The impact of socioeconomic status on 30-day mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection.

Khan, Khurram Shahzad; Torpiano, Giuliana; McLellan, Morag; Mahmud, Sajid

Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts outcome in number of diseases. Our aim was to compare the outcome of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in low and high SES group. Prospective cohort study of hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 in three acute hospitals. Electronic case notes were analysed for baseline characteristics and admission investigations. Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) was used to divide patients into two groups: more deprived (SIMD 1-5) and less deprived (SIMD 6-10) and results compared. Poor outcome was defined as either need for intubation and/or death. 173 patients were identified, one was excluded. 108 (62.8%) were males, mean age was 68.5 ± 14.7 years. Commonest comorbidity was hypertension 87 (50.6%). 117 (68.0%) patients were in more deprived group. Baseline characteristics, admission blood profile and reason for admission were evenly matched in both groups. Outcomes were comparable in both groups: transfer to critical care (27.4% vs 27.3%, p 0.991), intubation (18.8% vs 20.2%, p 0.853), 30-day all-cause mortality (19.7% vs 14.5%, p 0.416) and overall poor outcome (30.8% vs 30.9%, p 0.985). Median time to discharge was 7 days longer (17 vs 10 days, p=0.018) and median time to death was 4.5 days longer in more deprived group (17 vs 12.5 days, p=0.388). Contrary to recent literature on COVID-19 in other geographical areas, our study suggests that the SES does not have any impact on outcome of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, however it negatively impacts length of stay. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.