ABSTRACT
Older adults experienced disproportionate levels of morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by physiological senescence and multi-morbidity. This research evaluates the clinical features, biochemical markers, and survival outcomes of elderly patients within a tertiary care environment in Kerala. We conducted a retrospective, record-oriented analysis of 626 COVID-19-positive individuals (age ≥60) admitted to T.D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, between June 2020 and January 2021. Statistical associations between demographics, laboratory indices, and clinical outcomes were determined using IBM SPSS version 25. The study population was mostly male (57.7%), with the majority falling in the 60–70 age bracket. Fatigue (58.6%) was the primary clinical complaint, whereas pyrexia was notably absent in many cases. Hypertension (67.3%) was the most prevalent underlying condition. A significant mortality risk was identified in Category C patients (33.9%), those with an admission SpO₂ below 90% (46.0%), and individuals with pre-existing cardiac disease. High ESR, D-dimer, and ferritin levels, along with sodium and potassium imbalances, served as robust predictors of mortality. Conversely, standard antiviral and corticosteroid therapies did not show a correlation with improved survival in this specific cohort. COVID-19 in the elderly frequently presents with non-classical symptoms, complicating early detection. Management should prioritize the monitoring of inflammatory markers and electrolyte levels, as conventional pharmacotherapy demonstrated limited benefit in this demographic.
Keywords: Geriatric COVID-19, Clinical Profile, Laboratory Markers, Kerala, Mortality, Comorbidities.
Publication Date: 2026-06-14