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. 2021 Nov 11;10(22):5239.
doi: 10.3390/jcm10225239.

Riding the COVID Waves: Clinical Trends, Outcomes, and Remaining Pitfalls of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Analysis of Two High-Incidence Periods at a Hospital in Northern Italy

Marina Sartini  1   2 , Filippo Del Puente  3 , Martino Oliva  2 , Alessio Carbone  2 , Elisabetta Blasi Vacca  3 , Andrea Parisini  3 , Silvia Boni  3 , Nicoletta Bobbio  3 , Marcello Feasi  3 , Alessandra Battistella  4 , Emanuele Pontali  3 , Maria Luisa Cristina  1   2
Affiliations

Riding the COVID Waves: Clinical Trends, Outcomes, and Remaining Pitfalls of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Analysis of Two High-Incidence Periods at a Hospital in Northern Italy

Marina Sartini et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Italy was the first western country to face an uncontrolled outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The epidemic began in March 2020 within a context characterised by a general lack of knowledge about the disease. The first scientific evidence emerged months later, leading to treatment changes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of these changes.

Methods: Data from a hospital in Genoa, Italy, were analysed. Patients deceased from SARS-CoV-2 infection were selected. Data were compared by dividing patients into two cohorts: "phase A" (March-May 2020) and "phase B" (October-December 2020).

Results: A total of 5142 patients were admitted. There were 274 SARS-CoV-2-related deaths (162 phase A and 112 phase B). No differences were observed in terms of demographics, presentation, or comorbidities. A significant increase was recorded in corticosteroid use. Mortality was 33.36% during phase A, falling to 21.71% during phase B. When subdividing the trend during the two phases by age, we found a difference in people aged 65-74 years.

Conclusions: There is scarce evidence regarding treatment for SARS-CoV-2 (especially for severe infection). However, treatment changes improved the prognosis for people under the age of 75. The prognosis for older people remains poor, despite the improvements achieved.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; clinical trends; outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan–Meier overall survival estimates for SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan–Meier survival estimates for SARS-CoV-2-infected patients divided by age group in the two periods: phase A (A) and phase B (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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