Clinical Anatomy of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Central Greece (2020–2022)
Author Information
Author(s): Voulgaridi Ioanna, Bogogiannidou Zacharoula, Dadouli Katerina, Galanopoulos Achilleas P., Kyritsi Maria A., Vontas Alexandros, Matziri Alexia, Kola Konstantina, Vachtsioli Evangelia, Anagnostopoulos Lemonia, Tsispara Anastasia, Oikonomou Katerina G., Babalis Dimitris, Petinaki Efthymia, Tseroni Maria, Kalala Fani, Speletas Matthaios, Mouchtouri Varvara A., Hadjichristodoulou Christos, Galindo José
Primary Institution: University of Thessaly
Hypothesis
This study aimed to examine the clinical differences and outcomes among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in patients in Central Greece.
Conclusion
The study found distinct clinical presentations and outcomes associated with different SARS-CoV-2 variants, with vaccination playing a protective role against severe cases.
Supporting Evidence
- Children infected by Omicron variants developed symptoms more frequently than those infected by non-Omicron variants.
- Non-Omicron variants were associated with higher rates of hospitalization, pneumonia, and death compared to Omicron variants.
- Vaccination against COVID-19 was shown to be a protective factor for severe outcomes.
Takeaway
This study looked at how different COVID-19 variants made people sick in Greece and found that some variants caused more severe illness than others, but vaccines helped keep people safer.
Methodology
An observational cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab who visited the emergency department of a public Greek hospital.
Potential Biases
Self-reported symptoms may introduce bias, and the study did not include all variants due to insufficient samples.
Limitations
The study participants were not representative of the general population as they were primarily sourced from patients visiting the hospital emergency department.
Participant Demographics
913 participants, including 813 adults (median age 47) and 100 children (median age 11), with 57.1% of adults being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.039
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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