COVID-19 Comorbidity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) General Reference Hospital (HGR), Niamey, Niger

Mahamane Sani Mahamane Aminou,Moussa Salia Amadou,Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara,Tambwe Didier,Talisuna Ambrose,Brah Souleymane,Ngozi Idemili-Aronu,Salifou Alkassoum Ibrahim,Migitaba Hassane Moctar,Okeibunor Joseph Chukwudi,Oumara Maman,Anya Blanche,Dangou Jean-Marie,Sani Rabiou,Emoud Tcholi Idrissa,Batouré Oumarou ,A Gaucher Eric ,Igweonu Obianuju ,Ocquet Sakina ,Foumakoye Gado Adamou

doi:10.29245/2689-9981/2021/1.1165

Abstract

The COVID-19 infection has highlighted the most vulnerable patients. Indeed, COVID-19 patients suffering from another pathology including NCDs such as Arterial Hypertension (Hypertension), diabetes, cancers and respiratory diseases are paying a heavy price for this pandemic. We undertook a study in Niger to better document this comorbidity in a cross-sectional study that brought together patients hospitalized at the Niamey General Reference Hospital for COVID-19 infection and suffering from one or more NCDs. Among 273 patients hospitalized from March 19 to June 03, 2020, 34.8% had a non-communicable disease associated with COVID-19. The average age of the patients was 55 years (22 years to 94 years) and the sex ratio was 2.64 (72.5 % men and 27.5% women). Hypertension was the most represented NCD with 24.5%, followed by diabetes in 17.9% of cases, respiratory diseases 3.66% and other diseases (Heart disease, Obesity, Dyslipidemia, Gout, Chronic renal failure) with 3%. Health workers were the most affected by the disease with 38.6% of cases. The average consultation time was 3.77 days with extremes ranging from 1 to 8 days. The clinical symptoms characterizing the two main groups of patients (hypertensive and diabetic) were almost identical. It consisted mainly of cough, fever, chills, sore throat and rhinorrhea. According to the WHO clinical criteria for the severity of COVID-19, 34 patients or 16.11% were severe and 177 patients or 83% moderate. The clinical severity of the disease is significantly correlated with the patient's age (over 50 years) and the presence of an NCD associated with COVID-19. A total of 35.8% were hospitalized in intensive care in the NCD and COVID-19 group and 14.6% in the NCD group (p <0.001). The average length of patient hospitalization was 6.87 days overall, it was 7 days in intensive care. In 61.7% of cases the length of hospitalization was greater than 4 days. There was 22.1% in the NCD group and 7.3% in the just COVID-19 group (p <0.001). A total of 90.6% of registered deaths occurred in intensive care.

Highlights

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging diseases that pose a major threat to the world’s population, especially in developing countries[1]
The impact of COVID-19 on NCD management has recently constituted a major source of concerns, among public health managers globally
In Niger there is no data on the extent of NCDs before and during the outbreak of COVID-19

Summary

Introduction

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging diseases that pose a major threat to the world’s population, especially in developing countries[1]. Persons with existing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more vulnerable to health risks due to emergencies and disasters than their counterparts free of any noncommunicable diseases[3,4]. Those with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and diabetes have higher vulnerability to disaster induced disruption and stress and significant proportion of mortality in post-disaster phases results from the failure of health care services to cater to the needs of patients with chronic diseases[5]. Other studies have showed the increased risk of this association

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