In:
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 75, No. 9 ( 2020-09-16), p. 1796-1800
Abstract:
Aim of the present study is to describe characteristics of COVID-19-related deaths and to compare the clinical phenotype and course of COVID-19-related deaths occurring in adults ( & lt;65 years) and older adults (≥65 years). Method Medical charts of 3,032 patients dying with COVID-19 in Italy (368 aged & lt; 65 years and 2,664 aged ≥65 years) were revised to extract information on demographics, preexisting comorbidities, and in-hospital complications leading to death. Results Older adults (≥65 years) presented with a higher number of comorbidities compared to those aged & lt;65 years (3.3 ± 1.9 vs 2.5 ± 1.8, p & lt; .001). Prevalence of ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, dementia, COPD, and chronic renal failure was higher in older patients (≥65 years), while obesity, chronic liver disease, and HIV infection were more common in younger adults ( & lt;65 years); 10.9% of younger patients ( & lt;65 years) had no comorbidities, compared to 3.2% of older patients (≥65 years). The younger adults had a higher rate of non-respiratory complications than older patients, including acute renal failure (30.0% vs 20.6%), acute cardiac injury (13.5% vs 10.3%), and superinfections (30.9% vs 9.8%). Conclusions Individuals dying with COVID-19 present with high levels of comorbidities, irrespective of age group, but a small proportion of deaths occur in healthy adults with no preexisting conditions. Non-respiratory complications are common, suggesting that the treatment of respiratory conditions needs to be combined with strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of non-respiratory complications.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1079-5006
,
1758-535X
DOI:
10.1093/gerona/glaa146
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2043927-1
SSG:
12
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