(Image source from: economictimes.com)

Covid-19 has grappled the entire world, taking down the normal life of people one step at a time. People have not just lost their lives but have also experience massive downgrade to their economy in the country.

While studies are being conducted vehemently, a new study has found that the sickest covid-19 patients have similar forms of risk factors. People with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are likely at a higher risk of being at the brutal end of the disease, experiencing the worst symptoms.

The findings of this study have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It confirms the findings that the physicians across the nation have noted anecdotally.

The study has been conducted with 5700 patients of Covid-19 who have been hospitalised in New York City.

The researchers found that the underlying risk factors in all of these patients were common in the patients. According to these researchers, 57% of them had high blood pressure, 41% of them were obese and over 1/3rd of the patients were suffering from diabetes.

People with such chronic health conditions are at higher risk of the disease, reportedly need to focus on their health and take extra precautions to prevent any further risk. They are also advised to call their physicians immediately in case they start experiencing any unwarranted symptoms. Additionally, if they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, it is necessary to get immediately help.

These patients are the ones who are at higher risk of developing the disease and likely going to be the sickest from the same, as said by Karina Davidson, senior vice president at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.

The study didn’t answer why these symptoms are more prevalent in these patients and why these kinds of chronic factors impact the very ill patients of covid-19. The one thing that the researchers have found that these complications tend to further enhance the risks of other health conditions like heart disease and such.

Patients in the study with diabetes were found to have been under ventilation and even likely develop kidney problems in the long run when in the hospital.

The researchers have also reported that just fever wasn’t a very reliable sign or warning of the disease at all. Out of all the patients in their study, one one-third of them had an elevated temperature when they were checked upon arrival.

Some of the other kinds of symptoms that the individuals can look out for include cough, headache, hard time breathing, fatigue, possible loss of smell and taste. But, all of these symptoms can vary from person to person and is not standard. Looking out for these kinds of symptoms can help you cope with the situation better.

According to Davidson, Northwell Health is consistently training the medical students to go and analyse the patient charts for their symptoms.

The researchers are still not sure as to what kind of impacts the patients are likely going to have in the long run. It was reported in China that two doctors infected with the novel coronavirus who have recovered completely had a hyperpigmentation reaction on their skin, turning the skin to become dark.

These are some of the common lasting impacts that have been reported in the Covid-19 patients. Aside from these chronic conditions, people with respiratory issues and even the ones who are immuno compromised are likely at higher risks of developing the disease. Children and old people are also likely at a higher risk of developing this disease.

But, for the current study, it was reported that the majority of the patients who are in a critical condition are the ones who have conditions of diabetes, hypertension and are obese.

Further studies are being conducted to get a better idea and better glimpse into this at a bigger picture.

By Somapika Dutta