The patients in the third wave, i.e. the wave from spring 2021, were on average five years younger than the patients in the first and second waves. They also had a higher body mass index and suffered more from previous illnesses, as the University of Zurich wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
Coronary heart diseases were particularly common among the previous illnesses. These patients of the third wave would have tolerated Covid-19 somewhat better, had a lower concentration of white blood cells and required less circulatory support, the university writes.
Permanent damage is also possible with younger people
However, they were more likely to have severe acute lung failure (ARDS). This condition can cause permanent damage to younger people as well. It is known from previous studies that only about half of young patients with severe ARDS are fully able to work again after one year.
“The differences that we can observe in the third wave are probably largely related to the national vaccination campaign,” Matthias Hilty is quoted in the communication. Hilty is an intensive care physician at the University Hospital and the lead author of the study.
The age shift towards younger patients is not only due to the vaccination campaign, which protects older patients from a severe course. The University Hospital also assumes that “changed virus properties” are also responsible for the increased number of younger patients.
Cause for caution
People with the risk factors mentioned reacted differently to the virus in the third wave than the patients in the first and second waves. This gives cause for caution, writes the university hospital. Further public health planning and vaccination strategy should take this into account.
For the investigation, the data of all 1,829 patients were evaluated who were in an intensive care unit in a Swiss hospital because of Covid-19.
1690 of these people were treated before February 1, 2021 and are therefore counted in the first and second waves. 139 people were later admitted and counted in the third wave. (SDA)