Table 1.
Patients' clinical profile and non-neurological symptoms and complications. Categorical variables are expressed as the number of positive cases (No) and percentage (%). Normal distributed continuous variables are expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD). Non-parametric continuous variables are expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test, t-test or Mann-Whitney test. &Comparisons made with ANCOVA using sex, age, diabetes, and numbers of neurological, cardiovascular, and other comorbidities as covariates, F(1,27) = 3.2. (.) Non-applicable. (ACE) angiotensin-converting enzyme, and (ARBs) angiotensin receptors blockers. Multimorbidity is defined by the presence of two or more chronic illnesses.
| All patients | Severe | Mild | Odds ratio (p-value) | Pronounced neuroimaging alterations | Negative or moderate neuroimaging alterations | Odds ratio (p-value) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All participants, n (%) | 35 | 13 (37.1) severe 5 (14.3) dead | 17 (48.6) | . | 10 (28.6) | 12 (34.3) moderate 13 (37.1) negative |
·· |
| Age [years], mean (SD) | 55.6 (17.0) | 61.8 (15.9) | 49.1 (15.9) | (0.024*) | 57.1 (18.7) | 55.0 (16.6) | (0.751) |
| Sex, male (%) | 23 (65.7) | 15 (83.3) | 8 (47.1) | 5.5 (0.035*) | 17 (68.0) | 6 (60.0) | 0.71 (0.706) |
| Clinical profile, No (%) | |||||||
| Number of comorbidities, median (IQR) | 2.00 (1.0–4.0) | 3.00 (2.0–4.0) | 2.0 (0.0–3.0) | (0.045*) | 3.0 (2.0–4.0) | 2.0 (1.0–3.0) | (0.212) |
| Multimorbidity, No (%) | 23 (65.7) | 14 (77.8%) | 9 (52.9%) | 3.1 (0.164) | 9 (90.0) | 14 (56.0) | 7.1 (0.113) |
| Number of cardiovascular diseases, median (IQR) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | 1.0 (0.0–2.25) | 0.0 (0.0–0.5) | (0.025*) | 0.5 (0.0–1.25) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | (0.872) |
| Hypertension, No (%) | 14 (40.0) | 10 (55.6) | 4 (23.5) | 4.1 (0.086) | 4 (40.0) | 10 (40.0) | 1.0 (1.00) |
| Coronary heart disease, No (%) | 5 (14.3) | 4 (22.2) | 1 (5.9) | 4.6 (0.338) | 1 (10.0) | 4 (16.0) | 0.58 (1.00) |
| Heart failure, No (%) | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Congenital heart disease, No (%) | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.00) |
| Acute myocardial infarction, No (%) | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Number of metabolic disorders, median (IQR) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | (0.546) | 0.5 (0.0–2.0) | 0.0 (0.0–1.0) | (0.339) |
| Obesity, No (%) | 5 (14.3) | 1 (5.6) | 4 (23.5) | 0.2 (0.177) | 1 (10.0) | 4 (16.0) | 0.58 (1.00) |
| Dyslipidemia, No (%) | 3 (8.6) | 1 (5.6) | 2 (11.8) | 0.4 (0.603) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (8.0) | 1.28 (1.00) |
| Diabetes, No (%) | 7 (20.0) | 7 (38.9) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.008**) | 4 (40.0) | 3 (12.0) | 4.89 (0.155) |
| Hypothyroidism, No (%) | 4 (11.4) | 2 (11.1) | 2 (11.8) | 0.9 (1.00) | 2 (20.0) | 2 (8.0) | 2.875 (0.561) |
| Hematologic disease, No (%) | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0) | 1 (5.9) | 0.0 (0.486) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (0.706) |
| Malignant neoplasm, No (%) | 4 (11.4) | 3 (16.7) | 1 (5.9) | 3.2 (0.603) | 1 (10.0) | 3 (12.0) | 0.815 (1.00) |
| Chronic pulmonary disease, No (%) | 3 (8.6) | 1 (5.6) | 2 (11.8) | 0.4 (0.603) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (4.0) | 6.0 (0.190) |
| Smoking, No (%) | 2 (5.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (11.8) | 0.0 (0.229) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Chronic renal disease, No (%) | 4 (11.4) | 3 (16.7) | 1 (5.9) | 3.2 (0.603) | 2 (20.0) | 2 (8.0) | 2.875 (0.561) |
| AIDS/HIV, No (%) | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Hepatitis C, No (%) | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0) | 1 (5.9) | 0.0 (0.486) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Other comorbidities, No (%) | 14 (40.0) | 8 (44.4) | 6 (35.3) | 1.5 (0.733) | 3 (30.0) | 11 (44.0) | 0.545 (0.704) |
| Drugs in use at hospital admission, No (%) | |||||||
| Immunosuppressants | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| ACE inhibitors | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (4.0) | 6.0 (0.190) |
| ARBs | 3 (8.6) | 2 (11.1) | 1 (5.9) | 2.0 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (12.) | 0.0 (0.542) |
| Anticoagulants | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Corticosteroids | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.09 (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.0) |
| Clinical signs and symptoms at hospital admission, No (%) | |||||||
| Fever, >37.5 °C | 22 (62.9) | 11 (61.1) | 11 (64.7) | 0.9 (1.00) | 4 (40.0) | 18 (72.0) | 0.26 (0.123) |
| Cough | 20 (57.1) | 10 (55.6) | 10 (58.8) | 0.9 (1.00) | 3 (30.0) | 17 (68.0) | 0.20 (0.062) |
| Sore throat | 4 (11.4) | 2 (11.1) | 2 (11.8) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (16.0) | 0.0 (0.303) |
| Rhinorrhea | 2 (5.7) | 0 (0) | 2 (11.8) | 0.0 (0.229) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.0) |
| Dyspnea | 17 (48.6) | 12 (66.7) | 5 (29.4) | 4.8 (0.044*) | 3 (30.0) | 14 (56.0) | 0.34 (0.264) |
| Rash | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0) | 1 (5.9) | 0.0 (0.486) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Hypertension | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.0) |
| Myalgia | 11 (31.4) | 1 (5.6) | 10 (58.8) | 0.04 (0.001**) | 0 (0.0) | 11 (44%) | 0.0 (0.015*) |
| Arthralgia | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Diarrhoea | 4 (11.4) | 2 (11.1) | 2 (11.8) | 0.9 (1.00) | 2 (20.0) | 2 (8.0) | 2.875 (0.561) |
| Hospitalization | |||||||
| Duration [days], median (IQR) | 17 (7–53) | 46.5 (28.25–72.5) | 7.0 (3–11.5) | (<0.001****) | 33.5 (17–58) | 12.0 (6.5–37) | (0.212) |
| ICU stay [days], median (IQR) | 11 (5–36) | 36.0 (23–64) | 6.0 (2.5–10.75) | (<0.001***) | 36.0 (10–60) | 9.0 (4–27.75) | (0.086) |
| Main in-hospital non-neurological symptoms and complications, No (%) | |||||||
| Fever | 3 (8.6) | 2 (11.1) | 1 (5.9) | 2.0 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (12.) | 0.0 (0.542) |
| Sinusitis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Bacterial pneumonia | 6 (17.1) | 6 (33.3) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.019*) | 2 (20.0) | 4 (16.0) | 1.31 (1.00) |
| Acute severe respiratory distress syndrome | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Tracheobronchitis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Dyspnea | 3 (8.6) | 2 (11.1) | 1 (5.9) | 2.0 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (12.) | 0.0 (0.542) |
| Pulmonary fibrosis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Pulmonary thromboembolism | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Hemoptysis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Pleural effusion | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Hypotension | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.0) |
| Hypertension | 5 (14.3) | 5 (27.8) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.045*) | 3 (30.0) | 2 (8.0) | 4.93 (0.128) |
| Tachycardia | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (8.0) | 1.28 (1.00) |
| Ventricular arrhythmia | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 3 (30.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.018*) |
| Atrial fibrillation | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.0) |
| Mitral valve regurgitation | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Cardiac arrest | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.0) |
| Cardiogenic shock | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Bleeding/Haemorrhage | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Venous thrombosis | 4 (11.4) | 3 (16.7) | 1 (5.9) | 3.2 (0.603) | 1 (10.0) | 3 (12.) | 0.815 (1.00) |
| Disseminated intravascular coagulation | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Hemodynamic instability | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (4.0) | 6.0 (0.190) |
| Severe anaemia | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (8.0) | 1.28 (1.00) |
| Blood transfusion | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Bacteremia | 4 (11.4) | 3 (16.7) | 1 (5.9) | 3.2 (0.603) | 1 (10.0) | 3 (12.0) | 0.815 (1.00) |
| Sepsis/septic shock | 9 (25.7) | 8 (44.4) | 1 (5.9) | 12.8 (0.018*) | 4 (40.0) | 5 (20.0) | 2.67 (0.393) |
| Hepatitis | 1 (2.0) | 0 (0) | 1 (5.9) | 0.0 (0.486) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Hepatic dysfunction | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.0) |
| Acute kidney failure | 6 (17.1) | 6 (33.3) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.019*) | 2 (20.0) | 4 (16.0) | 1.31 (1.00) |
| Urinary retention | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Pyelonephritis/pyeloureteritis | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (4.0) | 2.67 (1.00) |
| Hyperglycemia | 3 (8.6) | 3 (16.7) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.229) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (8.0) | 1.28 (1.00) |
| Metabolic acidosis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Acute diarrhoea | 2 (5.7) | 2 (11.1) | 0 (0) | ∞ (0.486) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Gastrointestinal bleeding | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Rhabdomyolysis | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| Facial hyperemia/oedema | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Pharmacodermia | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Drugs during hospitalization, number of patients in use (%) | |||||||
| Immunoglobulins | 2 (5.7) | 0 (0) | 2 (11.8) | 0.0 (0.229) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Corticosteroids | 18 (51.4) | 11 (61.1) | 7 (41.2) | 2.2 (0.318) | 6 (60.0) | 12 (48.0) | 1.625 (0.711) |
| Antibiotics | 28 (80.0) | 11 (61.1) | 12 (70.6) | 3.3 (0.228) | 8 (80.0) | 20 (80.0) | 1.00 (1.00) |
| Anticoagulants | 24 (68.6) | 13 (72.2) | 11 (64.7) | 1.4 (0.725) | 7 (70.0) | 17 (68.0) | 1.10 (1.00) |
| Antivirals | 10 (28.6) | 8 (44.4) | 2 (11.8) | 6.00 (0.060) | 4 (40.0) | 6 (24.0) | 2.1 (0.421) |
| Antipsychotics | 2 (5.7) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (5.9) | 0.9 (1.00) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) | 0.0 (1.00) |
| Antidepressants | 1 (2.9) | 1 (5.6) | 0 (0) | ∞ (1.00) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | ∞ (0.286) |
| COVID-19-associated Hyperinflammatory Syndrome (cHIS), adjusted means (No ≥ 2, %) | 2.6 (23, 65.7) | 3.2 (15, 88.9) | 2.0 (8, 47.06) | 5.6 (0.035* and 0.085&) | 2.7 (7, 70.0) | 2.6 (16, 64.0) | 1.3 (1.00 and 0.88&) |