Clinicodemographic profile and outcomes of severe COVID-19 infection in young adults

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 is a respiratory and systemic disorder caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a range of severity from mild respiratory symptoms to severe lung injury, multiorgan failure, and death. The main risk factors of the disease are increased age and underlying comorbidity. Newer reports show that younger patients can also suffer from severe COVID pneumonia of which the data are limited. This study intends to uncover the factors that resulted in severe COVID-19 infection in young adults. Objectives: To study the clinicodemographic profile and outcomes of severe COVID-19 infection in young adults. Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study included 163 hospitalized patients in the age group 18 to 35 years diagnosed with severe COVID-19 infection at a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh from July 2020 to November 2020. Details about patient's demographics, clinical features, previous comorbidities, laboratory and radiological investigations, and hospital outcomes were obtained from patient records and analyzed. Results: Out of 163 patients, 60.1% (98) were males and 39.8% (65) were females. The most common comorbidity was diabetes 68.7%, hyperlipidemia 33.1% and obesity 32%. 30.6.% (51) of patients were smokers. Patients presented with shortness of breath (66.9%), cough (65.6%) and fever (60.7%) respectively. Multilobe infiltrates were found in chest xray of (75.4%) patients,. Mean length for ICU stay was 15.5 days (range 3-46). Mechanical ventilation was required in 26.9% of patients .In patients requiring mechanical ventilation, 17 (38%) were discharged and 27(62.8%) died. Of the mechanically ventilated patients 44 had abnormal BMI. Overall mortality was 27% (37patients). Discussions There was a male sex predominance with diabetes. Obesity, smoking, and hyperlipidemia were the major risk factors. The major presenting symptoms in these patients were shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Only a quarter of patients required mechanical ventilation, and in those obesity was found to be a major risk factor. Conclusion: Our study provides insight into presenting characteristics, demographics, and overall outcomes of severe COVID-19 infection in young adults. The preconceived notion of COVID-19 being a disease of the elderly should be changed. In medical emergencies like the COVID pandemic, it is very important to analyze patient demographics to identify the population at risk. Such knowledge not only allows us to produce strategies to help control the spread of disease but also helps us to risk stratify to prevent mortality. It is crucial to learn from an epidemic like this so we can be better prepared for the future.