Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases are the main factors that increased the risk of dying from COVID-19 in Quebec.
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It is the first time since the start of the pandemic that such precise figures on risk factors have been obtained in people who have died of coronavirus in Quebec.
The data were provided by the Ministry of Health following a request for access to information from our Office of Investigation.
They are taken from the forms filled out by the doctors during each of the deaths caused by COVID-19, between March and June 2.
At the top of the list, we find cardiovascular diseases as the main risk factor. They are mentioned as an additional cause of death in 12.1% of deaths attributable to the coronavirus.
This is followed by hypertension (11.2%), then diabetes (7.3%), and then respiratory illnesses (7.2%).
We also note that “neurological or neuromuscular disorders”, a very broad term, are cited in 9.6% of cases.
Note that physicians are not required to add a risk factor or pre-existing condition when filling out the death form.
In the majority of cases, 81% of the forms, they do not mention any, according to the Ministry of Health.
Not a surprise
But generally speaking, this data is not a surprise.
They resemble those of studies already published elsewhere in the world on this subject.
Doctors practicing in the field are also not surprised. This is the case of Dr. Michel De Marchie, an intensivist at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.
“Diabetes, cardiovascular disease is very important, probably the two most important factors. Add to that hypertension, and I think it’s an undeniable trilogy, “he said in an interview.
Post-partum
Furthermore, the document from the Ministry of Health contains surprising data. The risk factor “postpartum <= 6 weeks", ie a woman who gave birth six weeks or less, is associated with 0.1% of cases.
In other words, at least one woman died of COVID-19 in Quebec after giving birth, according to the ministry’s data.
► Additional causes of death attributable to COVID-19
- Cardiovascular disease: 12.1%
- Hypertension : 11,2 %
- Neurological or neuromuscular disorders: 9.6%
- Diabetes: 7.3%
- Respiratory disease: 7.2%
- Kidney disease: 5%
- Cancer : 4,4 %
- Severe obesity: 1.5%
- Liver disease: 1.1%
- Smoking: 0.9%
- Post-partum : < = 0,1 %
* Source: Department of Health and Social Services.
– With the collaboration of Philippe Langlois
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