Charlson comorbidity index and a composite of poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolic syndrome clinical research & reviews Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 2103 - 2109
• Main Authors: Tuty Kuswardhani, R.A., Henrina, Joshua, Pranata, Raymond, Anthonius Lim, Michael, Lawrensia, Sherly, Suastika, Ketut
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2020; Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Charlson comorbidity index; Comorbidity - trends; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - mortality; COVID-19 - therapy; Hospitalization - trends; Humans; Mechanical ventilation; Mortality; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment - trends; Severity; COVID-19; Severity; Mechanical ventilation; Mortality; Charlson comorbidity index
• ISSN: 1871-4021; 1878-0334; 1878-0334
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.10.022

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting patients with comorbidities. Therefore, thorough comorbidities assessment can help establish risk stratification of patients with COVID-19, upon hospital admission. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a validated, simple, and readily applicable method of estimating the risk of death from comorbid disease and has been widely used as a predictor of long-term prognosis and survival.
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of CCI score and a composite of poor outcomes through several databases.
Compared to a CCI score of 0, a CCI score of 1–2 and CCI score of ≥3 was prognostically associated with mortality and associated with a composite of poor outcomes. Per point increase of CCI score also increased mortality risk by 16%. Moreover, a higher mean CCI score also significantly associated with mortality and disease severity.
CCI score should be utilized for risk stratifications of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting patients with comorbidities.•Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) has been widely used as a predictor of long-term prognosis and survival.•Higher and per point increase of CCI Score is associated with poor outcomes.•CCI score should be utilized for risk stratifications of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.