WASHINGTON: Scientists have identified three different types of features of Covid-19 disease in patients, depending on their comorbidities, complications and clinical outcomes, a breakthrough that may help target future interventions to those most at risk.
The new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, looked at electronic medical records (EHRs) at 14 hospitals in the western United States and 60 primary care clinics in Minnesota.
According to researchers, including those at the University of Minnesota in the United States, the study included 7,538 patients with Covid-19 confirmed between March 7 and August 25, 2020, of whom 1,022 patients required hospitalization.
Nearly 60 percent of the patients included in the research presented what the researchers called “phenotype II.”
They said that about 23% of patients had “phenotype I” or “adverse phenotype”, which was associated with the worst clinical results.
The researchers said that these patients have the highest level of comorbidities related to heart and kidney dysfunction.
According to the study, 173 patients, or 16.9 percent, had “phenotype III” or “favorable phenotype,” which scientists said was associated with the best clinical outcomes.
While this group had the lowest rate of complications and mortality, the scientists said that these patients had the highest rate of respiratory comorbidities, as well as a 10 percent higher risk of readmission to the hospital, compared with the other phenotypes.
In general, they said that phenotypes I and II were associated with 7.30 and 2.57-fold increases in the risk of death compared to phenotype III.
Based on the results, the scientists said that such phenotype-specific medical care could improve the results of Covid-19.
However, they believe that further studies are needed to determine the usefulness of these findings in clinical practice.
“Patients do not suffer from Covid-19 in a uniform way. By identifying similarly affected groups, we not only improve our understanding of the disease process, but this allows us to accurately target future interventions to patients at highest risk.” , scientists added. .
The new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, looked at electronic medical records (EHRs) at 14 hospitals in the western United States and 60 primary care clinics in Minnesota.
According to researchers, including those at the University of Minnesota in the United States, the study included 7,538 patients with Covid-19 confirmed between March 7 and August 25, 2020, of whom 1,022 patients required hospitalization.
Nearly 60 percent of the patients included in the research presented what the researchers called “phenotype II.”
They said that about 23% of patients had “phenotype I” or “adverse phenotype”, which was associated with the worst clinical results.
The researchers said that these patients have the highest level of comorbidities related to heart and kidney dysfunction.
According to the study, 173 patients, or 16.9 percent, had “phenotype III” or “favorable phenotype,” which scientists said was associated with the best clinical outcomes.
While this group had the lowest rate of complications and mortality, the scientists said that these patients had the highest rate of respiratory comorbidities, as well as a 10 percent higher risk of readmission to the hospital, compared with the other phenotypes.
In general, they said that phenotypes I and II were associated with 7.30 and 2.57-fold increases in the risk of death compared to phenotype III.
Based on the results, the scientists said that such phenotype-specific medical care could improve the results of Covid-19.
However, they believe that further studies are needed to determine the usefulness of these findings in clinical practice.
“Patients do not suffer from Covid-19 in a uniform way. By identifying similarly affected groups, we not only improve our understanding of the disease process, but this allows us to accurately target future interventions to patients at highest risk.” , scientists added. .