Blood Group Type and COVID-19 Severity at Tertiary Care Centre, Nepal: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The respiratory infection with COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 and was later declared a global pandemic by the world health organization. Clinical observations suggest the role of ABO blood types in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. The study was designed to find the proportion of blood group distribution across the severity of COVID-19 patients. Methods: This is an observational cross-section study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. All COVID-19 patient visiting hospital within January to December 2021 were included in the study. Their demographic profile, blood group and COVID-19 severity were recorded. Descriptive analysis of the date was done. Results: There were 399 confirmed case of COVID-19 during study period, out of which 278 (69.7%) were male and 198 (49.62%) were aged between 21–40 years. There were 78 (31.45%) amongst mild COVID-19 and 32 (39.04%) amongst severe COVID-19 (Bilateral Pneumonia) having A positive blood group. Conclusions: The study suggests that patients with blood group A positive were more in the mild COVID-19, severe COVID-19 group.

Keywords

• blood group
• SARS-CoV-2
• disease severity
• comorbidities