COVID-19 patients can be classified into 3 types: Researchers

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Researchers have now identified that there are three different types of disease traits in patients
The patients are categorised in three phenotypes I, II and III, where I is the most dangerous
The study will help in targeting most risk-prone individuals

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Updated: April 03 2021 08:28:27 PM ET Minneapolis, MN, USA

There have been many studies related to COVID-19 disease since the pandemic started in March last year. Researchers have now identified that there are three different types of disease traits in patients. The traits depend upon co-morbidities, clinical outcomes and complications. The study will help in targeting most risk- prone individuals.

The study has been published in PLOS ONE journal, analysed the electronic health records (EHRs) from hospitals and primary care clinics across midwestern United States.

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As per the research, 7,538 people tested positive with COVID-19 virus from March 7 and August 25, 2020. 1,022 patients from the total required hospitalisation. Around 60% of the patients in the research were categorised as “phenotype II” and 23% of the patients were presented with “phenotype I”, which were linked with worst clinical outcomes.

The people who were categorised as phenotype I were the patients that had highest level of co-morbidities linked to heart and kidney. While, the third type “phenotype III” was a favourable category with best clinical outcomes, who consisted around 17% of total patients.

Though, the people with phenotype I were considered as patients with very less complications, the study said that these were the group with most respiratory co-morbidities. Looking at the research, the two types, I and II were associated with 7.30 times and 2.57 times respectively increase in death in comparison with type III.

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Based on the results, the scientists said such phenotype-specific medical care could improve COVID-19 outcomes.

However, they believe further studies are needed to determine the utility of these findings in clinical practice.

“Patients do not suffer from COVID-19 in a uniform matter. By identifying similarly affected groups, we not only improve our understanding of the disease process, but this enables us to precisely target future interventions to the highest risk patients,” the scientists added.