The Role of Secondary Infections and Underlying Diseases in the Mortality of Patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by coronavirus is a respiratory infection, that has spread worldwide in the past few months. Considering the necessity and importance of the COVID-19 pandemic, determining the importance of the secondary infection of COVID-19 patients and the death of these patients is one of the main issues considered in the study. Common bacterial infections are often found in viral respiratory infections and are major causes of death. This study investigated the cause of death from COVID-19 within a year.

In this cross-sectional study from March 2020 and March 2021, 1600 patients with secondary infection were enrolled based on their characteristics, symptoms and signs, laboratory data and presence of other underlying diseases. Chi-square test analysis were used to check the effectiveness of other comorbidities on the mortality outcome among patients with COVID 19.

Of the 1,600 COVID 19 patients with secondary infection who have died, 900 (56.25%) had underlying diseases, such as 380 (42.22%) with COPD, 80 (8.89%) with cardiovascular disease and hypertension, 25 (2.78%) with Obesity and smoking, 265 (29.44%) with age over 60 years, 150 (16.67%) with diabetes. 700 (43.75%) patients had no underlying disease.

The most important causes of death in COVID-19 patients were secondary infections caused by important nosocomial bacteria. High mortality rates in COVID-19 patients indicate the importance of secondary infections.