Prevalence and impact of comorbidities on disease prognosis among patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A nationwide study amid the second wave

15, May 2021 |

Authors:

Abstract

Background: Socio-demographics and comorbidities are involved in determining the severity and fatality in patients with COVID-19 suggested by studies in various countries, but study in Bangladesh is insufficient. Aims: We designed the study to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and comorbidities with the prognosis of adverse health outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Methods: A multivariate retrospective cohort study was conducted on data from 966 RT-PCR positive patients from eight divisions during December 13, 2020, to February 13, 2021. Variables included soci- odemographic, comorbidities, symptoms, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and access to health facil- ities. Major outcome was fatality. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, requirement of mechanical ventilation and severity. Results: Male (65.8%, 636 of 966) was predominant and mean age was 39.8 ± 12.6 years. Fever (79%), dry cough (55%), and loss of test/smell (51%) were frequent and 74% patients had >3 symptoms. Fatality was recorded in 10.5% patients. Comorbidities were found in 44% patients. Hypertension (21.5%) diabetes (14.6%), and cardiovascular diseases (11.3%) were most prevalent. Age >60 years (OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 2.45 e6.49), and CCI >3 (OR: 5.48, 95% CI: 3.95e7.24) were predictors of hospitalizations. CCI >4 (aOR: 3.41, 95% CI: 2.57e6.09) was predictor of severity. Age >60 years (aOR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.07e6.34), >3 symptoms (aOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 0.97e4.91) and CCI >3 vs. CCI <3 (aOR: 5.23, 95% CI: 3.77e8.09) were independently associated with fatality. Conclusions: Increased age, >3 symptoms, increasing comorbidities, higher CCI were associated with increased hospitalization, severity and fatality in patients with COVID-19.