The Correlation Between The COVID-19 Infection Severity and ABO Blood Groups in Sulaimaniyah City, Iraq

Background: ABO blood group types are among the risk factors of COVID-19 infection in many recent studies. Thus, the objective of this study is to find the relations between ABO types and COVID-19 infection as well as to find out the riskier group that is associated with hospitalization and the need for O 2 support. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was done to identify the risk and relations between ABO blood groups and Rh factor of 530 Iraqi-Kurdish patients affected with COVID-19 infection. Among them, 184 patients were severe cases that needed hospitalization while 346 patients were mild to moderate cases that were treated at home. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was based on Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, high-resolution Chest CT scan, strong clinical suspicion plus history of the close home or job contact with COVID-19 confirmed patient. Results There were no significant differences in the distribution of ABO blood grouping in the total COVID-19 cases, however, the severity in form of hospitalization and O 2 demand was higher in blood group A whereas the lowest in group B. Male patient were significantly older than females with more prolonged illness duration. The duration of COVID-19 illness, the need for plasma, and the rate of mortality were very significantly higher among hospitalized COVID-19 patients than non-hospitalized. In 37.2% of the patient, the initial presentation was a combination of more than one symptom. In 28% of cases, myalgia was the 1st mono-symptomatic presentation. Conclusions Blood group A is associated with the highest rate of hospitalization and O 2 demand, besides, the duration of illness and rate of mortality in males were more than females.