Work

Age-related disparities in clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: The exploration of age-related clinical characteristics and prognosis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) has not been extensively addressed in current research. This study aimed to analyze the differences in clinical features and outcomes of SFTS patients across various age groups. METHODS: Patients were assigned to four groups: those aged ≤ 54 years, those aged 55-64 years, those aged 65-74 years, and those aged ≥ 75 years. Then, their clinical data were compared. RESULTS: A total of 253 patients diagnosed with SFTS were retrospectively included. Compared with patients aged < 65 years, patients aged ≥ 65 years had higher serum levels of laboratory parameters indicating liver, kidney, heart, and coagulation system injury, as well as a higher viral load. Moreover, the serum levels of procalcitonin, SAA, ferritin, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were significantly higher, but the percentages and counts of CD3+ and CD3 + CD4 + lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients aged ≥ 65 years than in patients aged < 65 years. The cumulative survival rate of patients aged ≥ 65 years was also significantly lower than that of patients aged < 65 years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified that age ≥ 65 years was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with SFTS. CONCLUSION: Age significantly influences the clinical features and prognosis of patients, and age ≥ 65 years is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with SFTS.

Source: PLoS neglected tropical diseases

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013694