https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1618-4142
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Abstract
Purpose
Evidence to date suggests that having chronic conditions increases the probability of severe illness from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, it is essential to identify the features of those patients. The purpose of this research was to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with chronic conditions.
Patients and Methods
A retrospective cross-sectional single-center study was conducted using electronic medical records of hospitalized COVID-19 patients between March 1, 2020, and May 20, 2020. Patients’ basic information, laboratory test, clinical data, medications, and outcome data have been extracted and compared among three groups: patients without chronic conditions, patients with one chronic condition, and patients with two or more chronic conditions. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, and the Mann–Whitney U-test were used.
Results
The study population was 458 patients, with an average age of 38.8 years (standard deviation (SD) 12.8). There were 398 (86.9%) males in the study population, most of them with one chronic condition. There were 14 (14.3%) smokers, and the majority of them were among patients with two or more chronic conditions. Longer hospital stay and time in the intensive care unit (ICU), a higher probability of ICU admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation were identified among patients with two or more chronic conditions. Dyspnea, an increased level of platelet counts, and a reduction in hemoglobin levels were discovered among patients with two or more chronic conditions.
Conclusion
Patients with more chronic conditions were at higher risk of yielding poor clinical outcomes. Prevention and treatment of infections in these patients merit more attention.
Abbreviations
COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; ICU, Intensive Care Unit; WHO, World Health Organization; KSA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; STROBE, STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology; PMAH, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz hospital; BMI, body mass index; HbA1c, Hemoglobin A1c; UACR, urinary albumin creatinine ratio; eGFR, glomerular filtration rate; LDL-C, Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Consent-to-Participate
The study protocol and study methodology were approved by the Ministry of Health’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The permissions from the Ministry of Health (MoH) as well as the hospital management were obtained to conduct this study.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude to the Saudi Association for Scientific Research (SASR) for the logistic support they provided during the project.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.