Frequency of ABO blood groups and its relationship with clinical and paraclinical findings, severity, and outcome of COVID-19

The clinical course of COVID-19 is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to investigate the frequencies of ABO blood groups and their relationship with clinical, and paraclinical findings, severity, and outcomes of COVID-19 in Kashan, Iran.

In this retrospective study, medical records of COVID-19 patients admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, between 2020 and 2022, were reviewed. Demographic data, ABO blood groups, disease severity, clinical course, and outcomes were analyzed.

Among 350 COVID-19 patients, 36% had blood group O, 31.4% A, 25.4% B, and 7.2% AB. Only the frequency of cough showed a significant difference among blood groups (P<0.05), with the highest frequency in blood group B (76.4%). Patients with blood group A had lower mean SPO2 levels compared to other groups (P<0.05). The mortality rate was highest in blood group A (10.9%) compared to AB (8%), O (4.8%), and B (1.1%) (P<0.05). Laboratory findings, disease severity, imaging results, hospitalization duration, and ICU admission did not differ significantly among different blood groups (P>0.05).

Despite a higher frequency of blood group O among COVID-19 patients, those with blood group A exhibited higher mortality rates. Clinical symptoms, laboratory results, imaging findings, and other outcomes did not show significant associations with ABO blood groups in COVID-19 patients.