Abstract
BACKGROUND: The fatality rate of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), due to hantavirus transmitted by rodents, ranges from 1% to 12%. This study aims to delineate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HFRS, identify factors associated with disease severity, and construct and validate a nomogram for prognosis prediction of HFRS in the central part of China. METHODS: Out of 598 HFRS patients diagnosed via serology tests from four hospitals in Hubei Province, 551 were included. Clinical data were gathered and analyzed, followed by logistic univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed and validated to forecast the patient's prognosis. RESULTS: Vaccination led to a notable drop in HFRS incidence from 2018 to 2019, and seasonal trends exhibited bimodal changes with peaks from May to July and November to January. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.17% (23/551). Red blood cell count (RBC), age, two-stage overlap, qSOFA ≥ 2, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and three-stage overlap were identified as independent prognostic factors. A predictive risk classification system using a nomogram chart was developed, and Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that the new system accurately distinguished 30-day mortality among the three risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk score (EASTAR) system demonstrated good predictive performance for prognostic prediction, and it can be applied to quickly screen patients who require ICU admission.