LAUSR

BACKGROUND Several risk factors are associated with COVID-19 severity and death, such as advanced age, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities. AIM To study the effect of these risk factors and socioeconomic variables on the outcome of Chilean patients admitted with COVID-19 to a Chilean public hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS Review of medical records of patients admitted to a Chilean public hospital with a positive PCR test for COVID-19, Chile from March to June 2020. The outcome variable was severity (ICU admission or death). The exposure variables were age, sex, socioeconomic level, and comorbidities. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS Of 1,141 confirmed cases, 266 cases had a severe evolution (23.3%), including 147 deaths (fatality 12.9%). Advanced age and low socioeconomic status were the variables most strongly associated with severity. An age of 80 years or over had an odds ratio (OR) = 11.1 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 5.22-23.53]. The OR [95% CI] for a low socioeconomic level was 3.1 [1.1-8.5]. The figure for male sex was 2.13 [1.5-3.0], for chronic kidney disease was 2.65 [1.49-4.73], for obesity was 2.36 [1.65-3.39], and for diabetes 1.78 [1.22-2.61]. No significant association with severity was found for high blood pressure, chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, or smoking. CONCLUSIONS Following age, a low socioeconomic level was the factor with the higher association with a poor outcome or severe evolution of COVID-19.