A Hospital-Based Study of Factors Associated with COVID-19-Related Deaths in Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly affected mortality in India and public health efforts must focus on preventing the avoidable fatalities during this pandemic. Understanding various clinical characteristics of the deceased patients of COVID-19 along with the estimation of time interval between the onset of symptoms and admission in hospital and various factors associated with COVID-19 related deaths could inform public health interventions focusing on preventing deaths due to COVID-19. Materials and Methods The present study was a retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in Subharti Medical College and Hospital, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. The duration of the study was 21 months. Data of COVID-19 deaths were collected from the Medical Record Department of Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital, Meerut, which is a dedicated Level-3 COVID Hospital. Results Total Deaths due to COVID-19 were 298. Out of 298 deaths, 205 were males and 93 were females. The maximum number of deaths were in May 2021. When the duration of oxygen support was 1 to 5 days in 44.97% of the deceased, less than 1 day were 17.11% and more than 5 days were 17.11. The duration of ventilator support was less than 1 day in 39.26% of the deceased, 1 to 3 days in 39.3%, and more than 3 days in 21.14% of the deceased. The most common symptom associated with COVID-19 deceased was fever with breathlessness both in males and females. The most common co-morbid condition associated with COVID-19 deaths was hypertension with diabetes mellitus both in males and females. Conclusion From the present study, we conclude that the majority of deaths were males. The maximum number of deaths due to COVID-19 was in May 2021, both in males and females. The most common symptom associated was fever with breathlessness and most common comorbid condition associated with deaths of COVID patients were hypertension with diabetes mellitus. The duration of oxygen support was 1 to 5 days in the majority of the patients. The duration of ventilator support was less than 1 day in the majority of patients.