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COVID-19 severity: Studying the clinical and demographic risk factors for adverse outcomes
Naila Shoaib1,2, Naila Noureen1,2,3, Rimsha Munir1,4
1Cancer Biology Lab, Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Older age and multiple health conditions like diabetes and hypertension increase the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in Pakistan. These factors are linked to higher PCR positivity and disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Cross-sectional observational study in Pakistan investigating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Focus on identifying clinical and demographic risk factors for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine clinical and demographic risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Analyze associations between comorbidities, age, and disease severity in the Pakistani population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 6331 individuals tested for COVID-19 between May and November 2020.
- Data collection included clinical and demographic information; COVID-19 confirmation via RT-PCR.
- Case definition: positive RT-PCR assay of nasopharyngeal swab specimens.
Main Results:
- 1094 out of 6331 individuals tested positive for COVID-19.
- 5.2% of positive cases experienced severe symptoms; 20.8% had mild symptoms.
- Increased number and type of comorbidities strongly associated with intensified COVID-19 severity, particularly diabetes and hypertension. Older age correlated with PCR positivity and severity.
Conclusions:
- Most COVID-19 cases in the study presented with mild or asymptomatic infections.
- Older age and the presence of multiple comorbidities are significant risk factors for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
- Diabetes and hypertension identified as key comorbidities increasing vulnerability to severe disease.
Background:
The primary goal of the presented cross-sectional observational study was to determine the clinical and demographic risk factors for adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in the Pakistani population.
Methods:
We examined the individuals (n = 6331) that consulted two private diagnostic centers in Lahore, Pakistan, for COVID-19 testing between May 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020. The attending nurse collected clinical and demographic information. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as having a positive result through real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasopharyngeal swab specimens.
Results:
RT-PCR testing was positive in 1094 cases. Out of which, 5.2% had severe, and 20.8% had mild symptoms. We observed a strong association of COVID-19 severity with the number and type of comorbidities. The severity of the disease intensified as the number of comorbidities increased. The most vulnerable groups for the poor outcome are patients with diabetes and hypertension. Increasing age was also associated with PCR positivity and the severity of the disease.
Conclusions:
Most cases of COVID-19 included in this study developed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic. Risk factors for adverse outcomes included older age and the simultaneous presence of comorbidities.
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