Relationship between the ABO Blood Group with COVID-19 Susceptibility in Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Objective: To determine the relationship between the ABO Blood Group and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection in patients from Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH), Muzaffargarh, Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This cross–sectional study conducted at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH), Muzaffargarrh in the department of Internal Medicine.228 PCR positive COVID–19 patients were recruited using non–probability purposive sampling technique. Institutional Ethical Review Committee granted permission to conduct this study and these 228 PCR positive patients were included after taking informed consent, informing them objectives and procedures of the study. Baseline characteristics like gender and age were noted, blood sample was taken and sent to the hospital laboratory for blood grouping. All gathered information was noted in the study questionnaire. 

Results: Out Of these 228 COVID–19 patients, 187 (82%) were male patients and 41 (18%) were female patients. Mean age of these patients was 41.21± 17.64 years (range; 4 – 80 years). Mean age of the male patients was 42.15 ± 17.52 years versus 36.93 ± 17.76 years (p = 0.086) while 126 (55.3%) patients were aged up to 40 years. Blood group-B was noted in 79 patients (34.6%), Blood group-O in 65 patients (28.5%), and Blood group-A in 61 patients (26.8%) and Blood group-AB was noted in 23 patients (10.1%).

Conclusion: In our study, Blood group-B was most prevalent among COVID–19 patients followed by blood group- O, blood group-A and AB, respectively in our population. Blood groups were not significantly associated with regards to gender and age of the patients.