Impact of Comorbidity Burden on Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 Using the Korean Health Insurance Database

The study analyzed data from 7,590 COVID-19 patients in South Korea and found that comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic diseases significantly increased mortality risk, with the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) being a strong predictor. Older age and comorbidities were crucial in determining COVID-19 severity, suggesting that these factors should guide healthcare resource allocation. The study noted a lower mortality rate in South Korea, possibly due to the younger population and fewer comorbidities. Limitations included reliance on diagnosis codes, which might have affected risk estimation.