Title: Comparison of Severity of COVID-19 Infections between Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Patients with Comorbidities in the Third Wave
Authors: Dr Megha Sridhar, Dr Sheshan V S, Dr Yashwant N S, Dr Channabasavaraj B, Dr Narayanswamy M
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v11i5.05
Abstract
Introduction: Vaccination has proven to be the most effective weapon in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was undertaken to compare the severity of infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients with comorbidities during third wave in India.
Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study included 671 patient admitted in a Bengaluru tertiary care hospital, categorized in to two groups : the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. These groups were further classified into subgroups based on severity of infection and comorbidities [DM, HTN, IHD, CKD]. The patient’s data concerning medical history, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and radiological parameters were extracted from their medical records for subsequent evaluation, interpretation, and association among the groups.
Results: Out of the 671 samples, mean age was 52yrs, 398(59.3%) were males and 273(40.7%) were female patients. Majority of the patients were aged between 51-70yrs. It was observed that 386 were fully vaccinated,162 were not vaccinated and 123 were partially vaccinated. Diabetic and Hypertensive patients with completed vaccination status were more likely to have asymptomatic or mild-moderate disease compared to the unvaccinated or the partially vaccinated groups In the subgroups of patients with CKD and IHD, it was found that unvaccinated patients had a higher percentage of severe disease compared to the completely vaccinated groups. This was statistically proved to be significant across the 4 co morbidities: Diabetes, Hypertension , Ischaemic Heart Disease [ IHD] and Chronic Kidney Disease [ CKD].
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines are effective at substantially mitigating the severity of the infection even in individuals with comorbidities, who are more susceptible for worse outcomes. Widespread vaccination will remain a major goal to prevent future breakouts and to prevent severe infections.
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