Demographics, comorbidities and outcomes in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural southwest Georgia

Date

2020

Authors

Shah, Priyank
Owens, Jack
Franklin, James
Mehta, Akshat
Heymann, William
Sewell, William
Hill, Jennifer
Barfield, Krista
Doshi, Rajkumar

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Online

Abstract

Background: There is limited data on outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in rural United States (US). This study aimed to describe the demographics, and outcomes of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural Southwest Georgia. Methods: Using electronic medical records, we analyzed data from all hospitalized Covid-19 patients who either died or survived to discharge between 2 March 2020 and 6 May 2020. Results: Of the 522 patients, 92 died in hospital (17.6%). Median age was 63 years, 58% were females, and 87% African-Americans. Hypertension (79.7%), obesity (66.5%) and diabetes mellitus (42.3%) were the most common comorbidities. Males had higher overall mortality compared to females (23 v 13.8%). Immunosuppression [odds ratio (OR) 3.6; (confidence interval (CI): 1.52–8.47, p=.003)], hypertension (OR 3.36; CI:1.3–8.6, p=.01), age ≥65 years (OR 3.1; CI:1.7–5.6, p<.001) and morbid obesity (OR 2.29; CI:1.11–4.69, p=.02), were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Female gender was an independent predictor of decreased in-hospital mortality. Mortality in intubated patients was 67%. Mortality was 8.9% in <50 years, compared to 20% in ≥50 years. Conclusions: Immunosuppression, hypertension, age ≥ 65 years and morbid obesity were independent predictors of mortality, whereas female gender was protective for mortality in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural Southwest Georgia.KEY MESSAGES Patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in rural US have higher comorbidity burden. Immunosuppression, hypertension, age ≥ 65 years and morbid obesity are independent predictors of increased mortality. Female gender is an independent predictor of reduced mortality.

Description

Keywords

Covid-19, baseline characteristics, demographics, outcomes, rural US

Citation

Shah, P., Owens, J., Franklin, J., Mehta, A., Heymann, W., Sewell, W., Hill, J., Barfield, K., & Doshi, R. (2020). Demographics, comorbidities and outcomes in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural southwest Georgia. Annals of Medicine, 354-360. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2020.1791356

DOI