COVID-19 Hospitalization and Death: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 238,000 Patients in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the healthcare system in many countries, and bed availability has become a concern. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the hospitalization and ICU time in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods: The study covers 55,563 ICU admissions and 238,075 hospitalizations in Brazilian Health System units, from February 22, 2020, to June 7, 2021. All patients had a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. For each patient, the presence of symptoms were analyzed: fever, dyspnea, low saturation (SpO2Findings: The average stay was 14.4 days for hospitalization and 12.4 days for ICU. For hospitalizations, the highest Hazard mean values, with a positive correlation, were dyspnea 1.249 (95% CI, 1.225 to 1.273) and saturation 1.157 (95% CI, 1.137 to 1.178). In the ICU, the highest Hazards were respiratory discomfort 1.194 (95% CI, 1.161 to 1.227) and abdominal pain 1.100 (95% CI, 1.047 to 1.156). The survival decreases on average 2.27%/day (Hospitalization) and 3.27%/day (ICU). Survival by age group curves indicates that younger groups are more resistant to prolonged hospital stays than the older group.Interpretation: The hospitalization is lower in younger patients. There is higher mortality in males. Symptoms related to the respiratory tract are associated with a more extended hospital stay.Funding Information: None.Declaration of Interests: None.