Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated with COVID-19 Mortality in India: a Retrospective Study.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted global health, with India experiencing one of the highest case and death tolls. However, data specific to India's sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing COVID-19 mortality remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in India.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed medical records of 4961 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care center in North India, from April 2020 to December 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data were captured using a structured proforma. Univariate analysis (chi-square test) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed to identify factors associated with mortality.

Results: Of the 4961 patients, 557 (11.2%) died, and 4404 (88.8%) survived. Increased age, rural residency, professional occupation, and comorbidities (diabetes and hypertension), multimorbidity, increased disease severity, cold and flu symptoms, breathlessness, and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and ventilator support were significantly (P <0.05) associated with higher COVID-19 mortality. While some associations were observed with sociodemographic factors like religion, education level, and monthly family income in univariate analysis, these were not significant in survival analysis.

Conclusion: In this cohort of COVID-19 patients in India, advanced age, rural residency, professional occupation, comorbidities, multimorbidity, severe symptoms, and the need for ICU admission and ventilator support were identified as significant risk factors for mortality. Early identification and intervention for these high-risk groups may improve survival rates.