Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted at the federal medical center, abeokuta

Abstract

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to ravage the world as a pandemic, there is a paucity of data in resource poor countries like ours on the clinical characteristics of these patients. Aim: The aim of our study was to find the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted in our facility between May and July 2020. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on COVID-19 patients admitted during the study period. Their baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory details were obtained from their clinical notes, recorded electronically, and analyzed. Results: Twenty-six COVID-19 patients were admitted during this period, with a mean age of 47.19 (standard deviation 16.56) years, and more males 16 (61.5%). Fever was the most common complaint 17 (65.4%), followed by breathlessness 15 (57.7%), weakness 11 (42.3%), and cough 9 (34.6%). Hypoxemia (SPO2 <93%) was present in 10 (38.5%) of patients at admission, with dyspnea being the most common abnormality on general physical examination 20 (76.9%). Eleven (42.3%) patients had associated comorbidities with hypertension being the most common 7 (43.7%), followed by diabetes mellitus 4 (25.0%). Just 3 (11.5%) patients had mild disease, 13 (50.0%) had moderate disease, and 10 (38.5%) had severe disease. Lower respiratory tract infection or suspected COVID-19 was the initial diagnosis in 10 (38.5%) of patients at admission, while 16 (61.5%) were admitted with other diagnosis. Leukocytosis was found in 8 (30.8%) patients, 14 (53.8%) patients had anemia, elevated urea in 20 (76.9%), and elevated Creatinine in 11 (42.3%). Seventeen (65.4%) patients were discharged home, 2 (7.7%) referred to another center for hemodialysis, while 7 (26.9%) died. Conclusion: Understanding the clinical and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 in our local environment will be integral to earlier identification and treatment outcomes for our patients.