Association between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Severity of COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Centre of Pune City, Maharashtra

Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2, spreading across every continent in world. The risk of developing severe COVID-19 with underlying disorder like COPD might be higher as compared to patients with no comorbidity. This study was undertaken to assess the association between COPD and severity of COVID-19. Material & Methods: This was a hospital-based cohort study conducted between July to December, 2020. Study subjects were confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to this tertiary care centre and all patients were followed up to final outcome as discharge or death. Depending upon the history of COPD total 113 COVID-19 patients with COPD (exposed) and 339 COVID-19 patients without history of COPD (unexposed) were included in analysis. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression analysis, and adjusted odd’s ratio with 95% CI were calculated. Results: Age >60 years (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.12–3.30) and breathlessness (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.21–4.85) were independent risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 patients. In addition to this, other co-morbidities were associated with mechanical ventilation. On multivariable analyses, COPD was not significantly associated with mortality in COVID-19 (OR 0.93;95% CI 0.15–1.58). Conclusion: Underlying COPD was not an independent risk factor for poor outcome in COVID-19 patients. Copyright (c) 2022: Author(s).

Secondary attack rate among the contacts of COVID-19 patients at the beginning of the pandemic in Pune city of Western Maharashtra, India

Introduction: The COVID-19 was the emerging disease caused by SARS-COV 2. Efficient transmission of this disease occurs through droplets and fomites. As COVID-19 has high transmission and hence susceptible household & non-household close contacts are at high risk of developing disease. Study Objectives: 1) To estimate secondary attack rate of COVID-19 among the contacts during the pandemic in Pune city;2) To identify factors associated with transmission and development of COVID-19 disease. Material & Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the month of June 2020. The sample includes 741 contacts of 119 Laboratory confirmed cases for COVID-19, resides in 15 ward offices areas of Pune Municipal Corporation after written informed consent. A confidential telephonic interview was taken by using a prestructured questionnaire which includes socio demographic data, duration of stay, family background, outcome, type of house, development of symptoms etc. Results: The overall Secondary Attack Rate estimated to be 32.5%, 33.7% among the high risk contacts while 13.3% among the low risk contacts. In this city, 6 wards (40%) out of 15 wards showed SAR of more than 40%. The characteristics of primary cases associated with spread of disease were presence of symptoms and duration between onset of disease and isolation of primary case. The factors significantly affecting SAR were age, comorbidity, no. of family members, type of family, type of house, overcrowding, no. of rooms, bedroom attached with toilet, type of contact & containment zone. Conclusion: Higher SAR was seen in the household contacts. It is necessary to adopt rigorous measures to cut the transmission chain in this area of close contact. Copyright (c) 2021: Author(s).