ROLE OF HYPERTENSION ON THE SEVERITY AND PROGRESSION OF COVID-19: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY IN INDIA

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics and progression of COVID-19 in normotensive and hypertensive patients, and assess the potential role of hypertension in aggravation of COVID-19 Design and method: This was a retrospective cohort study focusing on the clinical data of all the 1487 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted at the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from March to September 2020. Demographic data, medical history, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, chest computed tomography (CT), treatment details, and clinical outcomes were extracted from medical records. Results: 1487 COVID-19 inpatients were included in this study, of whom 1252 were discharged and 235 were deceased in hospital. 61% of 235 deceased patients had hypertension, as opposed to 38% of the patients who were discharged (RR=2.18, P<0.05). The relative risk was highest for patients above 70 years, in males, in smokers, and in those with family history of hypertension. Higher risk was noticed in patients with uncontrolled hypertension as compared to those whose BP were under control. A similar relationship for hypertension was detected with admission to ICU (RR=3.27, P<0.01). Conclusions: Hypertension is not just a chronic underlying comorbidity, but also a risk factor affecting the severity of COVID-19 and adverse outcomes. Therefore, hypertension management in COVID-19 patients is an important aspect in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.