Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.7K

Effect of Underlying Comorbidities on the Infection and Severity of COVID-19 in Korea: a Nationwide Case-Control

Wonjun Ji1, Kyungmin Huh2, Minsun Kang3

  • 1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|June 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Certain comorbidities like diabetes and schizophrenia increase COVID-19 risk. These conditions, along with hypertension and chronic renal failure, are also linked to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presents a global health challenge.
  • Understanding the impact of pre-existing conditions on COVID-19 risk and severity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between various comorbidities and the likelihood of contracting COVID-19.
  • To determine which comorbidities are linked to increased severity of COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide retrospective case-control study involving 219,961 adults was conducted.
  • COVID-19 diagnosis and severity (based on respiratory support) were identified from medical reimbursement data.
  • Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios, adjusting for demographic and healthcare utilization factors.

Main Results:

  • Diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, substance use, and schizophrenia were significantly associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 infection.
  • Diabetes, hypertension, chronic lower respiratory disease, and chronic renal failure (including end-stage renal disease) were associated with increased COVID-19 severity.

Conclusions:

  • Several comorbidities are confirmed to be associated with both COVID-19 infection and its severity.
  • Healthcare providers should exercise heightened vigilance when managing COVID-19 patients with identified comorbidities.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19ComorbidityRisk FactorSARS-CoV-2Severity

More Related Videos

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

2.9K
Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index06:55

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index

Published on: January 8, 2020

15.0K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.9K
Confounding in Epidemiological Studies01:27

Confounding in Epidemiological Studies

Confounding in statistical epidemiology represents a pivotal challenge, referring to the distortion in the perceived relationship between an exposure and an outcome due to the presence of a third variable, known as a confounder. This variable is associated with both the exposure and the outcome but is not a direct link in their causal chain. Its presence can lead to erroneous interpretations of the exposure's effect, either exaggerating or underestimating the true association. This...
478
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
1.1K
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
1.7K
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
2.3K