Abstract
BACKGROUND: From autumn 2020 until spring 2021 Germany experienced the second wave of SARS-CoV‑2 infections. As in the previous wave, the older population in nursing homes was hard hit by this infection because of the lack of available vaccines. Due to the multimorbidity in this susceptible group the mortality was high. METHODS: Retrospectively collected patient data of geriatric patients treated from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 due to proven SARS-CoV‑2 infection were evaluated concerning the duration of symptoms, hospital stay, and laboratory results. The results are presented descriptively and significance tests were performed with t‑test and log-rank test to reveal some risk factors for a worse outcome. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients aged from 65 to 97 years were included, with a mean mortality rate of 28% and was highest in the age group over 90 years old. Most patients died within the first 10 days of hospitalization. Intensive care treatment prolonged the hospital stay by 6 days, but the average survival time became equal at the end. Risk factors for worse outcome and the need of intensive care treatment were neutrophilia, lymphopenia, high levels of ferritin and high D‑dimer levels on the day of admission. Age, short duration of symptoms and pre-existing dementia, administration of neuroleptic drugs and antidepressants increased the risk of death.