COVID-19 and aging: Identifying measures of severity

We aimed to compare clinical features of older age group and young and middle-aged patients with COVID-19 and analyze mortality predictors.

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.

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.

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.