COVID-19 patients in high-grade ICUs had improved survival in a case study

Coronavirus 2 of severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is spreading worldwide.

In an interesting new study recently published on preprint medRxiv* a server, a team of researchers in Ecuador and the UK found that high altitudes may be linked to improved COVID-19 survival – especially among patients without comorbidities.

Less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China, and since then it has spread to 192 countries and regions. To date, more than 101 million have been infected, and more than 2.13 million have died.

The disease spreads rapidly and behaves invisibly. However, those over 60 and those with comorbidities or underlying medical conditions are high-risk groups who are more likely to develop severe symptoms.

Many studies have identified differences in depth of illness and mortality according to many factors, such as accessibility of health care, socioeconomic status, burden of chronic diseases, strength of epidemiological surveillance systems, and infection control measures.

There has been another vague link between living in an elevated area and the severity of COVID-19 disease. It has been suggested that people living in high altitude areas, where they develop greater tolerance to hypoxia, are more likely to survive COVID-19.

Further, scientists also believe that people in high-altitude areas, such as mountains, are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 because they have a lower sensitivity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. ACE2 is the way the virus catches and contaminates host cells.

The study

The study shows the difference between hospitalized patients living in high-intensity care units (ICUs), than those in low-altitude ICUs.

To reach the conclusions of the study, the researchers compared the clinical course and outcomes of patients who were severely ill with COVID-19. These patients are hospitalized in two ICUs located at low and high altitudes.

The team aimed to see the effect of two elevations, which were 10 meters and 2,850 meters above sea level, on the clinical outcome and survival of COVID-19-tested patients. They conducted a prospective cohort study, two centers in COVID-19-positive confirmed adult patients admitted to either an ICU unit at low or high sea level as well as one high.

The findings of the study showed that, of the 230 COVID-19 patients, 45.7 percent had at least one underlying health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and renal failure.

When comparing the two groups, the study showed that there was a higher number of white blood cells, lower platelets, and higher levels of C-reactive protein in the high-altitude group, which is present. if there is inflammation in the body.

At the same time, oxygenation status was at risk in both groups upon admission. In further studies, COVID-19 patients showed dyspnea or respiratory distress, increased heart rate, and decreased oxygen levels.

In summary, the findings of the study showed that, among patients with severe COVID-19 dementia, there was a significant improvement in survival in those placed in high-altitude ICUs. They had also improved disease classification system scores at three days from the onset of the symptom. These patients also had better ventilation and respiratory profiles compared with those in the low-altitude group.

* Important message

medRxiv publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be seen as final, guiding health-related clinical practice / behavior, or be treated as information established.