The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently conducted a groundbreaking study examining post-hospitalization mortality rate among former Covid-19 patients. The comprehensive investigation seeks to understand the correlation between such variables as age, vaccination status, pre-existing health conditions and post-Covid mortality rate.
Key Findings from the ICMR Research on Post-Covid Mortality
Among the 14,419 former Covid-19 patients across 31 Indian medical centers examined in the study, an overall one-year post-hospitalization mortality rate of 6.5% was observed. Interestingly, around half of the patient deaths occurred within 28 days from discharge, with the risk of death decreasing as time passes post-discharge. People aged 60 and above having multiple health conditions appear to be particularly vulnerable.
The study also revealed that 17.1% of the observed cases suffer from post-Covid-19 conditions, such as cognitive abnormalities, breathlessness, difficulty in concentration, and lethargy. This study was unique in its focus on “all-cause” mortality as opposed to attributing all fatalities to Covid-19 alone. It considered other potential causes of death, including comorbidities.
Vaccination’s Role in Reducing Disease Severity
According to the ICMR study, vaccination offers approximately 60% protection against Covid-19 infection and significantly reduces disease severity during hospitalization.
Identifying Factors Leading to Higher Mortality Risks
Upon investigating the factors contributing to higher mortality risks, the study linked higher vulnerability to comorbid conditions, gender, and age. Individuals with more than one health condition were over nine times more likely to die. Further, men had a 1.3-fold higher risk, and those aged 60 and above were associated with a 2.6-fold higher risk.
Post-Covid Vulnerability in Children
Children aged 0 to 18 were found to have a 5.6 times higher risk of death between four-week and one-year follow-up. Furthermore, children with severe health conditions such as cancer and kidney disorders showed a higher risk of mortality.
Limitations of the Study
The study did not examine the long-term symptoms of Covid-19, often referred to as “long Covid.” The operational definition of Post Covid Condition (PCC) used in this study does not align completely with the definitions provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Notably, the ICMR study only performed a symptomatic assessment at four weeks’ time and none after that.
About the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
ICMR, the organization behind this study, is India’s primary body for coordinating and promoting biomedical research. Established in 1911, ICMR is funded by the Indian government through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ICMR’s primary function is to conduct, coordinate, and implement medical research that benefits society, translating medical innovations into products/processes for integration into the public health system. In addition to conducting critical research, ICMR also serves a pivotal role in human resource development and capacity building in biomedical research.