Prevalence and impact of comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a study from Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background In this study, we aimed to address the prevalence of comorbidities and their impact on the outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients admitted to a large tertiary Saudi Arabian hospital. Methods This is a retrospective study that included all adults with COVID‑19 admitted to a large tertiary Saudi Arabian hospital, between January 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022. The study outcomes were the prevalence of comorbidities among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the effects of these comorbidities on all‑cause hospital mortality. Results A total of 1118 /1853 (60.3%) patients had one or more comorbidities. The most prevalent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus (48.5%), followed by hypertension (12.5%), and chronic renal disease (10.3%). Age (OR 3.032 (95% CI 0.006 – 0.029, p = 0.002), clinical status (8.194, 0.0350 – 0.709, p < 0.001), the presence (versus absence) of comorbidities (3.167, 0.042—0.233, p = 0.002), the number of comorbidities (2.972, 0.027 – 0.133, p = 0.003), and the 4C score (2.894, 0.010 – 0.054, p = 0.004), were independent significant predictors of mortality. Conclusions A total of 60.3% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had one or more comorbidities, the most prevalent of which were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic renal disease. The presence and the number of comorbidities, but not the individual ones, together with age, clinical status at admission, and the 4C mortality score were significant independent predictors of mortality.