Variables associated with COVID-19 severity: an observational study of non-paediatric confirmed cases from the general population of the Basque Country, Spain.
BMJ Open
; 11(4): e049066, 2021 04 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1166515
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate which were the most relevant sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with COVID-19 severity, and uncover how their inter-relations may have affected such severity.DESIGN:
A retrospective observational study based on electronic health record data.PARTICIPANTS:
Individuals ≥14 years old with a positive PCR or serology test, between 28 February and 31 May 2020, belonging to the Basque Country (Spain) public health system. Institutionalised and individuals admitted to a hospital at home unit were excluded from the study. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURE:
Three severity categories were established primary care, hospital/intensive care unit admission and death.RESULTS:
A total of n=14 197 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most variables presented statistically significant associations with the outcome (p<0.0001). The Classification and Regression Trees recursive partitioning methodology (based on n=13 792) suggested that among all associations, those with, age, sex, stratification of patient healthcare complexity, chronic consumption of blood and blood-forming organ, and nervous system drugs, as well as the total number of chronic Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical types were the most relevant. Psychosis also emerged as a potential factor.CONCLUSIONS:
Older cases are more likely to experience more severe outcomes. However, the sex, underlying health status and chronic drug consumption may interfere and alter the ageing effect. Understanding the factors related to the outcome severity is of key importance when designing and promoting public health intervention plans for the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Open
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjopen-2021-049066
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