Mumbai Mayhem of COVID-19 Pandemic Reveals Unique Factors that Influence Susceptibility to Infection

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 disproportionately affects persons of age or with comorbidities. However, whether there are factors that predispose individuals to increased chances of infection are not known.Methods: Data from18600 patients screened for COVID-19 in Mumbai during the outbreak’s initial phase, Apr 1 to Jun 30, 2020, was used to assess risk factors associated with COVID-19 using the odds ratio analysis. Findings: Males aged 60+ years having diabetes-hypertension are at most-risk of COVID-19 infection (M vs. F OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.34 – 4.67, p=0.0049). Patients having diabetes-hypertension in 20+ years (OR=4.11, 95% CI=3.26 – 5.20, pInterpretation: Our research assesses the risk of getting COVID-19 disease is not equal. When considering sex, age, and comorbidity together, we found that males aged 60+ and having diabetes-hypertension are identified as the only group with significantly high (for this age group and medical condition, M vs. F: OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.34–4.67, p=0.0049) risk of COVID-19 infection. Thus remedial measures such as vaccination programs need to be implemented with the at-risk individuals on priority.Funding Statement: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India (SB/S1/Covid-2/2020), and a seed grant RD/0520-IRCCHC0-006 from IRCC, IIT Bombay to SS.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: The Institutional Review Board of Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mumbai, approved the use of the data for secondary analysis.