EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 REINFECTION IN PATIENTS TREATED IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE REGION.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the challenge of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, particularly with the emergence of new variants. This study aimed to identify epidemiological and clinical factors associated with COVID-19 reinfection in patients treated in the Cusco Region of Peru during 2022, a high-altitude area with unique demographic and geographic characteristics.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, case-control study was conducted, analyzing 216 patients (108 reinfection cases and 108 primary infection controls). Data were collected from clinical records and analyzed using statistical methods, including chi-square tests and multivariate regression. The study focused on demographic, epidemiological, and clinical factors, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Males had a 1.51 times higher risk of reinfection compared to females (p<0.05). Patients from regions outside Cusco had a 16.03 times higher risk of reinfection than local residents (p<0.05). No significant associations were found between reinfection and clinical factors such as symptoms or comorbidities. The overall reinfection rate was 0.97%, consistent with global trends.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that high altitude may confer protective effects against reinfection, potentially due to physiological adaptations to hypoxia. Males and individuals with interregional mobility were identified as high-risk groups. These results highlight the need for tailored public health strategies in high-altitude regions, focusing on surveillance and prevention for vulnerable populations. Further research is recommended to explore the biological mechanisms underlying these findings and to assess the impact of emerging viral variants on reinfection dynamics.