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. 2020 Nov;52(7):354-360.
doi: 10.1080/07853890.2020.1791356. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Demographics, comorbidities and outcomes in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural southwest Georgia

Priyank Shah  1   2 , Jack Owens  3 , James Franklin  4 , Akshat Mehta  5 , William Heymann  6 , William Sewell  7 , Jennifer Hill  8 , Krista Barfield  8 , Rajkumar Doshi  9
Affiliations

Demographics, comorbidities and outcomes in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural southwest Georgia

Priyank Shah et al. Ann Med. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Background: There is limited data on outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in rural United States (US). This study aimed to describe the demographics, and outcomes of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural Southwest Georgia.

Methods: Using electronic medical records, we analyzed data from all hospitalized Covid-19 patients who either died or survived to discharge between 2 March 2020 and 6 May 2020.

Results: Of the 522 patients, 92 died in hospital (17.6%). Median age was 63 years, 58% were females, and 87% African-Americans. Hypertension (79.7%), obesity (66.5%) and diabetes mellitus (42.3%) were the most common comorbidities. Males had higher overall mortality compared to females (23 v 13.8%). Immunosuppression [odds ratio (OR) 3.6; (confidence interval (CI): 1.52-8.47, p=.003)], hypertension (OR 3.36; CI:1.3-8.6, p=.01), age ≥65 years (OR 3.1; CI:1.7-5.6, p<.001) and morbid obesity (OR 2.29; CI:1.11-4.69, p=.02), were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Female gender was an independent predictor of decreased in-hospital mortality. Mortality in intubated patients was 67%. Mortality was 8.9% in <50 years, compared to 20% in ≥50 years.

Conclusions: Immunosuppression, hypertension, age ≥ 65 years and morbid obesity were independent predictors of mortality, whereas female gender was protective for mortality in hospitalized Covid-19 patients in rural Southwest Georgia. KEY MESSAGES Patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in rural US have higher comorbidity burden. Immunosuppression, hypertension, age ≥ 65 years and morbid obesity are independent predictors of increased mortality. Female gender is an independent predictor of reduced mortality.

Keywords: Covid-19; baseline characteristics; demographics; outcomes; rural US.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Histogram showing increasing mortality with increased cumulative burden of independent predictors. Independent predictors include–age ≥ 65 years, hypertension, immunosuppression, and morbid obesity.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Panel A–histogram showing total cases and mortality by 10-year age interval, Panel B–histogram showing percentage of total cases and percentage mortality in corresponding age interval by 10-year age intervals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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