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Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus disease-19 patients in a large longitudinal
Muayad Aghali Merza1, Serwan Mohamamed Aswad2, Hushyar Musa Sulaiman3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Azadi Teaching Hospital, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq.
Insights
Older age and chronic conditions increase COVID-19 severity and mortality risk. This study in Iraqi Kurdistan found older individuals and those with comorbidities faced higher risks, though the region reported a low overall severe case rate.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 poses a significant global health threat.
- Understanding clinical and epidemiological characteristics is crucial for effective management.
- COVID-19 outcomes vary widely based on patient demographics and comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients.
- To identify outcomes, including severity and mortality, in a large cohort.
- To examine predictors of mortality and severity in COVID-19 patients in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort study involving 15,409 confirmed COVID-19 patients.
- Data collected from three specialized COVID-19 hospitals between March 18 and October 11, 2020.
- Binary logistic regression analysis used to examine predictors of mortality and severity.
Main Results:
- The incidence of severe/critical COVID-19 was 12.3% with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.98%.
- Severe disease and CFR increased with age, particularly in those 50 and older.
- Coexisting chronic diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes) and older age were associated with increased severity and CFR.
Conclusions:
- Iraqi Kurdistan reported a low incidence of severe COVID-19 and a low CFR.
- Patients with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and mortality.
- Older age is a significant predictor of severe/critical COVID-19 status and higher CFR.
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 patients.
Methods:
In this large cohort study, 15,409 confirmed patients with the COVID-19 of different severities were followed-up from three specialized COVID-19 hospitals between March 18 and October 11, 2020 in Iraqi Kurdistan. The predictors of mortality and severity were examined in binary logistic regression analysis.
Results:
The incidence rate of severe/critical status was 12.3% with a median age of 36.0 and case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.98%. The incidence rate of severe/critical conditions and CFR rose with increased age groups; except for 0-14 years (11.9%). The incidence rate of severe/critical patients and CFR was 8.3% and 0.5%, 21.1% and 4.0%, and 23.7% and 8.7% in 15-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 and older age groups, respectively. The severity of the disease and CFR was associated with coexisting chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (18.2% and 3.1%) and diabetes mellitus (19.8% and 3.4%). The asymptomatic patients (8400 and 54.5%) had statistically higher CFR; 2.3% versus 1.6% (P = 0.006). The most common symptoms on diagnosis were fever (31.9%), cough (23.5%), loss of smell/taste (16.3%), sore throat (15.7%), shortness of breath (9.8%), and headache (9.5%). The results showed that being older was the only predictor of mortality and severity in COVID-19 patients.
Conclusions:
This region has a low incidence of severe-critic status and CFR. The patients with coexisting medical conditions are more likely to have severe conditions and die of COVID-19. The older age predicts severe/critic status and higher CFR.
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