Factors associated with death in COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Abstract

Introductionthe objectives of the present study were to determine the mortality rate in patients over 60 years of age with COVID-19 and to identify risk factors.Methodsthe present historical cohort study took place at the Kinshasa University Hospital (KUH), DRC. Older patients admitted from March 2020 to May 2021 and diagnosed COVID-19 positive at the laboratory were selected. The relationship between clinical and biological risk factors, treatment, and in-hospital mortality was modeled using Cox regression.Resultsof two hundred and twenty-two patients at least 60 years old, 97 died, for a mortality rate of 43.69%. The median age was 70 years (64-74) with extremes of 60 to 88 years. Low oxygen saturation of < 90% (aHR 1.69; 95% CI [1.03-2.77]; p=0.038) was an independent predictor of mortality. The risk of death was reduced with corticosteroid use (aHR 0.54; 95% CI [0.40-0.75]; p=0.01) and anticoagulant treatment (aHR 0.53; 95% CI [0.38-0.73]; p=0.01).Conclusionmortality was high in seniors during COVID-19 and low oxygen saturation on admission was a risk factor for mortality. Corticosteroid therapy and anticoagulation were protective factors. These should be considered in management to reduce mortality.