# Blood Group Type and COVID-19 Severity at Tertiary Care Centre, Nepal: An Observational Study

## TL;DR

This study found that people with A positive blood group were more common among both mild and severe cases of COVID-19 in Nepal.

## Contribution

The study provides local evidence on the association between ABO blood types and COVID-19 severity in Nepal.

## Key findings

- A positive blood group was more prevalent in mild and severe COVID-19 cases.
- 31.45% of mild cases and 39.04% of severe cases had A positive blood group.
- Most patients were male and aged 21-40 years.

## Abstract

The respiratory infection with COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 and was later declared a global pandemic by the world health organization. Clinical observations suggest the role of ABO blood types in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. The study was designed to find the proportion of blood group distribution across the severity of COVID-19 patients.

This is an observational cross-section study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. All COVID-19 patient visiting hospital within January to December 2021 were included in the study. Their demographic profile, blood group and COVID-19 severity were recorded. Descriptive analysis of the date was done.

There were 399 confirmed case of COVID-19 during study period, out of which 278 (69.7%) were male and 198 (49.62%) were aged between 21-40 years. There were 78 (31.45%) amongst mild COVID-19 and 32 (39.04%) amongst severe COVID-19 (Bilateral Pneumonia) having A positive blood group.

The study suggests that patients with blood group A positive were more in the mild COVID-19, severe COVID-19 group.