COVID-19 in geriatric population: Prevalent symptoms and risky parameters

Background: Geriatric patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are prone to severe acute respiratory syndrome. Hepatic and gastrointestinal tract affections have been recognized with variable severity. Aim: to assess risk factors, clinical features, and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 infection and outcomes in elderly patients. Methods: A multicenter cohort study was carried out from April to July 2020 on COVID-19-positive cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data was gathered from four quarantine hospitals connected to the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Records included demographics, laboratory results, the patient's outcome, and therapy. Results: Our study was conducted on 80 geriatric patients/547 COVID-19 patients, of whom 20 died during hospitalization, 59 were recovered, and one lost to follow-up. The elderly age group was associated with elevation of aspartate transaminase (AST), ferritin, creatinine, and urea with decline in serum albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Analysis for factors affecting survival among the elderly age group revealed mild and moderate COVID-19 disease; normal urea level; and factors associated with increased mortality (lung consolidation; intensive care unit (ICU) admission; critical COVID-19 disease. Elevated AST or alanine transaminase (ALT) levels are linked to several variables, including lung involvement, smoking, hypertension, chronic hepatitis C, and male gender. Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) was higher in ICU patients. Among 80 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, 5 patients had diarrhea. Additionally, elderly patients had fever, dyspnea, sore throat, headache, and dry cough. Conclusion: Compared to GIT symptoms, pulmonary symptoms were more prevalent in elderly people with COVID-19 illness, with a higher risk of critical illness and death.