Comparative study of the clinicoepidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients of first wave and second wave admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nadiad, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background: According to other studies, second wave was different as compared to the first wave in clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to compare the clinicoepidemiological features and their effect on mortality in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients of first wave versus second wave. Materials and Methods: We carried out cross-sectional, observational, and retrospective study among two groups of COVID-19 patients of first and second wave. Each group contains a 135 patients of COVID-19 admitted at our hospital. We analyzed the demographic profile, clinical features, comorbidities, and inflammatory markers. Results: In our study, majority patients were male (67%). Majority number of the patients were between 18 and 60 years of age in both the groups. Presenting complaint of shortness of breath was significantly higher in second wave and sore throat was significantly higher in first wave. SpO2 on admission was significantly lower in second wave (93% vs. 98%). Median value of C-reactive protein (6.865 vs. 2.805), neutrophil-leucocyte ratio (4.647 vs. 2.917), and D-dimer (679.5 vs. 450) were significantly higher in second wave. Second wave had significantly higher mortality as compared to first wave (18.5% vs. 4.4%). However, level of D-dimer was found significantly higher in patients who died during first wave (6820 vs. 848). Higher mortality was seen in male patients of second wave. Conclusion: Overall higher mortality was seen during the second wave which was supported by increased in the inflammatory markers. Delta variant, late admission, increased demand of oxygen support, and intensive care unit beds may have led to higher mortality.