Predictors of COVID-19 severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#covid-19 #comorbidity #humans #risk-factors #symptom-assessment

Predictors of COVID-19 severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mudatsir et al., 2020 | F1000Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Mudatsir Mudatsir, Fajar Jonny Karunia, ... Harapan Harapan. Predictors of COVID-19 severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. F1000Res. 2020;9:1107. doi:10.12688/f1000research.26186.2

Abstract

Background: The unpredictability of the progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be attributed to the low precision of the tools used to predict the prognosis of this disease. Objective: To identify the predictors associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Methods: Relevant articles from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched as of April 5, 2020. The quality of the included papers was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Data of interest were collected and evaluated for their compatibility for the meta-analysis. Cumulative calculations to determine the correlation and effect estimates were performed using the Z test. Results: In total, 19 papers recording 1,934 mild and 1,644 severe cases of COVID-19 were included. Based on the initial evaluation, 62 potential risk factors were identified for the meta-analysis. Several comorbidities, including chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were observed more frequent among patients with severe COVID-19 than with the mild ones. Compared to the mild form, severe COVID-19 was associated with symptoms such as dyspnea, anorexia, fatigue, increased respiratory rate, and high systolic blood pressure. Lower levels of lymphocytes and hemoglobin; elevated levels of leukocytes, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, high-sensitivity troponin, creatine kinase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, D-dimer, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and procalcitonin; and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also associated with severe COVID-19. Conclusion: More than 30 risk factors are associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19. These may serve as useful baseline parameters in the development of prediction tools for COVID-19 prognosis.

Key Findings

In total, 19 papers recording 1,934 mild and 1,644 severe cases of COVID-19 were included. Based on the initial evaluation, 62 potential risk factors were identified for the meta-analysis. Several comorbidities, including chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were observed more frequent among patients with severe COVID-19 than with the mild ones. Compared to the mild form, severe COVID-19 was associated with symptoms such as dyspnea, anorexia, f

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population covid
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • COVID-19
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Symptom Assessment

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09