled using Cox regression.

 

Results: of two hundred and twenty-two patients at least 60 years old, 97 died, for a mortality rate of 43.69%. The median age was 70 years (64-74) with extremes of 60 to 88 years. Low oxygen saturation of < 90% (aHR 1.69; 95% CI [1.03-2.77]; p=0.038) was an independent predictor of mortality. The risk of death was reduced with corticosteroid use (aHR 0.54; 95% CI [0.40-0.75]; p=0.01) and anticoagulant treatment (aHR 0.53; 95% CI [0.38-0.73]; p=0.01).

 

Conclusion: mortality was high in seniors during COVID-19 and low oxygen saturation on admission was a risk factor for mortality. Corticosteroid therapy and anticoagulation were protective factors. These should be considered in management to reduce mortality.

 

 

Introduction    Down

Several health facilities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, reported patients with pneumonia of unknown origin by the end of December 2019 [1]. The majority of the illnesses among the initial 27 hospitalized patients were related to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a wet market in downtown Wuhan that sells not just seafood but also live animals, including poultry and wildlife [2,3]. Following that, the disease quickly spread from Wuhan to other regions of China and the rest of the world. Coronavirus type 2 disease with severe acute respiratory syndrome became a new disease (SARS). Finally, SARS-CoV-2 will be the disease's name (i.e. Coronavirus Disease -19, COVID-19, 19 to recall the year 2019). The COVID-19 pandemic has been proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 [4]. COVID-19 has reached 42,385,317 people globally as of July 22, 2021, when this article was written, with 650,684 deaths. In Africa, 4,634,617 infections have resulted in 109,711 fatalities, a mortality rate of 0.23 percent [5].

According to data from China, old age and underlying sickness are two major risk factors for COVID-19-related disease and death [6-8]. Although the majority of reported COVID-19 cases were mild. The mortality rate was just 2.3 percent, and more than 80 percent of deaths occurred in those over 60, with the mortality rate rising rapidly from 3.6 percent in those aged 60-69 to 14.8 percent in those aged 80 [9,10]. In other parts of the world, such as the United States of America (USA) and Europe, COVID-19 has caused a disproportionate hazard to the elderly [11,12]. Several studies in Africa have also found that age is a predictor of mortality [13-17]. Advanced age has been demonstrated to be a negative prognostic factor in DRC investigations [18-20]. Not all elderly individuals with COVID-19, however, die. As a result, identifying death risk factors is critical. Hence, the importance of identifying risk factors for death. The objectives of the present study were to determine the mortality rate of patients over 60 years of age and to identify risk factors for severity and mortality in these patients.

 

 

Methods Up    Down

The current study was a retrospective cohort. It spanned the months of March 2020 and May 2021. Kinshasa University Hospital, a big regional hospital in Kinshasa, DRC, was the site of this research. This study enrolled all patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 with outcome (death or discharge). The World Health Organization (WHO) interim guideline was used to diagnose COVID-19 patients [21]. Patients who were consulted during the study period and were admitted as confirmed cases of COVID-19 were included in this study. Patients who have been transferred or who have escaped have not been listed.

Data collection: every hospitalized patient who meets the inclusion criteria is offered the chance to participate in the survey on a regular basis. The sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical, and co-morbidities of the patients were acquired from their medical records. The data was evaluated by a team of doctors who were well-versed in the subject.

Confirmation of diagnosis: confirmed cases were defined by the positive findings in reverse-transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of throat swab specimens [22]. Pharyngeal swab specimens were collected from each patient for viral nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR assay as previously described [23].

Statistical analysis: continuous variables were assumed to be normal using histograms. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, normally distributed continuous variables as mean with standard deviation (SD), while non-normal continuous variables were presented as median with interquartile range (IQR). Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine differences in characteristics between surviving and deceased presenting patients. To determine risk factors for death, we used unadjusted odds ratios (OR). Risk factors that emerged in univariate were imputed in Cox regression models to determine those that were predictors of death. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The value of p < 0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 14 (StataCorp, USA).

Ethical considerations: the study was approved by the University of Kinshasa School of Public Health's Ethics Committee (ESP/CE/179/2020). The principle of anonymity and confidentiality was maintained in the study. No conflict of interests was declared in the conduct of this study.

 

 

Results Up    Down

During the study period, 466 patients were hospitalized for COVID-19. These included 222 patients aged 60 years or older and 244 patients under 60 years of age. Of the 222 patients aged 60 years or older hospitalized, 97 died, for a mortality rate of 43.69% (Figure 1). The median age was 70 years (64-74) with extremes of 60 and 88 years. The age group of 60-74 years was predominant (77%). The proportion of men was in the majority (72%). Comorbidities were present in 6.42% of cases. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity and tuberculosis. According to the WHO clinical staging, 63% of the patients were severe (Table 1).

Compared with those who survived, we observed that the deceased patients had higher respiratory rates (p = 0.023), higher mean temperatures and lower saturation (<0.0001) and most were in the severe stage. On the basis of laboratory tests, the decedents had elevated white blood cell count, hypernatremia tendency (0.034), hyperglycemia (0.0013), and elevated AST (0.0067) (Table 2). Therapeutically, the proportion of survivors in those with conventional therapy was higher than in those without conventional therapy. Those who had corticosteroids died less than those who did not (Table 3).

After adjustment for other univariate emerging demographic, clinical, and therapeutic factors, low oxygen saturation of <90% (aHR 1.69; 95% CI [1.03-2.77]; p=0.038) was considered an independent factor associated with mortality in elderly COVID-19 patients. The risk of death was reduced with corticosteroid use (aHR 0.54; 95% CI [0.40-075]; p=0.01) and anticoagulant therapy (aHR 0.53; 95% CI [0.38-0.73]; p=0.01) (Table 4).

 

 

Discussion Up    Down

The present study was conducted to determine the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients at least 60 years old and to identify risk factors for severity and mortality. It was found that the mortality rate in this age group was 43.69%. This result is slightly higher than the preliminary data estimated in LTCFs in Italy, where mortality was reported to be as high as 37.4% and, again in the same country, a mortality rate of 32% was also reported. The mortality rate in the present work is much lower than that observed in other countries (49-64%) [23-26]. The median age was 70 years (64-74) with extremes of 60 and 88 years. The age range of 60-74 years was predominant (77%). The proportion of men was the majority (72%). The literature agrees that the main risk factors for severe COVID-19 are advanced age, male gender, obesity, smoking, and comorbid chronic diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and others. Of all these factors listed, age is the most important risk factor for severe COVID-19. The influence of age on the severity of COVID-19 has several hypotheses, including one related to immune factors. This hypothesis encompasses age-related impairment of the immune response and protection against SARS-CoV-2 and immunopathology. The immune response includes humoral immunity (i.e., antibody response) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI). While age-related immunosenescence is thought to weaken immune protection, vaccination strengthens it. Inflammation and the cytokine storm can lead to immunopathology. Not all immune responses are protective, as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in humoral immunity may promote SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas the Th17 response in MCI may contribute to the cytokine storm. Age-related decreases in physiologic reserve in the respiratory and other organ systems may also contribute to vulnerability. Together, they lead to disproportionate severity of COVID-19 and high mortality in the elderly [27].

Although this vulnerability exists, studies to define factors that impact antibody quality and titer, including neutralization of SARS-CoV-2, reveal that advanced age, male gender, and hospitalization for severe COVID-19 all contribute to a greater antiviral antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 [28]. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and tuberculosis. Aging and comorbidities are characterized by a higher basal pro-inflammatory state (inflammaging) related to a progressive inability of the immune system to initiate appropriate responses (immunosenescence) [29]. Age-related gut dysbiosis has also been reported to cause an unbalanced immune response and hyperactive inflammatory phenotype in SARS-CoV-2 infection [30]. In addition, other factors, such as increased endothelial damage and age-related changes in coagulation function, higher density, increased affinity, and different distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 receptors, lower levels of vitamin D [31], and mitochondrial dysfunction have also been proposed as conditions that would increase the severity of the disease in older adults [32]. Despite these limitations, the use of appropriate statistical tools identified comorbidity as an independent factor associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality in patients in the COVID-19 study. However, the present study did not find comorbidities as an independent factor associated with death in the older population [33]. A trend toward hypernatremia (p = 0.034), hyperglycemia (p = 0.0013), and elevated AST (p = 0.0067). Hypernatremia would influence severe COVID-19. Also, identification of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the urine of an infected patient shows that the virus can enter the tubular fluid where it can bind to its ACE-2 receptors in the proximal tubule. After binding, SARS-CoV-2 initially enters the cells with a membrane receptor that is functionally removed from the outer site of the membrane. After endocytosis of the viral complex, surface ACE 2 is further downregulated, resulting in unopposed angiotensin II accumulation. Angiotensin II can further decrease ACE 2 expression. Angiotensin II facilitates sodium reabsorption by stimulating sodium-hydrogen exchange in the renal proximal convoluted tubule. Increased renal sodium reabsorption is accompanied by increased renal chloride reabsorption and increased potassium excretion, which can lead to hyperchloremia and hypokalemia. These phenomena actually occur much more frequently in patients with hypernatremia than in those without, supporting the possibility of increased angiotensin II activity [34].

Studies indicate mechanisms that are accentuated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to increased levels of inflammatory mediators in the blood, including lipopolysaccharide, inflammatory cytokines, and toxic metabolites. Modulation of natural killer cell activity and IFN? production may increase interstitial and/or vascular permeability to proinflammatory products. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection results in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These effects lead to pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ROS production and viral activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) (via increased angiotensin II expression) result in insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and vascular endothelial damage, all of which contribute to cardiovascular events, thromboembolisms, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Infection also causes an increase in the coagulation components fibrinogen and D-dimer, resulting in increased blood viscosity and vascular endothelial damage and associated cardiovascular events, thromboembolism, and DIC [35]. The proportion of survivors in those with conventional therapy was greater than in those without conventional therapy. Recently, hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQS) has received significant media and political attention for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19, despite the lack of convincing and unequivocal data on its efficacy and safety in these patients. This has unfortunately, but predictably, led to several controversies and confusions within the medical fraternity, the patient community, and the general public. Based on the available studies, many of which have a high risk of bias, relatively small sample sizes, and abbreviated follow-ups, it is unlikely that HCQS has a significant benefit for COVID-19 patients, but it does have the potential to cause harm, particularly when used in combination with azithromycin for some [36] and this combination would be effective against COVID-19 for others [37].

After adjustment, patients were admitted with low oxygen saturation of < 90% (aHR 1.69; 95% CI [1.03-2.77]; p=0.038). Oxygen saturation was considered a related clinical measure and was also easy to obtain. When it is below 90% on admission, despite oxygen supplementation, it is a stronger risk factor for fatal outcome. Indeed, this measure is a more powerful predictor than multiple measures we have obtained, including the more standard demographic and inflammatory measures reported in previous studies [38,39]. In contrast, other studies have found hypoxemia to be an independent factor in mortality in patients of all ages in a study in Nigeria [40]. The pathophysiology of hypoxemia-related death in COVID-19 patients involved an exacerbation of inflammatory cytokines and immune response with an exacerbation of the cytokine storm, leading to lung damage and persistent hypoxemia, and ultimately to poor outcomes [41]. In low- and middle-income countries, a portable pulse oximeter, which is inexpensive and affordable, can help with early screening to identify patients with hypoxemia, allowing early intervention. Corticosteroid therapy was a protective factor for mortality (aHR 0.54; 95 CI [0.40-0.75]; p = 0.01). The RECOVERY trial showed that patients receiving dexamethasone 6 mg had lower mortality than controls [42], whereas the METACOVID trial found no benefit in 28-day mortality and several secondary outcomes of treatment with methylprednisolone 0.5 mg/kg twice daily [43]. A possible explanation for these divergent results is that the dose of corticosteroids in the latter trial was significantly higher than in the former.

It is possible to speculate that the higher doses of corticosteroids may be harmful, which may offset the benefits observed in the RECOVERY trial. In patients with mild SARS-CoV-1, a randomized controlled trial failed to show a beneficial effect of hydrocortisone administration. Of note, higher viremia was observed in the second and third weeks after infection in the hydrocortisone group than in the control group. Similarly, corticosteroids have been reported to be associated with delayed shedding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, particularly when high doses are administered. Preliminary data from cohort studies has shown a high incidence of bacterial superinfections and pulmonary aspergillosis in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients; both of these complications may be associated with corticosteroid use [44]. Anticoagulation therapy was a protective factor for mortality (aHR 0.53; 95 CI [0.38-0.73]; p=0.01). Anticoagulation has been suggested as a mitigating option in patients with COVID-19 due to the higher risk of macrovascular and microvascular thrombosis. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect of heparins may be beneficial in this highly inflammatory condition. Furthermore, it is proposed that anticoagulation may block or slow the progression of DIC. While anticoagulation is controversial in classical sepsis, COVID-19 sepsis is a distinct entity as reflected by the difference in coagulation parameters. Therefore, anticoagulation seems to have an important role in the treatment of COVID-19. A recent Chinese study by Tang et al. [45] described 449 patients with severe COVID-19 infection and reported reduced mortality with anticoagulation in patients with high D-dimer levels and/or high sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) scores.

Another recent study from New York examined the effect of therapeutic-dose anticoagulation on 2,773 unselected hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The study reported a modest improvement in median survival with the use of anticoagulation. However, this benefit appeared to be significantly greater in mechanically ventilated patients, with a 33.6% reduction in mortality. In-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated patients was 29.1% and 62.7% for patients who received and did not receive anticoagulation, respectively. The median duration of anticoagulation was 3 days, and longer anticoagulation correlated with better survival. However, D-dimer and CIS were not reported in this study and were not used as decision factors to prompt anticoagulation use. In the said study, it is likely that sicker patients were more likely to receive anticoagulation, as evidenced by the higher number of mechanically ventilated patients in the anticoagulation group. Prospective clinical trials are underway to confirm the survival benefit of anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19 [46].

Limitations: the present study involved a small population size. This did not allow us to indicate a clear degree of certainty about the results presented. Some parameters, especially biological ones, were not taken into account. Thus, certain biological markers such as D-dimer, ferritin, troponin, and interleukins were not analyzed.

Strengths: on the other hand, the main strength of the present study is that the patients were all infected during a limited period. Thus, this is an incident cohort and the analysis of outcome predictors may be more reliable. Also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, mortality, and prognostic factors of a complete cohort of COVID-19 patients at least 60 years old in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

 

Conclusion Up    Down

Mortality was high in seniors during COVID-19 and low oxygen saturation on admission was a risk factor for mortality. Corticosteroid therapy and anticoagulation were protective factors. These should be considered in management to reduce mortality.

What is known about this topic

  • Older age is associated with poorer outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection;
  • Living with someone of working age, living in a care home, living in neighbourhoods with the highest population density were found to be social factors associated with the mortality of older people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Europe;
  • Immunosenescence and inflammaging are two important aspects of the aging immune system that contribute to immunological dysfunction in the elderly. Another cause for ageing as a significant mortality risk is the increased prevalence of comorbidities in older adults.

What this study adds

  • We found that low oxygen saturation on admission was a risk factor for mortality in elderly COVID-19 patients;
  • Corticosteroid therapy and anticoagulation were protective factors in elderly COVID-19 patients;
  • To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, mortality, and prognostic factors of COVID-19 patients over 60 years old in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

 

Competing interests Up    Down

The authors declare no competing interest.

 

 

Authors' contributions Up    Down

All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

 

 

Tables and figure Up    Down

Table 1: general characteristics of patients at least 60 years of age hospitalized at the KUH from March 2020 to May 2021

Table 2: biologic characteristics of older patients admitted to the COVID-19 treatment center of the Kinshasa University Hospital between March 2020 and May 2021

Table 3: biologic characteristics and treatment of older patients admitted to the COVID-19 treatment center of the Kinshasa University Hospital between March 2020 and May 2021

Table 4: cox regression of factors associated with hazard of death at the COVID-19 treatment center of the Kinshasa University Hospital between March 2020 and May 2021

Figure 1: flow chart of COVID-19 patient´s selection

 

 

References Up    Down

  1. Han Q, Lin Q, Jin S,You L. Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: a brief perspective from the front line. J Infect. 2020; 80(4): 373-7. PubMed | Google Scholar

  2. Deng S Q, Peng H J. Characteristics of and public health responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China. J Clin Med. 2020; 9(2): 575. PubMed | Google Scholar

  3. Jiang S, Du L, Shi Z. An emerging coronavirus causing pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China: calling for developing therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020; 9(1): 275-7. PubMed | Google Scholar

  4. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation report-51. Geneva, Swit-. Google Scholar

  5. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): situation report, 51. World Health Organization. 2020. Accessed on 21 July, 2020, 2020

  6. Wu C, Chen X, Cai Y, Xia J, Zhou X, Xu S et al . Risk factors associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(7):934-943. PubMed | Google Scholar

  7. Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z et al . Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020; 395(10229):1054-62. PubMed | Google Scholar

  8. Wynants L, Van Calster B, Bonten MMJ, Collins GS, Debray TPA, De Vos M et al. Prediction models for diagnosis and prognosis of covid-19 infection: systematic review and critical appraisal. BMJ. 2020;7:369:m1328. PubMed | Google Scholar

  9. The Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Emergency Response Epidemiology Team*. The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in China (in chinese). Chin J of Epidemiol. 2020; 41 (2): 145-51. PubMed | Google Scholar

  10. Ma Y, Hou L, Yang X, Huang Z, Yang X, Zhao N et al . The association between frailty and severe disease among COVID-19 patients aged over 60 years in China: a prospective cohort study. BMC Med. 2020 Sep 7;18(1):274. PubMed | Google Scholar

  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Response Team, Stephanie Bialek, Ellen Boundy, Virginia Bowen, Nancy Chow, Amanda Cohn et al . Severe outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Mar 27; 69(12): 343–346. Google Scholar

  12. Hans Henri Kluge P. Statement: older people are at highest risk from COVID-19, but all must act to prevent community spread.World Health Organization. 2 April 2020. Google Scholar

  13. Laura Skrip, Karim Derra, Mikaila Kaboré, Navideh Noori, Adama Gansané, Innocent Valéa et al . Clinical management and mortality among COVID-19 cases in sub-Saharan Africa: a retrospective study from Burkina Faso and simulated case analysis. Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;101:194-200. PubMed | Google Scholar

  14. Tigist Leulseged W, Kindalem Abebe G, Ishmael Hassen S, Endalkachew Maru H, Wuletaw Zewde C, Negat Chamiso W et al . COVID-19 disease severity and associated factors among Ethiopian patients: a study of the millennium COVID-19 care center. PLoS One. 2022 Jan 27;17(1):e0262896. PubMed | Google Scholar

  15. Kelly Osezele Elimian, Chinwe Lucia Ochu, Blessing Ebhodaghe, Puja Myles, Emily Crawford E, Ehimario Igumbor et al . Patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 positivity and fatality in Nigeria: retrospective cohort study.BMJ Open. 2020 Dec 17;10(12):e044079. PubMed | Google Scholar

  16. Western Cape Department of Health in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa. Risk factors for COVID-19 death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 5;73(7):e2005-e2015. PubMed | Google Scholar

  17. Chahida Harizi, Ines Cherif, Nourhene Najar, Molka Osman, Rym Mallekh, Oumaima Ben Ayed., Characteristics and prognostic factors of COVID-19 among infected cases: a nationwide Tunisian analysis. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Feb 3;21(1):140. PubMed | Google Scholar

  18. Bepouka BI, Mandina M, Makulo JR, Longokolo M et al . Predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from March to June 2020. Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Oct 1;37:105. PubMed | Google Scholar

  19. Matangila JR, Nyembu RK, Telo GM, Ngoy CD, Sakobo TM, Massolo JM et al . Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Clinique Ngaliema, a public hospital in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS ONE. 2020; 15(12): e0244272. PubMed | Google Scholar

  20. Jean B Nachega, Daniel Katuashi Ishoso, John Otshudiema Otokoye, Michel Hermans P, Rhoderick Neri Machekano, Nadia Sam-Agudu A et al . Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Africa: early insights from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Dec;103(6):2419-2428. PubMed | Google Scholar

  21. World Health Organization. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected interim guidance, 13 March 2020. World Health Organization. 2020. Google Scholar

  22. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: laboratory testing for 2019-nCoV in humans. World Health Organization - Geneva, Switzerland. 2020.

  23. Liu Y, Sun W, Li J, Chen L, Wang Y, Zhang L et al . Clinical features and progression of acute respiratory 1 distress syndrome in coronavirus disease 2019. MedRxiv. 2020. Google Scholar

  24. Melissa Arons A, Kelly Hatfield M, Sujan Reddy C, Anne Kimball, Allison James, Jesica Jacobs R et al . Presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections and transmission in a skilled nursing facility. N Engl J Med. 2020; 382: 2081-90. Google Scholar

  25. Philippe Gautret, Jean-Christophe Lagiera, Philippe Parola, bVan ThuanHoang, Line Meddeb, Morgane Mailhe et al . Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID-19: results of an open-label non-randomized clinical trial. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2020; 56: 105949. Google Scholar

  26. Mazzitelli M, Arrighi E, Serapide F, Pelle MC, Tassone B, Lionello R et al . Use of subcutaneous tocilizumab in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. J Med Virol. 2021 Jan;93(1):32-34. PubMed | Google Scholar

  27. Sara Berloto, Elisabetta Notarnicola, Eleonora Perobelli, Andrea Rotolo. Italy and the COVID-19 long-term care situation.International Long-Term Care Policy Network. Google Scholar

  28. Chen Y, Klein SL, Garibaldi BT, Li H, Wu C, Osevala NM et al . Aging in COVID-19: vulnerability, immunity and intervention. Ageing Res Rev. 2021; 65:101205. PubMed | Google Scholar

  29. Klein S, Pekosz A, Park HS, Ursin R, Shapiro J, Benner S et al . Sex, age, and hospitalization drive antibody responses in a COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor population. J Clin Invest. 2020 Nov 2;130(11):6141-6150. PubMed | Google Scholar

  30. Pietrobon AJ, Teixeira FME, Sato MN. Immunosenescence and inflammaging: risk factors of severe COVID-19 in older people. Front Immunol. 2020 Oct 27;11:579220. PubMed | Google Scholar

  31. Viana SD, Nunes S, Reis F. ACE2 imbalance as a key player for the poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients with age-related comorbidities: role of gut microbiota dysbiosis. Ageing Res Rev. 2020 Sep;62:101123. PubMed | Google Scholar

  32. Zimmermann P, Curtis N. Why is COVID-19 less severe in children?: a review of the proposed mechanisms underlying the age-related difference in severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Arch Dis Child. 2020. PubMed | Google Scholar

  33. Moreno Fernandez-Ayala DJ, Navas P, Lopez-Lluch G. Age-related mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in COVID-19 disease.Exp Gerontol. 2020 Dec;142:111147 PubMed | Google Scholar

  34. Pott Junior H, Cominetti MR. Comorbidities predict 30-day hospital mortality of older adults with COVID-19. Geriatr Nurs. 2021 Jun 19;42(5):1024-1028. PubMed | Google Scholar

  35. Zimmer MA, Zink AK, Weißer CW, Vogt U, Michelsen A, Priebe HJ et al . Hypernatremia-A Manifestation of COVID-19: a case series. A A Pract. 2020 Jul;14(9): e01295. PubMed | Google Scholar

  36. Lim S, Bae JH, Kwon HS, Nauck MA. COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus: from pathophysiology to clinical management. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021 Jan;17(1):11-30. PubMed | Google Scholar

  37. Singh H, Chauhan P, Kakkar AK. Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19: the journey so far and the road ahead. Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 5;890:173717. PubMed | Google Scholar

  38. Kayembe JMN, D Ishoso, C Mbongopasi, Don J Mavungu, Jean R Makulo. (2021) Our experience of using Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the treatment of COVID-19: an observational study from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Biomedical Research and Clinical Reviews.2021; 4(1).

  39. Imam Z, Odish F, Gill I, O'Connor D, Armstrong J, Vanood A et al . Older age and comorbidity are independent mortality predictors in a large cohort of 1305 COVID-19 patients in Michigan, United States. J Intern Med. 2020 Oct;288(4):469-476. PubMed | Google Scholar

  40. Ibrahim OR, Suleiman BM, Abdullahi SB, Oloyede T, Sanda A, Gbadamosi MS et al . Epidemiology of COVID-19 and Predictors of Outcome in Nigeria: a single-center Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Dec;103(6):2376-2381. PubMed | Google Scholar

  41. Simon Jochems P, Fernando Marcon, Beatriz Carniel F, Mark Holloway, Elena Mitsi, Emma Smith et al. Inflammation induced by influenza virus impairs human innate immune control of pneumococcus. Nat Immunol.2018; 19(12): 1299-1308. PubMed | Google Scholar

  42. RECOVERY Collaborative Group, Horby P, Lim WS, Emberson JR, Mafham M, Bell JL et al. Dexamethasone in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: preliminary report. N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 25;384(8):693-704. PubMed | Google Scholar

  43. Christiane Maria Prado Jeronimo, Maria Eduarda Leão Farias, Fernando Fonseca Almeida Val, Vanderson Souza Sampaio, Marcia Almeida Araújo Alexandre, Gisely Cardoso Melo et al. Methylprednisolone as adjunctive therapy for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (Metcovid): a randomised, double-blind, phase IIb, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 May 4;72(9):e373-e381. PubMed | Google Scholar

  44. Bartoletti M, Marconi L, Scudeller L, Pancaldi L, Tedeschi S, Giannella M et al . PREDICO Study Group. Efficacy of corticosteroid treatment for hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19: a multicentre study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021 Jan;27(1):105-111. PubMed | Google Scholar

  45. Tang N, Bai H, Chen X, AB, CD, EF et al . Anticoagulant treatment is associated with decreased mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients with coagulopathy. J Thromb Haemost. 2020; 18(5):1094-9. PubMed | Google Scholar

  46. Hadid T, Kafri Z, Al-Katib A. Coagulation and anticoagulation in COVID-19. Blood Rev. 2021 May; 47:100761. PubMed | Google Scholar