Ageing, Comorbidity and Frailty-Synergistic Risk Factors for Covid-19 Adverse Outcomes

Abstract

With life-expectancy rising globally, the prevalence of ageing, comorbidity and frailty is likely to increase especially in the low and middle income countries. The emergence of the new COVID-19 pandemic has been concentrated in this group of patients and has led to worse outcomes compared to younger and less comorbid populations. This group of patients is at an increased risk of multi-organ consequences of systemic disease. Therefore, systemic assessment of these patients from the outset and optimisation of their pre-existing conditions in addition to the treatment of COVID-19, is required to reduce the risk of multi-organ failure. Decisions regarding escalation of treatment should include frailty assessment along with the overall comorbid condition and function. The expected projection of the ageing population will mean the population is increasingly at risk, locally and globally, of managing a new pandemic, in particular in those low and middle income countries with less access to healthcare resources. Therefore, WHO and governments around the world must consider this potential threat in future health care planning.