SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Factors Associated with Mortality in Hospitalized Patients Aged 60 and Over at the Epidemic Treatment Center (ETC) of Saint-Louis (Senegal)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection typically causes severe pneumonia in elderly patients with high mortality rates.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and evolution profile of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients aged 60 years and over hospitalized at the Epidemic Treatment Center (ETC) of Saint-Louis “Senegal”, and to identify the factors associated with death.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted from March 2020 to August 2021. It includes all patients aged 60 years and older hospitalized at the ETC of Saint-Louis (Senegal) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Microsoft Excel was used to enter data and then analysis was done using EPI INFO version 7 software.

Results: Of a total of 448 hospitalizations, 188 patient records aged 60 years and older was collected. The prevalence was 42%. The mean age was 70 years (±8 years). The sex ratio was 1.7 with a male predominance (62.8%). Hypertension was the most common co-morbidity (67%). Severe forms were predominant (64.4%). Dyspnea (60.3%), cough (56.5%) and ageusia (24.5%) were the most common symptoms on admission. Thoracic CT scans showed severe involvement in 51.7% of cases. Hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin combination was prescribed in 98.4% of cases. The mortality rate was 18.6%. The main factors associated with death were age (≤75 years) (p=0.014) [OR=0.488; 95% CI: 0.201-1.187]; critical forms (p=0.017) [OR=0.061; 95% CI: 0.006-0.601]; comorbidity (p=0. 031) [OR=1.647; 95% CI: 0.280-2.499]; occurrence of complications (p=0.009) [OR=1.212; 95% CI: 0.530-2.774]; and SpO2≤95% at admission (p=0.031) [OR=4.899; 95% CI: 0.752-8.797].

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection in the elderly is predominantly severe with high mortality. This high-risk group requires special attention.