COVID-19 Comorbidity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) General Reference Hospital (HGR), Niamey, Niger

Abstract

The COVID-19 infection has highlighted the most vulnerable patients. Indeed, COVID-19 patients suffering from another pathology including NCDs such as Arterial Hypertension (Hypertension), diabetes, cancers and respiratory diseases are paying a heavy price for this pandemic. We undertook a study in Niger to better document this comorbidity in a cross-sectional study that brought together patients hospitalized at the Niamey General Reference Hospital for COVID-19 infection and suffering from one or more NCDs. Among 273 patients hospitalized from March 19 to June 03, 2020, 34.8% had a non-communicable disease associated with COVID-19. The average age of the patients was 55 years (22 years to 94 years) and the sex ratio was 2.64 (72.5 % men and 27.5% women). Hypertension was the most represented NCD with 24.5%, followed by diabetes in 17.9% of cases, respiratory diseases 3.66% and other diseases (Heart disease, Obesity, Dyslipidemia, Gout, Chronic renal failure) with 3%. Health workers were the most affected by the disease with 38.6% of cases. The average consultation time was 3.77 days with extremes ranging from 1 to 8 days. The clinical symptoms characterizing the two main groups of patients (hypertensive and diabetic) were almost identical. It consisted mainly of cough, fever, chills, sore throat and rhinorrhea. According to the WHO clinical criteria for the severity of COVID-19, 34 patients or 16.11% were severe and 177 patients or 83% moderate. The clinical severity of the disease is significantly correlated with the patient's age (over 50 years) and the presence of an NCD associated with COVID-19. A total of 35.8% were hospitalized in intensive care in the NCD and COVID-19 group and 14.6% in the NCD group (p <0.001). The average length of patient hospitalization was 6.87 days overall, it was 7 days in intensive care. In 61.7% of cases the length of hospitalization was greater than 4 days. There was 22.1% in the NCD group and 7.3% in the just COVID-19 group (p <0.001). A total of 90.6% of registered deaths occurred in intensive care.