Work

COVID-19 severity among individuals with chronic diseases

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that individuals with underlying chronic diseases who are infected with COVID-19 are at greater risk for more severe outcomes. In this study, we measured these risks among a wide range of comorbidities in a large cohort. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the risk for hospitalization and the severity and mortality risk of COVID-19 among adults with obstructive lung diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney diseases, malignancies and immunosuppression states before the emergence of the Omicron variant. We used univariant analyses and adjusted for age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking habits, Socioeconomic Status (SES) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). RESULTS: Of the 44,866 individuals who were positive for COVID-19, 2358 were hospitalized. The adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) for hospitalization was significantly greater for most chronic diseases, with the highest risk for individuals who underwent a kidney transplant (15.06; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI 7.86-28.73]). A significantly greater risk for severe COVID-19 than for mild to moderate disease (602 and 1657 patients, respectively) was found for patients with cerebrovascular diseases (aOR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.07-1.99). A greater mortality risk was demonstrated for individuals who had undergone kidney transplantation (aOR = 4.23; 95% CI 1.36-11.82) and those with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.02-1.99). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with cerebrovascular disease were at increased risk for severe COVID-19, whereas individuals with CKD and past kidney transplantation were at increased mortality risk. These individuals should receive early medical intervention when they are diagnosed.

Source: Clinics

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2026.101218

Authors: Yael Reichenberg, Lior Hasson, Michal Leibovich, Bernice Oberman, Tamar Strahl, Dekel Shlomi

Institutions: Clalit Health Services, Ariel University

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,700