Clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients with chronic pulmonary diseases

Abstract

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) consisted of different diseases with largely heterogeneous pathophysiology and more detailed analysis is required to fully explain the link between different categories of CRDs and the outcomes of COVID 19. Patients and methods: A cohort study of 150 patients with confirmed COVID 19 infection and CRD admitted to isolation unit of Sohag university hospital during the period from May 2020 to May 2023.Patients were divided into COPD, ILD, bronchiectasis and asthma groups. All groups were compared as regard demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory and radiological findings, severity and outcomeResults: The study population was divided into four groups: bronchial asthma group (n=28), bronchiectasis group (n=40), COPD group (n=51) and ILD group (n=31). Neutrophils and NLR were significantly higher in bronchiectasis group, COPD group and ILD group than bronchial asthma group (P value<0.05). Severe cases were significantly higher in COPD group than other groups (P value<0.001). The worst prognosis was in COPD group and the best was in asthma group. Bronchiectasis and current smoking increased the odds for mortality by about 5 and 6 times respectivelyConclusion: Chronic respiratory diseases have a potent impact on COVID 19 severity and outcome. Severity of infection and mortality were the highest in COPD cases. The absence of significant association between bronchial asthma and increased risk or poor prognosis of COVID-19. Factors associated with higher mortality included bronchiectasis as subtype of CRD, current smoking, the association of DM and CKD as comorbidities, low O2 saturation, high D-dimer and high HCO3 values.