Association between COVID-19 Mortality and Underlying Disease; Tehran, Iran

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge.
• Understanding the impact of pre-existing conditions on COVID-19 outcomes is crucial for patient management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between COVID-19 mortality and various underlying diseases in Tehran.
• To identify specific comorbidities that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from January 2019 to May 2021.
• Data from hospitals included International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) codes for underlying conditions and patient demographics.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between COVID-19 mortality and underlying diseases.

Main Results:

• Cancer and incurable diseases showed the lowest recovery rates, while pulmonary disease had the longest recovery time.
• Cancer and pulmonary disease were associated with 10.41 and 7.3 hospitalization days, respectively.
• Mortality risk was significantly higher for patients with cancer (4.72 times), respiratory issues (2.75 times), cardiovascular problems (4.081 times), and diabetes (3.162 times) as underlying conditions.

Conclusions:

• Specific underlying health conditions substantially increase the risk of COVID-19 mortality.
• Comorbidities like cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes are critical factors influencing COVID-19 severity and outcomes.
• These findings underscore the importance of managing pre-existing conditions to mitigate COVID-19 mortality.