Project 466867

Those with substance use disorders (SUDs) have been identified as a vulnerable population who are at risk for severe COVID-19 comorbidities and may have intersecting vulnerabilities deterring them from accessing timely medical attention. US samples have shown increased risk of hospitalization, ventilator use, and mortality in COVID-19 patients who have SUDs. However, there is no clear evidence demonstrating if similar trends exist in a Canadian sample. Thus, my research questions are a) What are the risks of COVID-related hospitalization and mortality in Canadian individuals with SUDs compared to general COVID-19 patients? b) What are potential risk factors for COVID-related hospitalization and mortality in individuals with SUDs? The proposed study involves a retrospective case-control chart review of hospital electronic medical records (EMR) from hospitals in Ontario. Demographic information, comorbidities, prevalence of SUD, and negative COVID-19 outcomes of mortality and hospitalization will be assessed directly from EMR data using descriptive statistics. Baseline characteristics will be compared using chi-square tests and t-tests. Logistic regression models will be performed to compare hospitalization and death rates between COVID-19 patients with SUD and general COVID-19 patients. Multiple linear regression models will be performed on demographic information and comorbidities to analyze the strength and nature of the association between these characteristics and negative health outcomes in COVID-19 patients with SUD.