Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Global Epidemiological Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Research

Background:

• Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies warned of increased risks for individuals with underlying conditions, often prevalent in older adults or specific ethnic groups.
• These warnings were issued before comprehensive global fatality data for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) became available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To statistically investigate the correlation between COVID-19 fatalities and potential comorbidities on a global, nation-by-nation basis.
• To examine the statistical, rather than physiological, basis for early pandemic warnings regarding SARS-CoV-2 risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of statistical data from 99 countries with the highest SARS-CoV-2 infection numbers.
• Utilized national fatality rates for serious diseases as a proxy for population susceptibility, given the lack of direct immune system strength data.

Main Results:

• Identified correlations between COVID-19 case fatality rates and potential risk factors, with age being a significant factor.
• Correlations between comorbidities (e.g., chronic kidney disease, coronary disease) and COVID-19 severity were weaker than those observed for influenza and associated pneumonias.
• Strongest correlations for comorbidities were with chronic kidney disease (approx. 0.28) and coronary disease (approx. 0.20).

Conclusions:

• The study confirms that individuals over 65 years old face a higher risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Findings do not support early pandemic suggestions that common comorbidities significantly increase COVID-19 risks compared to age.