Prevalence of Comorbidities and their Impact on COVID-19 Outcomes: An Observational Study during Early Outbreak in Lebanon

Purpose: To describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Lebanon and to explore the association of baseline risk factors and comorbidities with COVID-19 disease course and outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational single-center study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon between February 21 and May 15, 2020. Medical records of patients were reviewed for demographic and clinical data. We compared disease symptoms, complications, and outcomes of patients with and without comorbidities. Results: Of the 150 patients enrolled, 60.67 % were males and mean age was 45.87 years. The most commonly reported comorbidities were hypertension (n=28; 18.67 %), diabetes (n=24; 16.67 %), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n=14; 9.33 %). Cough (n=85; 56.67 %), fever (n=83; 55.33 %), and dyspnea (n=28; 18.79 %) were the most common symptoms. Twenty-three patients (15.33 %) had severe disease and 22 patients (14.67 %) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Twelve patients (8.00 %) experienced acute respiratory distress syndrome and 9 patients (6.00 %) needed mechanical ventilation. Nine patients (6.00 %) died during hospitalization, while all others were discharged. ICU admission was associated with age ???????50 years (32.81 % vs, 1.16 %; p<0.001), CVD (57.14 % vs. 10.29 %; p<0.001), obesity (60.00 % vs. 13.10 %; p=0.023), hypertension (46.43 % vs. 7.38 %; p<0.001), and diabetes (52.00 % vs. 7.20 %; p<0.001). Patient mortality was associated with age ???????50 years (12.50 % vs. 1.16 %; p=0.005), obesity (66.67 % vs. 3.47 %; p<0.001), and hypertension (17.86 % vs. 3.28 %; p=0.012). Conclusion: Older age and different comorbidities, particularly hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, should be considered when treating patients for COVID-19.