Even young people without previous illnesses who are suffering from the coronavirus can go through a severe course of the disease. This is one of the results of a recently published observational study by the Aarau Cantonal Hospital (KSA).
The hospital examined the course of the disease in the first 99 patients who were hospitalized during the peak of the coronapandemic. Around a third of all observed inpatients showed severe or complicated disease courses that either made intensive treatment necessary or led to death.
Difficult course even in people without previous illnesses
“It is interesting that the study shows that a very old age or certain existing basic or risk pre-existing conditions do not necessarily lead to these difficult courses,” the hospital wrote in a statement.
Under 60s without serious underlying illnesses could also be affected. However, the actual numbers put this statement into perspective: 30 of the 99 patients were under 60 years old. Of these 30, seven had no underlying disease.
Of these 7, three had a very severe course and were treated in the intensive care unit. All three would have survived, the KSA reports on request.
Patients without a severe course of illness were hospitalized on average between four and ten days, those with a severe course of illness between nine and 24 days, writes the KSA. A total of 19 people had to be artificially ventilated, which is half of all people with severe disease.
Of the 19 ventilated patients, 12 survived. A total of 18 of the 99 patients died.
Study to improve future treatments
The study found that inflammation and blood saturation levels and the general clinical condition of the patient can be used to assess whether a Covid 19 disease tends to be severe.
The KSA authors hope that their results, together with data from other Swiss hospitals, will make it possible in the future to develop risk models for Switzerland that enable an even better prognosis and thus help to improve treatment.
The study was published on July 15, 2020 in the «Swiss Medical Weekly». The study focused only on patients who tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be hospitalized.
More people in Aargau infected with Corona
From Monday to Tuesday, the number of corona cases in Aargau increased by 19. There are currently 54 infected people in isolation, 158 contact persons are in quarantine. Two corona patients are currently being treated at the KSA.
Infections have also returned to homes. According to statistics from the cantonal medical service, 3 people were infected in homes. (rka)
–
