Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants of Multimorbidity of Underlying Conditions That Increase the Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19 in Chronic Adult Individuals

Abstract

Multimorbid patients represent a special population of vulnerable individuals who suffer from two or more long-term conditions. They are a very prevalent group with an increased risk of death from COVID-19. The present study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of multimorbidity of underlying conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in chronic adult individuals by analyzing data from the Portuguese National Health Survey 2019. The inclusion sample consisted of 7859 adult residents in Portugal who had at least one chronic condition. The health conditions considered for multimorbidity were CKD, COPD, heart conditions, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking. In Portugal, approximately 6 out of every 10 individuals with chronic diseases suffer from one or more conditions that are on the list of those at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and approximately 2 out of every 10 individuals have multimorbidity. Obesity and diabetes are the most frequent risk factors. Timely interventions (e.g., regular medical follow-up for preventive health services and health information) targeting multimorbidity in males and individuals with low educational levels, a poor health status, and low functionality may help to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 sequelae, and to improve health in a large proportion of the population.

Association between Multimorbidity and COVID-19 Mortality in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Multimorbidity is defined as having two or more chronic illnesses [8]. While chronic diseases are linked to a higher risk of hospitalization and death, emerging research suggests that the presence of several comorbidities simultaneously can further increase the risk of mortality [9].…”

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life, Physical Exercise, and General Health among Older People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Interview Study

“…Based on studies of large populations, the prevalence of diabetes in COVID-19 varies from 5% [ 12 ] to 11% [ 5 ], and is linked to the increased viral entry into the cells and a compromised immune system [ 13 ]. In Portugal, diabetes is the second most common chronic disease to increase the risk of COVID-19 severity [ 14 ]. Six of every 10 individuals with diabetes suffer from one or more conditions, including chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity and smoking [ 14 ].…”

“…In Portugal, diabetes is the second most common chronic disease to increase the risk of COVID-19 severity [ 14 ]. Six of every 10 individuals with diabetes suffer from one or more conditions, including chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity and smoking [ 14 ]. It is already known that people with T2DM are more prone to severe micro-and macrovascular complications and an increased mortality rate compared to non-T2DM controls [ 15 ], and recent evidence shows that this population also has an increased risk of dying in hospital with COVID-19 [ 16 ].…”