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A large meta-analysis of studies on the impact of comorbidities on COVID-19 mortality has been published in the journal PLOS ONE. Scientists analyzed the available studies and determined which diseases may worsen the course of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
- Scientists took a closer look at 11 comorbidities and assessed their impact on increasing the risk of death from SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection
- Patients with cardiovascular disease have twice the risk of dying from SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection than patients without this disease
- Some comorbidities do not statistically increase the risk of death in COVID-19 patients
Analysis of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19
In a daily announcement, the Ministry of Health states how many people died on a given day due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. In addition to the number, there is also a message about comorbidities. From the beginning of the pandemic, scientists have been trying to find a correlation between the occurrence of comorbidities and the risk of dying from COVID-19.
A large meta-analysis was published in the PLOS ONE magazine, which covered the research conducted so far on the relationship between deaths due to COVID and comorbidities. In the meta-analysis, the researchers used studies published between December 1, 2019 and July 9, 2020. In total, they analyzed the data of 65 patients described in 484 studies. The mean age of the patients was 25 years, 61%. they were men.
Researchers focused on 11 comorbidities. They considered: cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke), chronic liver disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and HIV / AIDS.
In the course of their analysis, the researchers found that some studies link pre-existing diseases to COVID-19 mortality, while others do not seem to see this link. The differences may result from the limited number of analyzed studies and the heterogeneous methodology. The fact is, however, that the regions with the highest mortality rates, ie the United States, Europe and China, are also the most burdened with comorbidities.
See also: What do we know about the death toll from the coronavirus in Poland?
Risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases
Of the 14 studies reporting an estimated risk of death from COVID-19 related to pre-existing cardiovascular disease, seven reported a statistically significant association. Based on the analyzes, scientists estimated that the risk of dying from COVID-19 is twice as high in patients with cardiovascular disease compared to patients without the disease.
The risk of death was also significantly higher in patients with hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.
Co-morbidities that do not statistically affect the risk of dying from COVID-19
In the case of cerebrovascular disease, the analysis of studies showed that the risk of death from coronavirus infection may be higher, although the result was not statistically significant. In the case of chronic liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and HIV / AIDS, scientists have not found that the risk of death among those with liver disease is higher than in those without these comorbidities.
As the authors of the meta-analysis explain, their research emphasizes the importance of paying attention to populations with specific comorbidities and adjusting the treatment to their needs. An infection prevention and treatment strategy targeting high-risk populations could improve survival rates.
The editorial board recommends:
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- An American study revealed which comorbidities increase the critical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection
- A defective clotting mechanism is responsible for the severity of COVID-19?
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