Profile of Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Three Zones of Ahmedabad City during the all Three Waves of Pandemic: A Record Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Mortality due to COVID- 19 was observed in India including Gujarat during the pandemic. Death audit of all the deaths among cases of COVID- 19 during the pandemic was carried out in Municipal Corporation area of a city of Gujarat in India. Objective: Present research was carried out to describe socio-demographic and clinical profile among deceased due to COVID-19. Method: Descriptive cross sectional record-based study was carried out. Case papers of 1078 deaths from three zones of municipal corporation were allotted for death audit to a tertiary care teaching hospital and the findings were described as proportions, mean, median, and associations were demonstrated through appropriated tests like Chi square test, t-test. Results: Mean age of deceased was 63.66+11.99 years. Male:Female ratio was 2.5:1.The median duration of stay of the deceased in the hospital was 7 (IQR: 3-12). The most commonly recorded immediate cause of death was Type 1 Respiratory failure 533 (49.44%). Proportion of comorbidities increased with increase in age and this was statistically highly significant. However, there was no gender-wise association of comorbidities. There was no association of SpO2 levels with age. However, SpO2 levels were significantly associated with fever, sore throat, breathlessness and ischaemic heart disease. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, individuals more than 60 years of age were identified as high risk group, Emphasis on early referral and proper management of comorbidities is required to decrease the mortality.