Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022

Abstract Background Serious outcomes of COVID-19 may include admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Multiple risk factors exist which may contribute to these outcomes. The aim of the study, employing a large national dataset, was to assess roles of smoking, body mass index, metabolic an...

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Main Authors: Shiraz Syed, Cecily Kelleher, Patricia Fitzpatrick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24057-5
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author Shiraz Syed
Cecily Kelleher
Patricia Fitzpatrick
author_facet Shiraz Syed
Cecily Kelleher
Patricia Fitzpatrick
author_sort Shiraz Syed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Serious outcomes of COVID-19 may include admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Multiple risk factors exist which may contribute to these outcomes. The aim of the study, employing a large national dataset, was to assess roles of smoking, body mass index, metabolic and underlying clinical conditions in ICU admissions and death among those with COVID-19 in Ireland. Methods The analysis comprised all 1.4 million adult patients who tested positive with COVID-19 between April 2020 and December 2022. A pseudonymised dataset from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) was used; informed consent was waived by the National Health Research Consent Declaration Committee. Key variables above were used, employing both univariate and multivariate analysis. Outcomes were ICU admission and death with COVID-19. Results Mean age was 42 years (Standard Deviation (SD) 16.8) and 53% were males. Those admitted to hospital were older (59.2 (14.2)) than those who died (74.9 (12.0)). Increased odds ratios (95% CI) each significantly associated with ICU admission in multivariate models were, current/ex-smokers (2.4 (2.2–2.6)), males (1.8, (1.7–1.9)), and individuals with an underlying clinical condition (10.2 (7.9–13.2)). Odds of death were also significantly increased in presence of an underlying condition (186.129 (137.987-251.066)) but not when age was taken into account as an interaction term. Conclusion This comprehensive study confirmed international findings associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19. Whilst clinical indications for ICU admission and overall mortality may differ in hospitalised patients, the main drivers of mortality are age, underlying conditions and disease severity, irrespective of location.
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spelling doaj-art-d9275dbd39934ee9abbb06aecf0258122025-08-24T11:55:33ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-012511910.1186/s12889-025-24057-5Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022Shiraz Syed0Cecily Kelleher1Patricia Fitzpatrick2Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS TrustCollege of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College DublinSchool of Public Health Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College DublinAbstract Background Serious outcomes of COVID-19 may include admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Multiple risk factors exist which may contribute to these outcomes. The aim of the study, employing a large national dataset, was to assess roles of smoking, body mass index, metabolic and underlying clinical conditions in ICU admissions and death among those with COVID-19 in Ireland. Methods The analysis comprised all 1.4 million adult patients who tested positive with COVID-19 between April 2020 and December 2022. A pseudonymised dataset from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) was used; informed consent was waived by the National Health Research Consent Declaration Committee. Key variables above were used, employing both univariate and multivariate analysis. Outcomes were ICU admission and death with COVID-19. Results Mean age was 42 years (Standard Deviation (SD) 16.8) and 53% were males. Those admitted to hospital were older (59.2 (14.2)) than those who died (74.9 (12.0)). Increased odds ratios (95% CI) each significantly associated with ICU admission in multivariate models were, current/ex-smokers (2.4 (2.2–2.6)), males (1.8, (1.7–1.9)), and individuals with an underlying clinical condition (10.2 (7.9–13.2)). Odds of death were also significantly increased in presence of an underlying condition (186.129 (137.987-251.066)) but not when age was taken into account as an interaction term. Conclusion This comprehensive study confirmed international findings associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19. Whilst clinical indications for ICU admission and overall mortality may differ in hospitalised patients, the main drivers of mortality are age, underlying conditions and disease severity, irrespective of location.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24057-5Lifestyle factorsObesitySmokingHigh BMIPoor outcome in COVID-19ICU admission
spellingShingle Shiraz Syed
Cecily Kelleher
Patricia Fitzpatrick
Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
BMC Public Health
Lifestyle factors
Obesity
Smoking
High BMI
Poor outcome in COVID-19
ICU admission
title Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
title_full Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
title_fullStr Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
title_full_unstemmed Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
title_short Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
title_sort factors affecting covid 19 outcomes in ireland findings from a national database of 1 408 249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022
topic Lifestyle factors
Obesity
Smoking
High BMI
Poor outcome in COVID-19
ICU admission
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24057-5
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