Erschienen in:
Gerontology, 67 (2021) 1, Seite 78-86
Sprache:
Englisch
DOI:
10.1159/000512209
ISSN:
0304-324X;
1423-0003
Entstehung:
Anmerkungen:
Beschreibung:
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Lung ultrasound (LUS) showed a promising role in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients hospitalized for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, no data are available on its role in elderly patients. <b><i>Aims:</i></b> The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of LUS in elderly patients hospitalized for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Consecutive elderly patients (age &#x3e;65 years) hospitalized for COVID-19 were enrolled. Demographics, laboratory, comorbidity, and the clinical features of the patients were collected. All patients underwent LUS on admission to the ward. LUS characteristics have been analyzed. Uni- and multivariate analyses to evaluate predictors for in-hospital death were performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Thirty-seven hospitalized elderly patients (19 men) with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection were consecutively enrolled. The median age was 82 years (interquartile range 74.5–93.5). Ultrasound alterations were found in all patients enrolled; inhomogeneous interstitial syndrome with spared areas (91.9%) and pleural alterations (100%) were the most frequent findings. At univariate analysis, LUS score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.168, 95% CI 1.049–1.301) and pleural effusions (HR 3.995, 95% CI 1.056–15.110) were associated with in-hospital death. At multivariate analysis, only LUS score (HR 1.168, 95% CI 1.049–1.301) was independelty associated with in-hospital death. The LUS score’s best cutoff for distinguishing patients experiencing in-hospital death was 17 (at multivariate analysis LUS score ≥17, HR 4.827, 95% CI 1.452–16.040). In-hospital death was significantly different according to the LUS score cutoff of 17 (<i>p</i> = 0.0046). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> LUS could play a role in the diagnosis and prognosis in elderly patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection.