Introduction:

The elderly may represent a specific group of patients at high risk for developing COVID-19 with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration. In fact, in older individuals, immunosenescence and comorbid disorders are more likely to promote a virus-induced cytokine storm resulting in life-threatening respiratory failure and multi-system compromise.

Material and methods:

A descriptive study of the geriatric population with COVID-19 disease attended at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Mexico City, Mexico in the period March-May 2020 was carried out. 35 hospitalized adult patients over 60 years were confirmed by RT PCR. for COVID-19 disease in pharyngeal exudate. Descriptive statistics were used and results were expressed using measures of central tendency.

Results:

A total sample of 35 patients was analyzed. 62.85% were male (n = 22). Systemic arterial hypertension was documented in 51.42% (n = 18), obesity in 48.57% (n = 17) and diabetes mellitus in 34.28% (n = 12). The severity of the COVID-19 disease at the time of hospital admission was: mild in 22.85% (n = 8), moderate in 42.85% (n = 15) and severe or critical in 34.28% (n = 12). 80% (n = 28) consulted after presenting symptoms for more than five days. The tomographic findings were ground glass pattern in 82.85% (n = 29), consolidation in 14.28% (n = 5) and «crazy paving» in only one patient (2.8%). The mortality registered in geriatric patients with COVID-19 was 68.57%.

Conclusions:

The geriatric population is considered vulnerable for the development of COVID-19 disease and for fatal outcomes. Patients with moderate disease should be closely monitored as they tend to eventually develop critical forms. The fatality of COVID-19 disease in older adult patients is high.