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Association between ionized calcium levels and 3-months mortality in geriatric patients hospitalized for COVID-19
Audrey Boudaille1, Alexis Bourgeais2, Mathieu Corvaisier3
1UNIV ANGERS, Health Faculty, University of Angers, Angers, France; Department of Geriatric Medicine and Memory Clinic, Research Center on Autonomy and Longevity, University Hospital, Angers, France.
Insights
Higher ionized calcium (CaI) levels are linked to increased 3-month mortality in elderly COVID-19 patients. This finding highlights CaI as a potential prognostic marker in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- COVID-19 poses significant risks to the geriatric population.
- Calcium homeostasis may play a role in disease severity and outcomes.
- Ionized calcium (CaI) is the biologically active form of calcium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ionized calcium (CaI) levels and 3-month mortality in elderly patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
- To identify CaI as a potential prognostic indicator for COVID-19 outcomes in geriatrics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 179 geriatric patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
- Serum CaI levels were measured and categorized (>1.22 and ≤1.22 mmol/L).
- Survival analysis using Cox models was employed to assess mortality risk.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between CaI levels over 1.22 mmol/L and increased 3-month mortality (HR 2.40 [1.34-4.31], p = 0.003).
- Adjusted models confirmed CaI as an independent predictor of mortality.
Conclusions:
- Elevated ionized calcium (CaI) is associated with higher 3-month mortality in hospitalized geriatric COVID-19 patients.
- CaI may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 outcomes in the elderly.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to determine an association between ionized calcium (CaI) levels and mortality 3 months after Covid-19 infection in geriatric population.
Design:
Observational retrospective cohort study.
Setting And Participants:
One hundred and seventy-nine patients hospitalized in the geriatric acute care unit of Angers University Hospital were included. This specific unit specifically dedicated to COVID-19 patients was opened for 2 periods : from March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and from October 1, 2020 to March 29, 2021. Covariates considered were: age, sex, Iso-Resources Groups (GIR) score ≤ 3, Parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), severe undernutrition defined as albumin < 30 g/L, history of cancer, history of cardiomyopathy, severe chronic renal failure (defined as clearance < 30 ml/min), Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (OSCI) score, use of systemic corticosteroids and usual vitamin D supplementation. Direct potentiometry was also used as a covariate.
Measurements:
The time elapsed between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and death was studied by survival curves calculated using Cox model in each group defined by serum CaI concentration (>1.22 and ≤1.22 mmol/L).
Results:
In the Cox model, a significant association was found between CaI over 1.22 mmol/l and 3-months mortality, analyzed in an adjusted model (HR 2.40 [1.34-4.31], p = 0.003).
Conclusion:
There is an association between CaI and 3 months mortality in geriatric patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
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