Artículo
Asymptomatic COVID-19 in the elderly: dementia and viral clearance as risk factors for disease progression
Esteban, Ignacio; Bergero, Georgina; Alves, Camila; Bronstein, Micaela; Ziegler, Valeria; Wood, Cristian; Caballero, Mauricio Tomás
; Wappner, Diego; Libster, Romina Paula
; Perez Marc, Gonzalo; Polack, Fernando Pedro
Fecha de publicación:
08/2021
Editorial:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Revista:
Gates Open Research
ISSN:
2572-4754
Idioma:
Inglés
Tipo de recurso:
Artículo publicado
Clasificación temática:
Resumen
Background:SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals ≥60 years old have the highest hospitalization rates and represent >80% fatalities. Within this population, those in long-term facilities represent >50% of the total COVID-19 related deaths per country. Among those without symptoms, the rate of pre-symptomatic illness is unclear, and potential predictors of progression for symptom development are unknown.Our objective was to delineate the natural evolution of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in elders and identify determinants of progression.Methods:We established a medical surveillance team monitoring 63 geriatric institutions. When an index COVID-19 case emerged, we tested all other eligible asymptomatic elders ≥75 or >60 years old with at least 1 comorbidity. SARS-CoV-2 infected elders were followed for 28 days. Disease was diagnosed when any COVID-19 manifestation occurred. SARS-CoV-2 load at enrollment, shedding on day 15, and antibody responses were also studied.Results:After 28 days of follow-up, 74/113(65%) SARS-CoV-2-infected elders remained asymptomatic. 21/39(54%) pre-symptomatic patients developed hypoxemia and ten pre-symptomatic patients died(median day 13.5,IQR 12).Dementia was the only clinical risk factor associated with disease(OR 2.41(95%CI=1.08, 5.39). In a multivariable logistic regression model, dementia remained as a risk factor for COVID-19 severe disease. Furthermore, dementia status showed a statistically significant different trend when assessing the cumulative probability of developing COVID-19 symptoms(log-rank p=0.027).On day 15, SARS-CoV-2 was detectable in 30% of the asymptomatic group while in 61% of the pre-symptomatic(p=0.012).No differences were observed among groups in RT-PCR mean cycle threshold at enrollment(p=0.391) and in the rates of antibody seropositivity(IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein).Conclusions:In summary, 2/3 of our cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected elders from vulnerable communities in Argentina remained asymptomatic after 28 days of follow-up with high mortality among those developing symptoms. Dementia and persistent SARS-CoV-2 shedding were associated with progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic infection.
Palabras clave:
SARS COV2
,
COVID-19
,
DEMENTIA
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Articulos(SEDE CENTRAL)
Articulos de SEDE CENTRAL
Articulos de SEDE CENTRAL
Citación
Esteban, Ignacio; Bergero, Georgina; Alves, Camila; Bronstein, Micaela; Ziegler, Valeria; et al.; Asymptomatic COVID-19 in the elderly: dementia and viral clearance as risk factors for disease progression; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gates Open Research; 5; 8-2021; 1-8
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