Demographic & blood group characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19: Experience of private hospital

ABSTRACT

Aims & Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been rapidly increasing around the world and has already been declared pandemic by the WHO. First case in Chhattisgarh was reported in Mid- March'20. Since then the number is increasing at an alarming rate. Though majority of the cases are mild-moderate who are managed by home isolation and conservative management;patients having severe disease require hospital admission, with several requiring intensive care. Initially, majority admissions were handled by governmenthospitals, but with increasing burden the private-hospitals were also roped in. We studied the demographic and blood grouping profile of hospitalized Covid-19 patients and relation with mortality. Patients/Materials & Methods: We studied 6-months data (April- September'20) of a private-hospital in Chhattisgarh involved in management of Covid-19 patients. Demographic and blood group data maintained in the Laboratory Medicine department of hospital was analyzed. This was correlated with mortality in these patients. Results: Within 6-months, total 403 patients were hospitalized with 72% males and rest females. Most were in age-group of 41-60 years (49%), followed by ≥ 61 years (33%). B + ve (38%) was commonest blood group followed by O + ve, A + ve, AB + ve. Out of 403, 34 patients (8.4%) died, where 70% were males, mostly ≥ 61 years. Blood group of those who died was B + ve (41%), followed by O + ve (29%), A + ve (20%), AB + ve (5%) and 1 death in B-ve. However, the calculated relative risk showed B + ve (RR = 1, 95%CI), O + ve (RR = 0.9, 95%CI), A + ve (RR = 0.9, 95%CI), showing no increased risk of mortality in association with particular blood group. Discussion & Conclusion: Several western studies suggest that Covid-19 infection is commonly associated with blood group A. However, no studies were found in India. Our findings show B + ve to be most common, with no significant risk of increased mortality among particular blood group. This difference can be due to genetic, immunological variations and individual susceptibility for infection from western population. However, as we studied limited data, the generalization of these findings should be avoided. The preventive measures like hand hygiene, face masks, social distancing norms should be followed irrespective of your blood type.