Association of ABO blood group and age with COVID-19 positive test

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation between the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) and blood groups and the Rh factor. METHOD: A total of 313 patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine clinic, at the intensive care unit (ICU) were included in the study. The cases were divided into two groups those who were COVID-19 positive and those negative, detected with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. The demographic, clinical, ABO blood groups, and Rh factor data of the cases were obtained from the hospital records retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of COVID-19 positive (+) cases was 57.74±16 years and of COVID-19 negative (-) cases, 66.41±15 years. The difference was significant (p<0.001); there was no difference between the two groups in terms of sex (p=0.634). When age was categorically separated in COVID-19 (+) cases, χ2 was extremely significant. Among the ABO blood groups of COVID-19 (+) and (-) cases, χ2 was 4.975 (p=0.174). In the logistic regression, it was 4.1 (p=0.011) in the O blood group. COVID-19 positive test was determined as 13, 4, and 4 times higher in the 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 age groups, respectively (p=0.001, p=0.010, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The incidence of COVID-19 has increased in the younger population and in the O blood group. Our findings support that, in this population, the ABO blood groups can contribute to the early detection of COVID-19.