Chronic heart diseases as the most prevalent comorbidities among deaths by COVID-19 in Brazil

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2020 Jun 29:62:e45. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202062045. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Age, sex and presence of comorbidities are risk factors associated with COVID-19. Hypertension, diabetes and heart disease are the most common comorbidities in patients with COVID-19. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of patients with comorbidities who died of COVID-19 in Brazil. Searches of data were carried out on the official pages of the 26 State health departments and the federal district. The random-effect method was used to calculate the prevalence of patients with comorbidities who died. From the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil until May 20, 2020, 276,703 cases of COVID-19 were notified in Brazil, 6.4% died, 58.6% of whom were male. The prevalence of comorbidities among deaths was 83% (95% CI: 79 - 87), with heart disease and diabetes being the most prevalent. To our knowledge, this study represents the first large analysis of cases of patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Brazil. There is a high prevalence of comorbidities (83%) among patients who died from COVID-19 in Brazil, with heart disease being the most prevalent. This is important considering the possible secondary effects produced by drugs such as hydroxychloroquine.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • COVID-19
  • Chronic Disease
  • Comorbidity
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / mortality
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / mortality*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / mortality
  • Immune System Diseases / mortality
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Kidney Diseases / mortality
  • Lung Diseases / mortality
  • Male
  • Obesity / mortality
  • Pandemics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pneumonia / mortality
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sex Factors
  • Stroke / mortality