Presenting the characteristics, smoking versus diabetes, and outcome among patients hospitalized with COVID‐19

Abstract

Methods We designed a cross‐sectional, observational follow‐up for 284 COVID‐19 patients involving healthy patients, smokers, diabetics, and diabetic plus smokers recruited from May 1, 2020 to June 25, 2020. The clinical features, severity, duration, and outcome of the disease were analyzed. Results Of 284 COVID‐19 patients, the median age was 48 years (range, 18–80), and 33.80% were female. Common symptoms included fever (85.56%), shortness of breath (49.65%), cough (45.42%), and headache (40.86%). Patients with more than one comorbidity (diabetes and smoking) presented as severe‐critical cases compared to healthy patients, diabetics, and smokers. Smokers presented with a lower rate of death in comparison to diabetic patients and diabetic + smoking, furthermore, smoking was less risky than diabetes. Although the mortality rate was high in patients with smokers compared to healthy patients (4.22%, the hazard ratio [HR], 1.358; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.542–1.100; p = .014), it was less than in diabetics (7.04%, HR 1.531, 95% CI: 1.668–1.337, p = .000), and diabetic plus smoker (10.00%, HR, 1.659; 95% CI, 1.763–1.510; p = .000). Conclusion Multiple comorbidities are closely related to the severity of COVID‐19 disease progression and the higher mortality rate. Smokers presented as mild cases compared to diabetic and diabetic + smoking patients, who presented as severe to critical cases. Although a higher death rate in smokers was seen compared with healthy patients, this was smaller when compared to diabetic and diabetic + smoking patients.

Tobacco use as a well-recognized cause of severe COVID-19 manifestations

“…A cross-sectional, observational follow-up for 284 COVID-19 infected persons indicated that multiple comorbidities are closely related to the severity of COVID-19 disease progression and the higher mortality rate was seen in smokers as compared with healthy patients [29]. A study on 10,713 COVID-19 patients in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, reported that older age, male gender, Asian, indigenous or unknown race, comorbidities like smoking, kidney disease, obesity, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as fever and shortness of breath, increased the risk of hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 [30].…”

COVID-19-specific diabetes worries amongst diabetic patients: The role of social support and other co-variates

“…The risk of diabetes related complications (such as cardiovascular and renal complications, neuropathy, blindness, etc.) [50] may increase during the pandemic as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, requiring further care for individuals. Major changes have already been observed in the healthcare systems which interrupt existing best practices that have been set up to reduce the risk of diabetic related complications [45].…”

Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Parameters Associated with Mental and Physical Health during COVID-19 Confinement in Three Ibero-American Countries. A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

“…Likewise, in an observational study conducted in Croatia, it was reported that women who smoked a greater number of cigarettes had a lower frequency and duration of PA than men and were more likely to gain weight, factors that influence a decrease in quality of life [45]. On the other hand, the presence of comorbidity is closely related to the severity and progression of the COVID-19 disease and higher mortality; there is a higher mortality rate in smoking subjects compared to healthy subjects; however, the presence of some comorbidities (e.g., diabetes) and diabetes + smoking increases the risk of mortality through COVID-19 [46]. Therefore, it is essential to maintain optimal levels of PA, because they may be protective elements for health [12][13][14].…”