ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Older adults from racial and ethnic minority groups are at higher risk for worse outcomes with COVID-19. This study sought to characterize the symptomatology of COVID-19 and the association of symptoms with all-cause in-hospital mortality and respiratory failure in a cohort of older, predominantly African American adults admitted to a tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all hospitalized patients 65 and older with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test was conducted in a 953-bed academic, urban hospital. Measurements included demographics, symptoms, laboratory findings, and outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was respiratory failure. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients with a mean age of 76.4 years were studied. Fifty-six percent were men and 90% were African American. Of these, 108 patients presented with typical symptoms, among whom 89.8% had co-existing geriatric syndromes. Only 10.2% presented with typical symptoms alone. The most common typical symptoms were fever (57%), shortness of breath (SOB) (51.2%), and cough (48.8%). Atypical symptoms were present in 68 (51%) patients, of whom 83.8% had co-existing typical symptoms and 76.5% had co-existing geriatric syndromes. Only 17.2% of patients presented with atypical symptoms alone. Atypical symptoms identified were anorexia (43%), dizziness (12.4%), and syncope (7.4%). Geriatric syndromes were identified in 102 (76%) patients, including altered mental status (71.1%), weakness (26.4%), and falls (24.8%). Respiratory failure occurred in 65.8% of patients, with 35.4% requiring ventilators while 22.3% of patients died. Age, male gender, SOB, sepsis, and certain laboratory values were associated with outcomes. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized older adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 may present with a range of symptoms encompassing typical, atypical, and geriatric syndromes. Early testing for COVID-19 should be considered in hospitalized older adults.