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[Evolution and prognostic factors associated with mortality in older adults hospitalized for COVID-19]
Cecilia Carvacho, Nadia Vargas Donoso, René Medina1
1Servicio de Kinesiología, Clínica San Carlos, Red de Salud UC-Christus, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
In older adults hospitalized with COVID-19, arterial hypertension and prior institutionalization were key predictors of mortality. These factors are crucial for understanding severe outcomes in elderly patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- COVID-19 disproportionately affects older adults, leading to higher mortality rates.
- Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are prevalent in this demographic.
- Understanding prognostic factors is vital for managing hospitalized elderly patients.
Purpose:
- To detail clinical characteristics, disease progression, and mortality predictors in elderly COVID-19 patients.
- To identify specific risk factors contributing to in-hospital death among older individuals with SARS-CoV-2.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 128 elderly patients (mean age 73) with COVID-19 was conducted.
- Arterial hypertension (66%) and diabetes (34%) were common comorbidities.
- In-hospital mortality was 26.6%, with arterial hypertension and previous institutionalization identified as significant predictors of death.
Impact:
- Identifies critical prognostic factors for mortality in elderly COVID-19 patients.
- Informs clinical management strategies for high-risk elderly individuals.
- Highlights the importance of considering comorbidities and institutionalization status in SARS-CoV-2 patient care.
Background:
SARS-CoV-2 affects all age groups, but higher mortality rates are recorded in older people, men and with comorbidities, mainly hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
Aim:
To describe the main clinical characteristics, evolution and prognostic factors for death in older patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective analysis of 128 patients aged 73 years, 66% men, hospitalized at a clinical hospital, with a diagnosis of COVID-19, admitted from May 1 to August 1, 2020. Data were collected from the clinical records, a description of the study population was made, and a univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed.
Results:
Seventy-two percent of patients had two or more comorbidities, mainly arterial hypertension in 66%, diabetes mellitus in 34% and cardiovascular disease in 19%. Forty-one percent were admitted to intensive care and 31% were connected to mechanical ventilation. In-hospital mortality was 26.6%. A multivariate analysis was performed in two blocks, finding in the first that arterial hypertension and older age significantly predict mortality. However, when previous institutionalization and immuno-suppression were included as variables in the second block, age ceased to be a significant predictor.
Conclusions:
Prognostic factors associated with death in this age group are arterial hypertension and previous institutionalization.
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