Case fatality rates of COVID-19 during epidemic periods of variants of concern: A meta-analysis by continents.

Int J Infect Dis

Institute of Medical Information/Library, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Published: April 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study aimed to calculate case fatality rates (CFR) of COVID-19 across various continents during different variants of concern (VOC), using data from authoritative sources between January 2020 and March 2023.
  • Researchers found that CFRs varied significantly by variant, with Alpha at 2.62%, Beta at 4.19%, Gamma at 3.60%, Delta at 2.01%, and Omicron at 0.70%, and also discovered differences in CFRs among continents, particularly noting that Europe and Oceania had lower rates.
  • The study concluded that while CFRs differ by variant and region, they are influenced by factors like human development index (HDI), age

Article Abstract

Objectives: To calculate the case fatality rates (CFR) of COVID-19 during epidemic periods of different variants of concern (VOC) by continents.

Methods: We systematically searched five authoritative databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and MedRxiv) for epidemiological studies on the CFR of COVID-19 published between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023. After identifying the epidemic trends of variants, we used a random-effects model to calculate the pooled CFRs during periods of different VOCs. This meta-analysis was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023431572).

Results: There were variations in the CFRs among different variants of COVID-19 (Alpha: 2.62%, Beta: 4.19%, Gamma: 3.60%, Delta: 2.01%, Omicron: 0.70%), and disparities in CFRs also existed among continents. On the whole, the CFRs of COVID-19 in Europe and Oceania were slightly lower than in other continents. There was a statistically significant association between the variant, HDI value, age distribution, coverage of full vaccination of cases, and the CFR.

Conclusions: The CFRs of COVID-19 varied across the epidemic periods of different VOCs, and disparities existed among continents. The CFR value reflected combined effects of various factors within a certain context. Caution should be exercised when comparing CFRs due to disparities in testing capabilities and age distribution among countries, etc.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.01.017DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

epidemic periods
12
case fatality
8
fatality rates
8
covid-19 epidemic
8
periods variants
8
variants concern
8
cfr covid-19
8
periods vocs
8
existed continents
8
cfrs covid-19
8

Similar Publications

Heatwaves pose a range of severe impacts on human health, including an increase in premature mortality. The summers of 2018 and 2022 are two examples with record-breaking temperatures leading to thousands of heat-related excess deaths in Europe. Some of the extreme temperatures experienced during these summers were predictable several weeks in advance by subseasonal forecasts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Final diagnosis of heart failure (HF) relies on a combination clinical findings, laboratory and imaging tests. The aim of this study was to review the diagnostic approach to HF in Türkiye.

Materials And Methods: This study is a subanalysis of the nationwide TRends-HF study, based on anonymized data from National Electronic Database between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Using a community-engaged approach, we adapted a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention smartphone app, Transpire, to meet the HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention needs of transgender men and other transmasculine people. We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the app among participants in two cities in the southeastern United States.

Methods: Participants were recruited online and through community partners.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major factor for cancer-associated mortality globally. Although the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and albumin (ALB) show individual prognostic value for various cancers, their combined significance (SII/ALB) in HCC patients undergoing curative hepatectomy is still unknown. It is hypothesized that a higher SII/ALB ratio correlates with poorer outcomes with regard to overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study evaluates the efficiency of public hospitals in Greece during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Faced with unprecedented pressure from increased demand for medical services, these hospitals had to adapt quickly while playing a crucial role in supporting local economies, similar to the effect of tourism on rural economies. This study reveals that, despite average efficiency scores of 83% for result-oriented models (BCC) and 65% for constant return models (CCR), inefficiencies of scale emerged under the pressures of the pandemic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!