Introduction
COVID-19 continues to be a major burden on the health care system and vaccines have been received with great expectations. This study examines the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on hospitalization outcomes in patients over 65 years of age.
Methods
A retrospective data analysis of patients between 10/2021 and 03/2022 was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their vaccination status. The investigate parameter where listed on the table. Chi-Squared-Tests as well as Mann-Whitney-Test for independent samples testing where used.
Results
Table 1: Results of the 171 analyzed patients
| All | vaccinated | non-vaccinatet | p | |
| N(%) | 171 | 99(58) | 72(42) | |
|
Female [n,%] |
68(40) | 38(38) | 30(42) | ns |
|
Age [years; mean±SD] |
79±8 | 80±8 | 77±8 | <0.01 |
|
4C-MS [mean±SD] |
12±3 | 12±3 | 11±3 | ns |
|
Relevant Diagnosis [mean±SD] |
3±2 | 3±2 | 2±2 | <0.01 |
|
ICU stay [N;%] |
12(7) | 6(6) | 6(8) | ns |
|
Hospitalisation duration [days,mean±SD] |
10±13 | 10±14 | 11±12 | 0.02 |
|
Mortality [N;%] |
24 (14) | 15(15) | 9(13) | ns |
|
Case Mix Index [mean±SD] |
3±6 | 2±6 | 3±5 | 0.03 |
Conclusion
Despite older age of the vaccinated patients group, their average length of hospital stay was shorter. Since age is the main factor for a higher 4C-MS and older people are more comorbid, it can be speculated that the younger ones were more COVID sick at time of hospitalisation. The trend toward more frequent use of cPAP and high-flow therapy (data not shown), as well as the trend toward greater need for intensive care and significantly longer hospital length of stay, suggest a higher likelihood of respiratory complications in unvaccinated patients. As a cost-relevant factor, the case-mix index of the vaccinated was significantly lower.