Abstract
Background
Despite previous exposure to coronavirus epidemics a few years ago, limited clinical and epidemiological information is available from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is the second most affected country amongst the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries by Covid19. Distinctly, the UAE has a population of almost 9.2 million, with fewer than 12% UAE nationals, and the rest immigrants, mainly unskilled labourers. The disparate socio-economic structure, crowded housing conditions, multi-ethnic, multicultural population offers a unique set of challenges in Covid19 disease management.
Methods
In order to assess patient characteristics and survival for patients infected with Covid19, electronic patient data was retrospectively abstracted from the medical records of two designated public Covid19 referral hospitals, and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results
From, the total of 3072 patients, less than one-fifth were females, the Asian population (71.2%), followed by Middle Eastern Arabs (23.3%) were the most infected by the virus. Mortality was low among the Asian population. Diabetes Mellitus (26.8%, p < 0.001), hypertension (25.7%, p < 0.001), and heart disease (9.6%, p < 0.01) were the most prevalent comorbidities observed and decreased survival by 2–3 fold. Kidney disease escalated mortality rate by almost eight-fold high (19.4%, p < 0.001), as compared to patients without kidney disease. Higher age of patients between 51 and 65 years, significantly decreased the odds for survival (Crude OR 14.1, p<,0.001) and (Adjusted OR 12.3, p < 0.001), and patient age beyond 66 years, further significantly decreased the odds for survival (Crude OR 36.1, p < 0.001) and (Adjusted OR 26.6,p < 0.001). Kidney disease as comorbidity significantly diminished the survival rates (Crude OR 9.6,p < 0.001) and (Adjusted OR 5.7, p < 0.001), as compared to those without kidney dysfunction.
Conclusion
Although Asian population was the highest infected by Covd19, their mortality rate was low (2.6%), compared to other nationalities. Older ages above 51 years decreased the odds of survival significantly. Despite other comorbidity risks, kidney dysfunction contributed to enhanced mortality by over eight-fold and reduced the odds of survival (Adjusted OR 26.6), compared to those patients without kidney dysfunction. Our findings are important in the management of the Covid19 disease in the region with similar economic, social, cultural and ethnic background.
ACE deletion allele is associated with susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality rate: An epidemiological study in the Asian population
