Pre-existing conditions in Hispanics/Latinxs that are COVID-19 risk factors

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected minority populations, including Hispanics/Latinxs (HL).
• Previous research on HL COVID-19 risk factors primarily used aggregate county-level data, limiting individual-level insights.
• Understanding specific risk factors within the HL population is crucial for addressing health care disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate individual-level COVID-19 risk factors among Hispanics/Latinxs (HL).
• To compare COVID-19 risk factors in HL with Non-Hispanic/Latinx whites (NHL-W).
• To identify potential specific risk factors for HL COVID-19 severity and hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of electronic health records from a Los Angeles health system (March 9, 2020 – August 31, 2020).
• Inclusion of 9,287 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2, with 562 testing positive.
• Comparison of risk factors, laboratory values, and hospitalization rates between HL and NHL-W groups.

Main Results:

• Hispanics/Latinxs (HL) represented an increasing proportion of COVID-19 cases as disease severity escalated.
• Risk factors such as renal disease were significant for both HL and Non-Hispanic/Latinx whites (NHL-W).
• Nonrheumatic mitral valve disorder emerged as a specific risk factor for HL COVID-19 hospitalization, distinct from NHL-W COVID-19 or HL influenza.
• HL patients exhibited a more pronounced inflammatory response upon admission.

Conclusions:

• Individual-level data reveal specific COVID-19 risk factors and presentation patterns in the Hispanic/Latinx (HL) population.
• Pre-existing nonrheumatic mitral valve disorder may be a unique vulnerability for HL hospitalization due to COVID-19.
• Findings underscore the need for tailored public health policies and targeted interventions to mitigate COVID-19 disparities in minority groups.