Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19
Published on: May 25, 2022
Clinical Manifestation of Patients Who Died Due to COVID-19; A Retrospective Study from Qom-Iran
Ahmad Hormati1,2, Seyed Yaser Foroghi Ghomi3, Masoudreza Sohrabi2
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Insights
This study identified key indicators of COVID-19 progression in non-surviving patients. Elevated creatinine, neutrophil counts, and inflammatory markers, along with low lymphocyte counts, are critical factors for monitoring disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical pathology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding factors influencing COVID-19 progression is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of non-surviving COVID-19 patients.
- To identify probable factors associated with disease progression in fatal COVID-19 cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospitalized adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
- Data collection from electronic medical records and patient relatives.
- Utilized a checklist for demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatment data.
Main Results:
- Fifty non-surviving patients (mean age 68.0 years, 58% male) were analyzed.
- Common comorbidities included hypertension (54%); significant findings were neutrophilia (54%) and lymphopenia (58%).
- Elevated creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were frequently observed.
Conclusions:
- Age and pre-existing conditions are important factors in COVID-19 mortality.
- Elevated creatinine, neutrophil count, inflammatory indices, and reduced lymphocyte count indicate disease progression.
- These markers are vital for patient admission and surveillance strategies.
Background:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic health problem worldwide. In this study, we attempted to explain the clinical and laboratories characteristics of non-surviving patients, to identify the probable factors affecting disease progression.
Methods:
In a retrospective study, we assessed the data from dead adult patients who were hospitalized and laboratory diagnosed with COVID-19 during March 2020. The data were obtained from electronic medical records. Moreover, a checklist including demographic, clinical, laboratorial, imaging, and treatment data was completed for each one of the patients. In case of lack of information, a member of the research team contacted the first-degree relatives via phone.
Results:
Totally, 50 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 68.0 ± 14.1 years. Of them, 29 (58%) patients were male. Notably, the median (IQR) hospitalization time was 4.0 (2.7-6.2) days and the duration between the first symptoms to death was 10.0 (5.0-14.5) days. Also, pre-existing morbidity was reported in 42 (84%) patients, and hypertension was the most common one with 28 (54%) patients. Interestingly, body temperature more than 37.5°C was reported in only 20 (40%) patients. Nevertheless, neutrophilia (≥7109/L) and lymphopenia (<1.0 109/L) were observed in 27 (54%) and 29 (58%) patients, respectively. Also, elevated levels of creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were common, which may be indicators of aggravation of the patients' status.
Conclusion:
Besides age and underlying diseases, elevated creatinine level, neutrophil count, and the inflammatory indices along with the reduced lymphocyte count can be considered as indicators of disease progression. Hence, they should be considered for admission and surveillance of patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations