[Atypical clinical and mortality in older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia].

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a public health problem. Older adults are vulnerable and the atypical presentation delays diagnosis and increases mortality. In this group the atypical clinical manifestations are more frequent.

Objective: To identify the clinical manifestations and mortality of COVID-19 pneumonia in hospitalized older adults.

Material and methods: A comparative cross-sectional observational study was carried out, from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, in a general hospital of Mexico City. Patients aged 60 years or more who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included.

Results: 267 older adults participated; 53.9% were men, with a median age of 74 years. The most frequent comorbidities in this population were type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 41.2% showed atypical presentation of the disease; mortality in the studied population was 53.5%.

Conclusions: The atypical presentation of COVID-19 pneumonia is common in adults over 60 years of age and it increases significantly as they become older. The absence of typical symptoms of pneumonia and the ignorance of the most common signs could delay diagnosis and timely care in this age group, which may increase complications and mortality.