COVID-19 in Older Adults in Vietnam

Abstract

Background/Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of severe outcomes among older patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Vietnam. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at the COVID unit of a hospital. Data were collected based on electronic medical records. Severe outcomes included mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Frailty was evaluated using the Clinical Frailty Scale. Results: Data on 156 older patients with COVID-19 were collected (mean age: 74.9±0.7 years). The prevalence of severe outcomes was 29.5% (46 patients), including mortality, which was 5.8% and ICU admission, which was 23.7%. Patients aged ≥80 years had a significantly higher risk of severe outcomes (odds ratio [OR]=7.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1–25.61, p=0.002) compared to that had by those who are younger. Severely frail patients had 3.75 higher odds of severe outcomes than that had by their counterparts (95% CI: 1.07– 13.15, p <0.039). Individuals with high respiratory rate on admission and consolidation on chest X-ray (CXR) also had higher risks of ICU admission and death compared to that had by others (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.12–2.26, p=0.010 and OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.07–6.30, p=0.030, respectively). Conclusion: In older patients with COVID-19, the predictors of severe outcomes were age ≥80 years, severe frailty, high respiratory rate on admission, and consolidation on CXR. Those with these features should be classified as high-risk individuals to ensure appropriate preventive strategies, reducing ICU admission rates and mortality.