‘Covid-19 patients with comorbidities face challenge’

PRAYAGRAJ : A study undertaken by experts of the department of pulmonary medicine, MLN Medical College, Prayagraj, has reiterated the threat posed by Covid-19 virus to patients who contract it while suffering from various other comorbidities.

The study was undertaken on 100 recovered Covid patients, confirmed by a negative RT-PCR test. The category of patients was divided into mild, moderate and severe/critical groups. Their clinical signs and symptoms and blood biochemical markers were also analysed, doctors said.

“Of these patients, 60 had one or more comorbidities,” said Tariq Mahmood, professor and head of the pulmonary medicine department at MLN Medical College. He added that diabetes (60%) and hypertension (35%) were the most common coexisting conditions, COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was also found in 27 % of cases, bronchial asthma in 21% of the cases and chronic kidney disease found in 9% of cases.

Mahmood said, “The severity of the Covid-19 symptoms was also divided into three categories. In the first category, under the mild group, 27% of patients had breathlessness on exertion, requiring intermittent moist oxygen support with a face mask or nasal prongs. In the second category, under moderate group, 63% of the patients had breathlessness at rest and required high-flow oxygen devices.

“In the third category, under the severe group, 10% of the patients were on BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) support at the time of transfer in the ward and required further BiPAP support for saturation maintenance.