COVID-19 infection mortality risk in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are highly prevalent among patients with severe COVID-19. Aims: To study the mortality risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with type 2 diabetes and additive effect of hypertension and obesity in the Iranian population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of the national COVID-19 registry from the Iranian Ministry of Health. The medical status of 22 002 patients with COVID-19 between 1 March and 30 April 2020 was analysed. Results: Patients with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53–1.82, P < 0.001]. The risk of mortality was also high in patients with diabetes and hypertension, with an odds ratio of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.56–1.99, P < 0.001). The odds ratio of the risk of mortality in patients with diabetes, hypertension and obesity was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.35–2.58, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity each predict mortality in Iranian patients with COVID-19, and when they are present together, patients have a greater risk of mortality.