Frontiers in Medicine (Mar 2024)
Comparison of time to negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 between young and elderly among asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients: a cohort study from a national containment center
- Imen Zemni,
- Imen Zemni,
- Imen Zemni,
- Cyrine Bennasrallah,
- Cyrine Bennasrallah,
- Cyrine Bennasrallah,
- Ines Charrada,
- Wafa Dhouib,
- Wafa Dhouib,
- Wafa Dhouib,
- Amani Maatouk,
- Donia Ben Hassine,
- Donia Ben Hassine,
- Rim Klii,
- Meriem Kacem,
- Meriem Kacem,
- Meriem Kacem,
- Manel Ben Fredj,
- Manel Ben Fredj,
- Manel Ben Fredj,
- Hela Abroug,
- Hela Abroug,
- Hela Abroug,
- Salma Mhalla,
- Maha Mastouri,
- Chawki Loussaief,
- Ines Jlassi,
- Ines Bouanène,
- Ines Bouanène,
- Asma Sriha Belguith,
- Asma Sriha Belguith,
- Asma Sriha Belguith
Affiliations
- Imen Zemni
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Imen Zemni
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Imen Zemni
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Cyrine Bennasrallah
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Cyrine Bennasrallah
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Cyrine Bennasrallah
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Ines Charrada
- Department of Endocrinology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Wafa Dhouib
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Wafa Dhouib
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Wafa Dhouib
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Amani Maatouk
- Department of Microbiology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Donia Ben Hassine
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Donia Ben Hassine
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Rim Klii
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Meriem Kacem
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Meriem Kacem
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Meriem Kacem
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Manel Ben Fredj
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Manel Ben Fredj
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Manel Ben Fredj
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Hela Abroug
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Hela Abroug
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Hela Abroug
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Salma Mhalla
- Department of Microbiology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Maha Mastouri
- Department of Microbiology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Chawki Loussaief
- Department of Infectiology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Ines Jlassi
- Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Ines Bouanène
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Ines Bouanène
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Asma Sriha Belguith
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Asma Sriha Belguith
- Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Department of Epidemiology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Asma Sriha Belguith
- Technology and Medical Imaging Research Laboratory, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1217849
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 11
Abstract
ObjectiveWe aimed to study the relationship between age and time to negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with asymptomatic and mild forms of COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study including all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the national COVID-19 containment center of Tunisia. Patients were subdivided into two cohorts: (under 60 years) and (over 60 years) and were followed up until PCR negativization. Log rank test and Cox regression were applied to compare time to negative conversion between the old group and the young group.ResultsThe study included 289 patients with non-severe forms of COVID-19. Age over 60 was significantly associated with delayed negative conversion in male sex (Hazard ratio (HR): 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2–3.07) and among patients with morbid conditions (HR:1.68; 95% CI: 1.02–2.75) especially diabetics (HR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.01–4.21). This association increased to (HR:2.3; 95% CI: 1.13–4.66) when male sex and comorbidities were concomitantly present and rose to (HR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.02–6.80) for men with diabetes. Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly delayed negative conversion in symptomatic patients. Significant interaction was observed between gender and age and between age and chronic conditions.ConclusionAge is associated with delayed negative conversion of viral RNA in certain subgroups. Identifying these subgroups is crucial to know how prioritize preventive strategies in elderly.
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