Age, Multiple Chronic Conditions, and COVID-19: A Literature Review

Abstract

Background Various patient demographic and clinical characteristics have been associated with poor outcomes for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To describe the importance of age and chronic conditions in predicting COVID-19-related outcomes. Methods Search strategies were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE. Daily alerts were created. Results A total of 28 studies met our inclusion criteria. Studies varied broadly in sample size (n = 21 to more than 17,000,000). Participants’ mean age ranged from 48 years to 80 years, and the proportion of male participants ranged from 44% to 82%. The most prevalent underlying conditions in patients with COVID-19 were hypertension (range: 15%–69%), diabetes (8%–40%), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (4%–61%), chronic pulmonary disease (1%–33%), and chronic kidney disease (range 1%–48%). These conditions were each associated with an increased in-hospital case fatality rate (CFR) ranging from 1% to 56%. Overall, older adults have a substantially higher case fatality rate (CFR) as compared to younger individuals affected by COVID-19 (42% for those <65 vs 65% > 65 years). Only one study examined the association of chronic conditions and the risk of dying across different age groups; their findings suggested similar trends of increased risk in those < 65 years and those > 65 years as compared to those without these conditions. Conclusions There has been a traditional, single-condition approach to consideration of how chronic conditions and advancing age relate to COVID-19 outcomes. A more complete picture of the impact of burden of multimorbidity and advancing patient age is needed.

An Update on Medication Use in Older Adults: a Narrative Review

“…Over the past year, it has become evident that older adults are even under-represented in COVID-19 trials, despite being one of the populations most affected by and at risk from COVID-19 infection [46][47][48]. Studies have taken a siloed approach as to how comorbidities and age affect outcomes from COVID-19 infection [46,49], and there have been calls for COVID-19 research to be more inclusive of older people with frailty, cognitive impairment, and multimorbidity [46,50].…”

Family Caregivers’ Experiences and Changes in Caregiving Tasks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, family caregivers are navigating new social restrictions while providing care to their loved ones in the community. They are faced with unanticipated stressors, especially in that they are caring for the most vulnerable group of individuals at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 ( Tisminetzky et al, 2020 ). Therefore, it is important to explore how family caregivers are affected by the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated restrictions that took effect.…”

Comorbidities and the risk of death among individuals infected by COVID-19 in Espírito Santo, Brazil

“…The pandemic arrived in Brazil at the end of February 2020, and 1 year later, the country had a cumulative total of 10,195,160 cases and 247,143 deaths from the disease. COVID-19 can lead to significant mortality in critically ill patients, especially those with comorbidities, such as hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity 1 , 2 . The rising prevalence of obesity in many countries 3 has led to an increase in other chronic diseases, and studies regarding the possible influence of these morbidities on the incidence and mortality due to COVID-19 can provide a better understanding of the disease, and therefore, help develop strategies for its mitigation.…”