Epidemiological Profile of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Hospitalized Due to SARS-CoV-2 or Influenza Virus Infection

• Grant number: 24/13359-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Augusto de Lima Marson
• Grantee: Adriele Evelyn Ferreira da Silva
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggered a global pandemic known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), affecting the health and lives of millions of people. Brazil reported many diagnosed cases and deaths, along with the concurrent collapse of the healthcare system. COVID-19 presents a broad spectrum of phenotypes and can range from mild symptoms to severe respiratory failure. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza virus, which causes the flu, was associated with hospitalizations due to the progression of pulmonary clinical conditions. Interestingly, both infections have advanced age as a risk factor for death. In addition, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in Brazil, affecting millions of elderly individuals. Patients with Alzheimer's are a high-risk group for both COVID-19 and influenza, and vaccination is recommended for this group. Despite the importance of vaccination, new viral strains can emerge, leading to new endemics and pandemics. Therefore, it is crucial to understand which groups are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza virus to develop effective health promotion strategies and clinical care. Thus, this study aims to examine the epidemiological profile of individuals with Alzheimer's infected by SARS-CoV-2 or the influenza virus in a representative four-year follow-up cohort of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil-from March 2020 to March 2024.Methods: An epidemiological analysis will be conducted using data available from Open-Data-SUS (https://opendatasus.saude.gov.br/). The data will be tabulated according to the surveillance of severe acute respiratory infection by the Brazilian Ministry of Health compiled from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System Platform. In the study, descriptive analyses will be performed using the number of individuals (N) and the percentage (%) for categorical data. We will also present the mean ± standard deviation [or mean and 95% confidence interval (95%CI)] for numerical data. Where possible, we will also present the odds ratio (OR) and 95%CI for inferential statistical analyses. The following markers will be included age, sex, place of residence, comorbidities, clinical symptoms related to the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome, the need for treatment in an intensive care unit, the need for mechanical ventilation support, length of stay in the intensive care unit (days), and outcomes. The primary outcome will be the risk of death in the presence of hospital discharge.Perspective: Patients with Alzheimer's disease are expected to be more susceptible to a worse clinical prognosis, with a higher risk of death when infected by SARS-CoV-2 or the influenza virus.