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Anemia and iron deficiency were highly prevalent in internal medicine patients. As anemia negatively impacts on in-hospital mortality, awareness should be raised for effective diagnosis and management of these comorbidities in hospitalized patients.

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Pheochromocytomas are rare tumours originating in chromaffin cells, representing 0.1-1% of all secondary hypertension (HT) cases. The majority are benign and unilateral, characterised by the production of catecholamines and other neuropeptides. Mainly located in the adrenal gland, they are more frequent between the 3rd and 5th decades of life; however, 10-25% can be associated with genetic familial syndromes (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), type 1 neurofibromatosis and Von-Hippel-Landau disease in younger ages. The authors present a rare case of secondary HT due to a pheochromocytoma in a 15-year-old patient, whose metanephrine assay confirmed the diagnosis, and abdominal ultrasound and CT localised the tumour in the adrenal gland. HT was controlled with α and β blockers, with posterior retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgical intervention and subsequent resolution of HT. Age and concomitant hyperparathyroidism compelled genetic testing for the exclusion of MEN 2, which was negative.

Introduction: We aimed to compare clinical features of older age group and young and middle-aged patients with COVID-19 and analyze mortality predictors. Methods: Retrospective analysis of ongoing collection of prespecified data, on a single institution, including patients hospitalized consecutively due to COVID-19 infection, from March to June 2020. Results: Of 195 patients, 56.9% were ⩾65 years (older age group). Older age group had multimorbidity ( p < 0.001). At admission Early Warning Score-2 ( p < 0.001), C-reactive protein, D-dimer, creatinine, anemia and lymphopenia were higher in older age group, as well as median time of hospitalization (14 vs 10 days, p = 0.004). Complications were more common in older age group, but there were no significant differences in admission to intensive care. There were 18 deaths, 16 in older age group. Modified Early Warning Score at admission (odds ratio = 1.60, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.37, p = 0.021) and C-reactive protein >5 mg/dL (odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–26.26, p = 0.034) were independent predictors of inhospital mortality in older age group but not in young and middle-aged. Conclusion: Older age group was at higher risk for complications and inhospital mortality. Identification of specific scores of severity for this population is essential to ensure that best care is provided.