Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are commonly used for dyslipidemia management to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an emerging systematic low-grade inflammatory marker associated with atherosclerotic CVD development. Despite racial/ethnic disparities in the use and response of statins and the anti-inflammatory effects of statins, the effectiveness of statins on inflammation and metabolic markers is unknown among Hispanics. ⋯ In addition, hepatic steatosis (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=0.25; 95%CI: 0.08, 0.78, p= 0.017) was significantly lower among patients with the use of statins. Our study suggests that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may help reduce inflammation among Hispanic patients with dyslipidemia and hypertension. These findings have useful implications for preventing risk and disparities associated with cardiovascular and other inflammatory-induced diseases among the fastest-growing US Hispanic minorities.
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The long-term impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a critical public health concern. The presence of residual symptoms in COVID-19 survivors has been investigated with various results; however, there is limited data documenting outcomes longer than 6 months post-hospitalization. We aimed to investigate the 12-month lasting effects of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. ⋯ Spirometry and echocardiography tests returned to normal in most patients during the evaluation, and no one had substantial residual disease. Our study provides insight into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on patients' physical and mental health. Despite the lack of significant residual disease or major complications after a year of thorough follow-up, COVID-19 survivors experienced lasting symptoms and a negative impact on their QoL.
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Comorbid conditions represent a major risk for severe illness among persons with COVID-19. Previously healthy people with COVID-19 can also develop severe illness, but are expected to have better outcomes than those with comorbid conditions. Nevertheless, recent data suggest that the former may have, counterintuitively, higher risk of death among those with non-COVID sepsis. ⋯ On adjusted analyses, the odds of short-term mortality were lower among the previously healthy compared to those with comorbidities overall (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73-0.98)), but did not differ among those with ≥3 organ dysfunctions (aOR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.84-1.46)) and the mechanically ventilated (aOR 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.12)), while being higher among those with do-not-resuscitate status (aOR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.04-1.89)). Over one in eight ICU admissions with COVID-19 were previously healthy. Although being previously healthy was associated with lower risk of death compared to those with comorbidities overall, it had no prognostic advantage among the more severely ill.