Clinical characteristics of vulnerable populations hospitalized and diagnosed with COVID-19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

YACOBITTI, A.; OTERO, L.; DOLDAN ARRUBARRENA, V.; ARANO, J.; LAGE, S.; SILBERMAN, M.; ZUBIETA, M.; ERBETTA, I.; DANEI, P.; BAECK, G.; VALLEJOS, V.; CAVALLI, F.; CALDERÓN, N.; DI GREGORIO, M.; HERNANDEZ, V.; BRUNO, D.; RODERA, B.; MACHERETT, I.; PARISI, M.; GALLASTEGUI, M.; PAZ, A.; BERNARDI, R.; AZCÁRATE, S.; HRASTE, A.; CARIDI, I.; BOECHI, L.; SALGADO, P.; KOCHEN, S.

Scientific Reports

Nature

Año: 2021 vol. 11

There is not in Argentina publications regarding the presentation of patients with COVID-19 requiringhospitalized and emergency care in vulnerable populations (lower incomes and less education tendat greater risk for poor health status and healthcare access), and it has few reports in developingcountries. The objective is to determine whether in the care of vulnerable patients, to succeed againstCOVID-19, multiple public health tools and interventions will be needed to minimize morbidity andmortality. The study is a prospective cohort investigation of patients with lab-confirmed COVID-19,who required to any of the Health Centers response from April 8, 2020, to August 18, 2020. In BuenosAires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), April 8, 2020 the virus was identified in patients hospitalized in the"Southeast Network" (SN), AMBA. SN covering an area of 661 square kilometers, with 1.8 millioninhabitants residing in urban, and rural areas. A total of 14 health centers with different levels of carecomplexity provide care to patients in the region. The information of each patient with COVID-19evaluated by SN, was incorporated in an Epidemiological Dashboard. The investigation was designedand reported with consideration of observational studies in epidemiology. We describe the hospitalspresentation and care of persons who required SN response and were ultimately diagnosed withCOVID-19. From April 8, 2020, to August 18, 2020, were included 1495 patients with lab-confirmedCOVID-19 in SN. A total of 58% patients were men, and the mean age (SD) was 48.9 (15.59) years.Eighty one percent patients with pre-existing diseases, most frequent hypertension and diabetes,but hypertension, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease presented higher risk. A total of13% were hospitalized in Intensive Therapy Unit. The mortality of the cohort was 9.77%. Mortality was higher for patients aged 65 or more (OR 5.09), and for those had some pre-existing disease (OR2.61). Our observations are consistent with reports demonstrating older persons, and those withcomorbidities have the highest risk of mortality related to COVID-19. However, unlike other reportsfrom developed or some developing countries, the mortality in our study is lower. This finding maybe related to age of our cohort is younger than other published. Also, the health system was able torespond to the demand.