The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes: a meta-analysis study

Sevda Sungur; Selma Metintaş; Ali Kılınç; Didem Oktar; Muhammed Fatih Önsüz

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20232113

Authors

Sevda Sungur Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Selma Metintaş Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Ali Kılınç Beyşehir County Health Directorate, Konya, Türkiye
Didem Oktar Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Muhammed Fatih Önsüz Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Türkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20232113

Keywords:

Nursing homes, COVID-19, Older adult, Meta-analysis, Mortality rate

Abstract

Severe impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and the morbidity and mortality rates in nursing home residents can be higher than in the community during a pandemic. This study aimed to meta-analyse the COVID-19 attack, fatality and mortality rates among nursing home residents and to meta-analyse the risk ratio values by comparing these rates with those of the countries in which the nursing homes are located. The data was obtained from COVID-19 attack, mortality, and fatality rates of nursing home residents. Additional meta-analysis was performed using risk ratio calculated by dividing the data obtained from nursing homes by the expected numbers calculated using case, death, and population data from COVID-19. A total of 6,758,241 COVID-19 patients from 8 different countries and 19 studies were included during the meta-analysis study period. In nursing home residents compared to the general population, the risk ratio (95%CI) for COVID-19 attack rate was 148.19 (99.45 to 220.82), the mortality rate was 341.16 (211.94 to 549.15), and the fatality rate was 2.36 (1.90 to 2.93) (each p<0.001). A meta-analysis of well-documented studies has shown that community morbidity and mortality rates can reach higher levels compared to community during a pandemic. Finding the exact causes can only be achieved after adjusting nursing home infection rates with regional rates. To ensure better community management of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future pandemics, preventive measures should be taken earlier.

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