Re: Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study
Dear Editor
Epidemiology of covid-19 and the unexpected death rates. Could not the reason for this be the way out of the Mire.
The NHS figures have shown unexpected low numbers of those under 60 yrs been admitted to hospital when compared to previous Influenza outbreaks.
The high risk group over 60yr especially males appears higher than might have expected considering the low numbers below 60yr.
Some patients admitted to hospital suddenly deteriorate after one week in what appears to be an immune response by the body.
The papers from Wuhan Dr Fei Zhou et al had already not only indicated that the risk group was the over 60yrs and higher numbers of males but patients classed as having Hypertension having a high risk. These facts are agreed by Dr Albini et al in his comments in rapid response regarding 9000 patients in Italy where 73% had hypertension .
Surely these very facts link point to the fact that the higher illness rate and death rate over age 60yr is related to other factors than just comorbidity. Dr Albini has suggersted that ACE inhibitors and ARBs could possibly be indicated as a causal element.
These facts clearly link with the right and proper campaign you have started regarding BAME doctors and ethnic groups who are likely to be prescribed these drugs for treating hypertension particularly if they have diabetes.
Surely there is a case for a rapid proactive research project in a few areas in UK where those on these drugs are changed to others where possible . this would quickly identify or rule this out rapidly.
Rapid Response:
Re: Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study
Dear Editor
Epidemiology of covid-19 and the unexpected death rates. Could not the reason for this be the way out of the Mire.
The NHS figures have shown unexpected low numbers of those under 60 yrs been admitted to hospital when compared to previous Influenza outbreaks.
The high risk group over 60yr especially males appears higher than might have expected considering the low numbers below 60yr.
Some patients admitted to hospital suddenly deteriorate after one week in what appears to be an immune response by the body.
The papers from Wuhan Dr Fei Zhou et al had already not only indicated that the risk group was the over 60yrs and higher numbers of males but patients classed as having Hypertension having a high risk. These facts are agreed by Dr Albini et al in his comments in rapid response regarding 9000 patients in Italy where 73% had hypertension .
Surely these very facts link point to the fact that the higher illness rate and death rate over age 60yr is related to other factors than just comorbidity. Dr Albini has suggersted that ACE inhibitors and ARBs could possibly be indicated as a causal element.
These facts clearly link with the right and proper campaign you have started regarding BAME doctors and ethnic groups who are likely to be prescribed these drugs for treating hypertension particularly if they have diabetes.
Surely there is a case for a rapid proactive research project in a few areas in UK where those on these drugs are changed to others where possible . this would quickly identify or rule this out rapidly.
Competing interests: No competing interests