Case-control study on smoking and chronic diseases as risk factors for COVID-19

Authors

  • Guido Guida Acevedo
  • Evelyn Betancourt Rubio

Keywords:

COVID-19, cases and controls, smoking, chronic diseases, Odds Ratio

Abstract

Introduction: Exploring the relationship between smoking, chronic disease, and hospitalization for COVID-19 is essential to identify significant risk factors in the fight against this pandemic.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether smoking and chronic diseases are associated with a higher or lower risk of hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients in a hospital in Ecuador.

Methods: The study with case-control design was a relational, observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and analytical research study. The population consisted of 166 patients (83 cases and 83 controls). The Odds Ratio and Pearson's Chi-square test were used to quantify the risk, using SPSS 26 software.

Results: 68.7 % of the patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were smokers, compared to 37.3 % in those not hospitalized. Smoking was associated with a 3.7-fold increased risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 (95 % CI 1.9-7.0). 61.4 % of hospitalized patients had chronic diseases, versus 39.8 % of non-hospitalized patients. Chronic disease was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of hospitalization (95 % CI 1.3-4.5).

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that both smoking and chronic disease are independent risk factors associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in this patient population in Ecuador. These findings highlight the need to focus preventive efforts on these vulnerable groups.

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Published

2024-04-07

How to Cite

1.
Guida Acevedo G, Betancourt Rubio E. Case-control study on smoking and chronic diseases as risk factors for COVID-19. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 7 [cited 2025 Jul. 12];43. Available from: https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3274