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.