Researchers from across BHP are collaborating to analyse and summarise the latest COVID-19 literature to help inform clinical colleagues. Today’s update focuses on comorbidities – much press coverage has focused on ‘underlying health conditions’ that can make coronavirus more severe or even fatal. But what are these conditions and what are the facts?
RESEARCH UPDATE – 9th APRIL 2020
In summary:
Analysis of 10 studies had shown that, of the ~50,000 #coronavirus patients which the studies looked at:
- 39% had more than one comorbidity (underlying health condition)
- 22% had hypertension
- 21% had cardiovascular disease
- 18% had obesity
- 16% had diabetes
- 9% had cancer
- 8% had cerebrovascular disease (e.g. dementia)
- 7% had a respiratory disease
- 4% had COPD
- 4% had kidney disease
- 1-2% were immunodeficient
One Chinese study of 1,590 coronavirus patients found that, of those who were treated in ICU or passed away as a result of the virus: 33% had one comorbidity (underlying health condition) and 40% had two comorbidities.
Studies have shown that, in #coronavirus patients with cardiovascular disease, higher levels of troponin correlated with higher incidences of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and mortality.
Evidence from mice suggestes that hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can increase the rate at which coronavirus replicates. Patients with diabetes also had a higher mortality rate – 7.3% of this group passed away, compared with 2.3% of those in all studies looked at.The most common risk factors for ICU admission in coronavirus patients are:
- Age – 60+
- Sex – male
- Body type – obesity
- Health conditions – diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease
Of coronavirus patients admitted to ICU:
- 73% were male
- 65% are white, 35% from BAME groups
- Around 37% of admissions were people with obesity
Smoking does not necessarily increase risk of catching COVID19, but smokers have poorer outcomes than non/ex smokers.