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

Abstract

Introduction: the 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.

Methods: the 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.

Results: of 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).

Conclusion: mortality 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.