ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION@#Hypertension was identified by the CDC to be one of underlying medical conditions that might pose an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the effect of hypertension on the morbidity of COVID-19 patients to help physicians in adjusting the management plans for a better prognosis.@*METHODS@#Participants included all COVID-19 patients with hypertension as a pre-existing medical condition. Studies were selected based study design, participants, exposure, outcome, timing, setting and language. MEDLINE and CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key, OVID database, Wiley Online library, and UpToDate were searched. The risk of bias in selection, comparability and outcomes were evaluated. All information gathered were collated and evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and CEBM.@*RESULTS@#There was a statistically significant positive association between mortality and hypertension as a prognostic factor (OR = 5.25, 95% CI 2.42, 11.40; HR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.75, 2.80). Individual studies all showed a significant relationship between hypertension and mortality in COVID-19 patients with OR ranging from 1.75 to 28.88, and HR of 1.49 to 3.32.@*CONCLUSION@#Hypertension as a comorbid condition is a significant prognostic factor in the prediction of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.