Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, Much Discussed in Children, Is Also Killing Adults

Though multisystem inflammatory syndrome has been more associated with COVID-19 infection in children (hence, MIS-C), a newly published study delves into the most common characteristics—and risks—of MIS in adults. Urgent care clinicians should be aware that the study indicates that MIS-A presents roughly 4 weeks after acute COVID-19, with hyperinflammation and extrapulmonary multiorgan involvement that the researchers found “difficult to discern from acute biphasic COVID-19 and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.” Of the 221 patients with MIS-A studied, more than half (58%) had no underlying comorbidities. Most (96%) presented with fever, hypotension (60%), cardiac dysfunction (54%), shortness of breath (52%), and/or diarrhea (52%). More than half (57%) also required ICU admission, and 15 died, equating to a fatality rate of 7%. JUCM published an article on MIS-C relatively early on. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (Mis-C): Who Should Not Be Misc’ed? is available in our archive.