Medical comorbidities as predictors of COVID-19 short-term mortality: A historical cohort study in Indonesia

Tzu Chi Med J. 2022 Sep 23;35(1):53-57. doi: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_144_22. eCollection 2023 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relation of comorbidities to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) short-term mortality.

Materials and methods: This was a single-center observational study with a historical cohort method at Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia. COVID-19 diagnosis was made using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swabs. Patient data were obtained from digital medical records and used for Charlson Comorbidity Index assessments. Inhospital mortality was monitored throughout their hospital stay.

Results: This study enrolled 333 patients. According to the total number of comorbidities in Charlson, 11.7% (n = 39) of patients had no comorbidities; 30.9% (n = 103) of patients had one comorbidity; 20.1% (n = 67) of patients had two comorbidities; and 37.2% (n = 124) of patients had more than three comorbidities. In multivariate analysis, these variables were significantly related to short-term mortality in COVID-19 patients: older age (odds ratio [OR] per year: 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.19; P 0.001), myocardial infarction (OR: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.49-8.56; P: 0.004), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.41; 95 CI: 1.17-4.97; P: 0.017), renal disease (OR: 5.18; 95% CI: 2.07-12.97; P < 0.001), and longer duration of stay (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.08-1.32; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study revealed multiple short-term mortality predictors in COVID-19 patients. The coexistence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and renal problem is a significant predictor of short-term mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Coronavirus disease 2019; Mortality; Predictor; Prognosis.