Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19), caused by the severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused an
unprecedented global social and economic impact, and numerous deaths.
Many risk factors have been identified in the progression of COVID-19
into a severe and critical stage, including old age, male gender,
underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity,
chronic lung disease, heart, liver and kidney diseases, tumors,
clinically apparent immunodeficiencies, local immunodeficiencies, such
as early type-I interferon secretion capacity, and pregnancy. Possible
complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock,
disseminated coagulopathy, acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, and
secondary bacterial pneumonia. The development of lymphopenia and
eosinopenia are laboratory indicators of COVID-19. Laboratory parameters
to monitor disease progression include lactate dehydrogenase,
procalcitonin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, proinflammatory
cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, Krebs von den Lungen-6
(KL-6) and ferritin. The development of a cytokine storm and extensive
chest computed tomography imaging patterns are indicators of a severe
disease. In addition, socioeconomic status, diet, lifestyle,
geographical differences, ethnicity, exposed viral load, day of
initiation of treatment, and quality of health care have been reported
to influence individual outcomes. In this review, we highlight the
scientific evidence on the risk factors of COVID-19.