Mortality Due to COVID-19 in the Elderly: Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Aims: Explore national and international literature about mortality in elderly caused by COVID-19. Methodology: An integrative literature review was performed using the databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed/Medline (National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health/Medical Literature Analyzes Sand Retrieval System Online) and Cochrane Library. The selection of articles occurred from the combination of the descriptors: “Coronavirus Infections”; “Aged” and “Mortality” mediated by the Boolean operator “AND”. After evaluating and synthesizing the articles, the data were analyzed using the IRaMuTeQ software, a program that is anchored in the R software. Results: After analyzing the identification of textual domains and interpretation, 4 classes emerged: 1) The importance of tests for the control and good prognosis of infection in the elderly; 2) Predictors related to high mortality in the elderly; 3) Comorbidities associated with a high mortality rate; 4) The reasons for the transmission of the virus are more worrying in the elderly. Conclusion: The elderly population presents different risks for mortality, an example of physiological changes such as immune senescence, critical, social and psychological factors and the presence of comorbidities.