Comparison of comorbidities in the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic periods
a population-based study in Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/1984-4840.2026v28a1Keywords:
COVID-19, Comorbidity, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, PrevalenceAbstract
Objective: To compare the prevalence of comorbidities in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional, and analytical study used data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and included individuals from the five Brazilian macro-regions (Southeast, South, Midwest, North, and Northeast) diagnosed with SARS in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Descriptive and bivariate analyses using the chi-square test were performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows® (SPSS), version 24.0. In the second stage, bivariate and multiple analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression, with variables retained at a significance level of <0.05. Odds ratios (OR), adjusted odds ratios (aOR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: Comorbidities were more prevalent during the pandemic period. The aOR for individuals with SARS to have cardiovascular diseases during the pandemic was 4.85 (95% CI 4.72–4.98) compared with the prepandemic period. Individuals with SARS were also more likely to have diabetes during the pandemic (aOR 3.68; 95% CI 3.57–3.80), as well as obesity (aOR 2.56; 95% CI 2.43–2.70), compared with the pre-pandemic period. Conclusion: The data from this study suggest the need to establish reinforcement measures in primary care services to prevent complications in individuals with SARS.
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