Evaluating the Factors Affecting COVID-19 Patients' Mortality in Arak in 2020

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant global health crisis.
• Investigating the multifactorial causes and risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the diverse causes and risk factors contributing to death in COVID-19 patients.
• To differentiate between factors associated with mortality versus recovery in a cohort of patients.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study was conducted between deceased (n=98) and recovered (n=196) COVID-19 patients.
• Data collection spanned from June to October 2020, focusing on risk factors, comorbidities, and laboratory findings.

Main Results:

• Significant associations with mortality were observed for factors including elevated blood pressure, advanced age, low oxygen saturation, tachycardia, tachypnea, delayed hospitalization, and comorbidities (diabetes, lung, cardiovascular disease).
• Specific laboratory markers like elevated C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, creatinine, liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, D-dimer, and troponin were linked to increased mortality.
• Complications such as arrhythmia, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute kidney injury (AKI), alongside intensive care unit (ICU) admission and specific therapeutic interventions, also showed significant relationships with patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 mortality is influenced by a complex interplay of patient demographics, underlying health conditions, and disease-related complications.
• Identifying and managing risk factors and preventing complications like arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and AKI are vital strategies for reducing COVID-19 related deaths.