A Study on SARS-CoV-2 Infection and its Association with Co-morbidities: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus (nCoV) that causes viral pneumonia known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It can infect people of all age groups, and various clinical conditions are strong indicators of co-morbidities in COVID-19. The presence of co-morbidities is crucial in determining the clinical outcome of coronavirus infections. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the demographic profile and associated risk factors of COVID-19 in this geographical region. Aim: To assess the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and demographic characteristics and co-morbidities. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited Virology Service Laboratory (VSL) of Tripura Medical College and Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital, Agartala, Tripura, India. All the required data was collected between May 2021 and October 2022, and data analysis was carried out from February to March 2023. After obtaining Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approval, real-time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) was used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. A total of 10,263 samples were included in the study. RNA extraction was performed using the viral Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) extraction Miniprep Kit protocol manufactured by MDI Membrane Technologies, and RT-PCR was conducted according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-approved DiAGSureTM nCoV-19 Detection Assay (Multiplex, TaqMan based) protocol developed by GCC BIOTECH. The findings were based on demographic parameters such as age group and gender distribution. Results were expressed as proportions and percentages, and statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Out of the 10,263 registered patients, 1471 (14.33%) were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most affected age group was found to be between 21 and 40 years, with 524 (35.62%) cases. Males, 927 (63.02%) were more frequently infected than females, 544 (36.98%). Among all the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, co-morbidities were found in 254 (17.26%) cases, and the association between co-morbidities and the rRT-PCR test results was found to be statistically significant, with a p-value=0.01. Conclusion: The highest number of SARS-CoV-2 patients were found in the age group of 21 to 40 years, predominantly among males. Patients with co-morbidities showed a significant association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Diabetes was found to be the most prevalent risk factor among all the patients.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease-19
• diabetes
• real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2