10-10-2020
Covid-19

In a major study on Covid-19 patients, researchers have confirmed that cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, stroke and cancer can increase a patient�s risk of dying from the virus. The findings may help public health officials improve patient care and develop interventions that can target these high-risk populations.

The researchers found that cardiovascular disease may double a patient�s risk of dying from Covid-19. They also discovered that other pre-existing conditions may increase a Covid-19 patient�s risk of death by one-and-a-half to three times. This study suggests that these chronic conditions are not just common in patients with Covid-19, but their presence is a warning sign to a higher risk of death,� said study author Paddy Ssentongo from the Penn State University in the US.

The research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to determine which chronic conditions put hospitalized patients at risk of dying from Covid-19. They explored 11 co-existing conditions that pose a risk of severe disease and death among Covid-19 patients, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic liver disease and HIV/AIDS.

Researchers determined that patients with diabetes and cancer are 1.5 times more likely to die, patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and congestive heart failure are twice as likely to die, and patients with chronic kidney disease are three times more likely to die. The researchers said that prior studies exploring the association of pre-existing chronic conditions and Covid-19 mortality had limitations in the number of countries included.

Even though additional research is needed to fully understand health risks and implications, the authors said that these findings can help inform global prevention and treatment strategies.