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Dementia as Risk Factor for Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case-Control Study
Mariantonietta Pisaturo1, Federica Calò1, Antonio Russo1
1Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|July 16, 2021
Summary
Patients with dementia face higher risks from COVID-19, experiencing more severe disease and increased mortality. This study highlights their vulnerability during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Investigating the outcomes of patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and dementia.
- Assessing the impact of dementia on COVID-19 disease progression and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical outcomes of dementia patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To compare the severity and mortality rates of COVID-19 in patients with and without dementia.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, observational, matched case-control study involving 23 dementia patients (Cases) and 46 controls without dementia.
- Patients were matched for age, sex, P/F ratio, and number of comorbidities. Data collected from February 2020 to January 2021.
Main Results:
- Dementia patients (Cases) presented with less moderate COVID-19 disease (35% vs 67.4%) but more severe disease (48% vs 22%) compared to controls.
- Mortality rates were significantly higher in the dementia group (48% vs 22%, p=0.03).
- Delirium occurred more frequently in Cases (60.8%) than Controls (2.1%, p < 0.000).
Conclusions:
- Dementia patients are a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Infection with SARS-CoV-2 significantly increases the risk of severe disease, death, and delirium in individuals with dementia.
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