Association of ABO blood types and clinical variables with COVID-19 infection severity in Libya

Abstract

Objective: The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is a coronavirus-related health emergency (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Inadequate efforts are still being made to address the illness situation in Libya, and this must change. To address these issues, we looked into the demography and trend of the disease as well as the potential risk factors for infection. Methods: This study is a retrospective case–control study conducted online among 616 COVID-19 patients. The p 0.05 value, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and analyzed from the drawn data. Results: Males were at high risk of COVID-19 than females (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.042–1.622; p = 0.02). Anosmia and ageusia were more prominent in females. Patients with an “AB” blood group are significantly susceptible to infection. Adults (31 and above) are highly liable to infection. The univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking is a risk factor for those above 60 years (odds ratio = 2.228, 95% confidence interval: 1.145–4.336; p = 0.018). Individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes and/or hypertension are more prone to COVID-19 (odds ratio = 10.045, 95% confidence interval: 3.078–32.794; p = 0.000 and odds ratio = 11.508, 95% confidence interval: 3.930–33.695; p = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: This study provided for the first time the demographic data and the trend of COVID-19 infection in Libya, which will assist the stakeholders and governmental bodies in planning protection strategies against the pandemic.