Abstract
Background and objectives: We aimed to analyze factors associated with the period of viral shedding in patients with confirmed COVID-19 who experienced only mild symptoms. Materials and methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study from three community treatment centers (CTCs) of South Korea. All patients included were admitted to the three centers before 31 March 2020. We collected data about clinical characteristics and the result of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Viral shedding was terminated within 32 days and 36 days in 75% and 90% of patients, respectively (range: 8–49 days). The mean period of viral shedding was 23.8 ± 8.7 days. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the existence of underlying comorbidities lowered the probability of the termination of viral shedding (HR = 0.561, 95% CI 0.388–0.812). Female sex and presence of COVID-19-associated symptoms also lowered the probability, but the significance was marginal. Conclusions: The existence of underlying comorbidities was associated with delayed termination of viral shedding in COVID-19 patients with mild severity.
Highlights
At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus that causes a cluster of pneumonia was found in Wuhan, China [1]
A total of 588 patients were admitted to the abovementioned community treatment centers (CTCs) and 21 patients were transferred to the hospitals
20 patients who were initially admitted to the CTC at Cheonan were transferred to the Jecheon center in the middle of their isolation
Summary
At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus that causes a cluster of pneumonia was found in Wuhan, China [1]. It has been spreading rapidly and has resulted in an epidemic throughout China and the rest of the world. We aimed to analyze factors associated with the period of viral shedding in patients with confirmed COVID-19 who experienced only mild symptoms. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the existence of underlying comorbidities lowered the probability of the termination of viral shedding (HR = 0.561, 95% CI 0.388–0.812). Conclusions: The existence of underlying comorbidities was associated with delayed termination of viral shedding in COVID-19 patients with mild severity
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have