Table II.

Potential risk factors predisposing for severe COVID-19

Established/reported∗:

Male sex

Advanced age (>60 y)

Arterial hypertension

Diabetes mellitus

Severe bronchial or pulmonary disease

Clinically overt cardiac diseases

Active advanced cancer (solid tumor)

Active advanced hematologic neoplasm

Hereditary or acquired immunodeficiency

Cytotoxic chemotherapy inducing cytopenia

Continuous immunosuppressive therapy

Severe uncontrolled allergic asthma

Not established but discussed†:

Nicotine consumption

No previous exposure to other coronaviruses

Initial viral load

Moderate or severe adipositas

Treatment with NSAID

Treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARB

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency

Copper and/or zinc deficiency

Allergy—atopic disorders

Chronic pulmonary disease due to air pollution and smog

Bacterial superinfection in the lung

Chronic bronchitis

Pulmonary hypertension

Blood group A, B, or AB

ACE, Angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

^∗Reported in peer-reviewed journal with solid data (any evidence level).

^†Some of these factors may be underestimated and may also play a role in other models of viral infections.