METHODS: Literatures were searched using different keywords in various databases. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated by RevMan software where statistical significance was set as p < 0.05.
RESULTS: COVID-19 male patients were associated with significantly increased risk of mortality compared to females (RR 1.86: 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-2.07; p < 0.00001). Patients with age ≥50 years were associated with 15.4-folds significantly increased risk of mortality compared to patients with age <50 years (RR 15.44: 95% CI 13.02-18.31; p < 0.00001). Comorbidities were also associated with significantly increased risk of mortality; kidney disease (RR 4.90: 95% CI 3.04-7.88; p < 0.00001), cereborovascular disease (RR 4.78; 95% CI 3.39-6.76; p < 0.00001), cardiovascular disease (RR 3.05: 95% CI 2.20-4.25; p < 0.00001), respiratory disease (RR 2.74: 95% CI 2.04-3.67; p < 0.00001), diabetes (RR 1.97: 95% CI 1.48-2.64; p < 0.00001), hypertension (RR 1.95: 95% CI 1.58-2.40; p < 0.00001), and cancer (RR 1.89; 95% CI 1.25-2.84; p = 0.002) but not liver disease (RR 1.64: 95% CI 0.82-3.28; p= 0.16).
CONCLUSION: Implementation of adequate protection and interventions for COVID-19 patients in general and in particular male patients with age ≥50 years having comorbidities may significantly reduce risk of mortality associated with COVID-19.