Variables associated with COVID-19 severity: an observational study of non-paediatric confirmed cases from the general population of the Basque Country, Spain

• Published in: BMJ open 2021-04, Vol.11 (4), p.e049066
• Main Authors: Vrotsou, Kalliopi, Rotaeche, Rafael, Mateo-Abad, Maider, Machón, Mónica, Vergara, Itziar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Big Data; Case management; Classification; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - pathology; Datasets; Electronic health records; Epidemiology; Health care; Hospitals; Humans; Immunization; Influenza; Intensive care; Middle Aged; Observational studies; Pandemics; Pediatrics; Primary care; Public health; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spain - epidemiology; Statistical methods; statistics & research methods; Treatment Outcome; Variables
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049066

ObjectivesTo investigate which were the most relevant sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with COVID-19 severity, and uncover how their inter-relations may have affected such severity.DesignA retrospective observational study based on electronic health record data.ParticipantsIndividuals ≥14 years old with a positive PCR or serology test, between 28 February and 31 May 2020, belonging to the Basque Country (Spain) public health system. Institutionalised and individuals admitted to a hospital at home unit were excluded from the study.Main outcome measureThree severity categories were established: primary care, hospital/intensive care unit admission and death.ResultsA total of n=14 197 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most variables presented statistically significant associations with the outcome (p