SARS-CoV-2 Cycle Thresholds, Poverty, Race, and Clinical Outcomes. WMJ 2021 Dec;120(4):301-304
Date
01/14/2022Pubmed ID
35025178Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85123460891 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poverty and high viral load are associated with worse outcomes among COVID-19 patients.
METHODS: We included patients admitted to Froedtert Health between March 16 and June 1, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 viral load was proxied by cycle-threshold values. To measure poverty, we used Medicaid or uninsured status and residence in socially disadvantaged areas. We assessed the association between viral load and length of stay and discharge disposition, while controlling for demographics and confounders.
RESULTS: Higher viral load was associated with longer length of stay (coefficient -0.02; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.01; P = 0.006) and higher likelihood of death (coefficient -0.11; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.06; P < 0.001). Poverty, residence in disadvantaged areas, and race were not.
DISCUSSION: This study confirms a relationship of viral load with in-hospital death, even after controlling for race and poverty.
Author List
Rivera F, Gmehlin CG, Pezzin LE, Hanson R, Perez A, Singh S, Ledeboer NA, Buchan BW, Nattinger AB, Munoz-Price LSAuthors
Nathan A. Ledeboer PhD Vice Chair, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of WisconsinAnn B. Nattinger MD, MPH Associate Provost, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Liliana Pezzin PhD, JD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Hospital MortalityHumans
Poverty
Retrospective Studies
