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COVID-19 infection and mortality risk for people with dementia in Brunei Darussalam
Affiliations- Geriatrics and Palliative Unit, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
open access
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic remains a huge health crisis impacting millions of people globally. Vulnerable groups at higher risk of developing complications, morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections include older people and people with dementia.
Patients and methods: This was a retrospective review of the electronic health records of patients with COVID-19 infections admitted under geriatric medicine from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022. Demographic information, vaccination status, comorbidities, incident delirium and whether there was a diagnosis of dementia were obtained.
Results: There were 50 patients with a median age of 81.5 years. Approximately two-thirds had dementia. The inpatient mortality rate among people with dementia was 44.0%, while all patients without dementia survived to discharge. The COVID-19 vaccination status was also associated with a reduced disease severity on presentation, as well as survival to discharge.
Conclusions: Among the patients admitted to geriatric medicine with COVID-19 infections, all patients without dementia survived, while patients with dementia had a 44% inpatient mortality rate. People with dementia are at significant risk of mortality from COVID-19 infections.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic remains a huge health crisis impacting millions of people globally. Vulnerable groups at higher risk of developing complications, morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections include older people and people with dementia.
Patients and methods: This was a retrospective review of the electronic health records of patients with COVID-19 infections admitted under geriatric medicine from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022. Demographic information, vaccination status, comorbidities, incident delirium and whether there was a diagnosis of dementia were obtained.
Results: There were 50 patients with a median age of 81.5 years. Approximately two-thirds had dementia. The inpatient mortality rate among people with dementia was 44.0%, while all patients without dementia survived to discharge. The COVID-19 vaccination status was also associated with a reduced disease severity on presentation, as well as survival to discharge.
Conclusions: Among the patients admitted to geriatric medicine with COVID-19 infections, all patients without dementia survived, while patients with dementia had a 44% inpatient mortality rate. People with dementia are at significant risk of mortality from COVID-19 infections.
Keywords
COVID-19, dementia, elderly, mortality
About this articleTitle
COVID-19 infection and mortality risk for people with dementia in Brunei Darussalam
Journal
Palliative Medicine in Practice
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
11-14
Published online
2023-12-13
Page views
137
Article views/downloads
168
DOI
Bibliographic record
Palliat Med Pract 2024;18(1):11-14.
Keywords
COVID-19
dementia
elderly
mortality
Authors
Suprianto Suryono
Shyh Poh Teo
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