Report of 5146 Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Mortality From Cook County, Illinois Causes of Death, Demographics, and Comorbidities

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2023 Dec 1;44(4):285-292. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000879. Epub 2023 Aug 29.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study used 5216 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2)-related mortality cases in Cook County of Illinois. The data set included each case's demographic data, manner of death, and comorbidities. The age ranged from 0 to 108 years, with a median of 73.5 years. There were few mortality cases in the age group younger than 30 years, and the incidence of fatal infection increased with age. We demonstrated an increased incidence of mortality in males compared with females (P < 0.01). The urban population had a higher incidence of fatal infection than the suburban population (P < 0.01). We found a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the incidence of fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection in African American males compared with background frequencies. Latino population demonstrated younger ages at death compared with the non-Latino population. Obesity and hypertension significantly predict fatal outcomes in the younger age group. In comparison, dementia and hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease are significant predictive factors in the older age group. In a large data set, we demonstrated that the demographical distribution of the population and comorbidities is associated with the risk of fatal complications and death.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19*
  • Cause of Death
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illinois / epidemiology
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult