A study shows the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on Black and Asian populations

Patients from Asian and black backgrounds suffered disproportionate levels of premature death from COVID-19, according to a study of 1,737 patients by Queen Mary University of London and Barts NHS Health Trust.

The study, published in BMJ Open, is one of the most comprehensive studies examining COVID-19 outcomes in black, Asian and minority ethnic populations to date, from one of the largest and most diverse COVID-19 hospitals in the UK, representing an ethnically diverse majority (just 35.2 per cent of patients identified as white ethnicity).

The work came as a result of a new interdisciplinary collaboration between intensive care physicians and HIV physicians. The researchers looked at data from all patients aged 16 and over with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and were admitted to the five acute hospitals within the Barts NHS Health Trust, between 1 January and 13 May. 2020.

• 1,737 patients were admitted to the study and 511 had died by day 30 (29 percent).
• 538 patients (31 percent) were from Asian backgrounds, 340 (20 percent) black and 707 (40 percent).
• Compared with white patients, those from ethnic minorities were younger and weaker.
• Asian patients were 1.54 times more likely, and black patients 1.8 times more likely, to be admitted to ICU and receive aggressive ventilation, compared to white patients.
• After adjusting for age and gender, patients from Asian backgrounds were 1.49 times more likely to die compared to those from white backgrounds, and patients from black backgrounds were 1.30 times more likely to die.
• Asian and black patients were 50-80 percent more at risk of receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU compared to white patients of the same age.

Dr Yize Wan, Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary University London and Special Registrar in Intensive Care Medicine & Anesthesia at Barts NHS Health Trust, said: “Our study shows the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black groups. and Asian in the first peak. and Asian people admitted to Barts Health hospitals with COVID-19 were significantly younger, had more infectious disease, and higher mortality compared to white patients of the same age and baseline health.

“As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt in our community, the importance of responding to the racial differences recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to its prevention and prevention. influencing future generations. “

A validated community-based participatory study to understand the drivers of these differences, and the co-creation of critical solutions to achieve health equality in these communities. “

Dr Vanessa Apea, Consultant Physician in Sexual Health and HIV, Barts NHS Health Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University London

The researchers warn that although a large number of patients were in the study, it was not possible to study racial breakdown in more detail and it may not reflect the heterogeneity within regions. ethnicity (such as Bangladeshi, Pakistan, black African or black Caribbean).

Separately, two members of the research team – Dr Vanessa Apea and Professor Chloe Orkin from Queen Mary and Barts Health – are delivering a new study to understand why the COVID-19 virus is having such a huge impact on communities. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and dealing with the smaller population in these groups.

The Amplifying Lives study, funded by Barts Charity, will gain an in-depth insight into the causes of COVID-19 based on the live experience of East London’s diverse ethnic communities, through interviews and questionnaires. The researchers work directly with local residents to understand their lives before, and during, COVID-19.