Abstract
The world is currently facing unprecedented challenges due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The age distribution of COVID-19 related mortality has not been detailed in the literature. The present review aims to summarize the findings of published studies on the association between age as a risk factor and mortality from COVID- 19. In this review, two phases search was conducted for all articles published in various databases on COVID-19 including PubMed, WHO Global Research, Google Scholar databases, and COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 preprints from medRxiv and bioRxiv by using MeSH-compliant keywords including COVID-19, mortality, and case fatality on April 1st, 2020, and on April 11th, 2020. All type of articles published about age-related COVID-19 mortality were included. The review of a total of 15 final articles published in this area revealed that COVID-19 case fatality ratio (CFR) was higher in older age groups than younger people. It was not certain why the elderly displays a higher risk for COVID-19 mortality. Simulation models revealed that patients with comorbidities have five times higher risk to die from COVID- 19 infection. Older age, comorbidities, chest pain and dyspnea on admission were predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients. We conclude that the findings from the present review may assist in the identification of COVID-19 high-risk population and predictions of mortality patterns.