Age, Multiple Chronic Conditions, and COVID-19: A Literature Review. Issue 4 (24th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tisminetzky, Mayra; Delude, Christopher; Hebert, Tara; Carr, Catherine; Goldberg, Robert J; Gurwitz, Jerry H
• Editors: Newman, Anne B
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 77:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 872
• Page End: 878
• Publication Date: 2020-12-24
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Epidemiology -- Multimorbidity; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glaa320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5006

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Various patient demographic and clinical characteristics have been associated with poor outcomes for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To describe the importance of age and chronic conditions in predicting COVID-19-related outcomes. Methods: Search strategies were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE. Daily alerts were created. Results: A total of 28 studies met our inclusion criteria. Studies varied broadly in sample size ( n = 21 to more than 17, 000, 000). Participants' mean age ranged from 48 years to 80 years, and the proportion of male participants ranged from 44% to 82%. The most prevalent underlying conditions in patients with COVID-19 were hypertension (range: 15%–69%), diabetes (8%–40%), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (4%–61%), chronic pulmonary disease (1%–33%), and chronic kidney disease (range 1%–48%). These conditions were each associated with an increased in-hospital case fatality rate (CFR) ranging from 1% to 56%. Overall, older adults have a substantially higher case fatality rate (CFR) as compared to younger individuals affected by COVID-19 (42% for those <65 vs 65% > 65 years). Only one study examined the association of chronic conditions and the risk of dying across different age groups; their findings suggested similar trends of increased risk in those < 65 years and those > 65 years as compared to those without these conditions. Conclusions: There has been a traditional, single-condition approach to consideration of how chronic conditions and advancing age relate to COVID-19 outcomes. A more complete picture of the impact of burden of multimorbidity and advancing patient age is needed.