Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection According to Previous Metabolic Status and Its Association with Mortality and Post-Acute COVID-19

Abstract

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection was analyzed according to previous metabolic status and its association with mortality and post-acute COVID-19. METHODS: A population-based observational retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 110,726 patients aged 12 years or more who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection between June 1st, 2021, and 28 February 2022 on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain. RESULTS: In the 347 patients who died, the combination of advanced age, male sex, cancer, immunosuppressive therapy, coronary heart disease, elevated total cholesterol and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was strongly predictive of mortality (p < 0.05). In the 555 patients who developed post-acute COVID-19, the persistence of symptoms was most frequent in women, older subjects and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, asthma, elevated fasting glucose levels or elevated total cholesterol (p < 0.05). A complete vaccination schedule was associated with lower mortality (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.5, 95%CI 0.39-0.64; p < 0.05) and post-acute COVID-19 (IRR 0.37, 95%CI 0.31-0.44; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated HDL-C and elevated total cholesterol were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality. Elevated fasting glucose levels and elevated total cholesterol were risk factors for the development of post-acute COVID-19.