Clinical differences between elderly and nonelderly patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: In our study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of COVID-19 disease, disease severity, comorbidities and mortality rates in elderly patients compared with non-elderly patients.

Methods: Patients(n:469) who were followed up in outpatient, inpatient and intensive care units with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 - 01 June 2020 were retrospectively included in the study. Two groups of patients were formed, namely the elderly group (≥65 years, n:101) and non-elderly (<65 years, n:368).

Results: When compared to the non-elderly group; The incidence of severe pneumonia (31% / 12.6%) and critical illness (16% / 5.8%), comorbidity (85% /% 37.2), hospitalization time (8/5 days) were significantly higher in the elderly group ( p <0.05). 23 (22.8%) of elderly patients and 27 (7.3%) of non-elderly patients died (p = 0.000). It was seen that mortality increased 3.5 times in elderly patients compared to Nonelderly group. Expected survival time; It was 145.85 days (CI 95% = 133-158.66) in the elderly age group and 170.36 days (CI 95% = 166-174.6) in the non-elderly age group (p <0.000) (Figure 1). In ROC analysis; In predicting mortality, the sensitivity of age was 86% (73.3-94.2), specificity was 66.83% (62.1-71.3), cut-off> 56 (AUC = 0.775; p <0.001).

Measurements and Main Results: In elderly patients diagnosed with COVID-19, mortality is high, comorbidities are more frequent, and the disease is more severe. Age> 56 can be used to predict cut-off mortality.