[COVID-19 pneumonia. Experience of a public hospital in Argentina]

COVID-19 pneumonia represents a challenge for health systems. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical presentation and evolution of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This is a prospective and descriptive study. Patients older than 16 years with a PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in 94.0% (n = 395) of the cases. Biochemical and imaging determinations were made. 421 patients were included, 57.0% male (n = 240), with a mean age of 56.1 ± 15.1 years. 41.0% (n = 172) were older than 60 years. 79.7% (n = 333) had comorbidities. They had seven days 7 days (IQR 5) from symptom onset to hospitalization. The most frequent symptoms were: dyspnea (78.1%, n = 307), cough (76.5%, n = 297) and fever (73.6%, n = 289). 50.2% (n = 204) presented respiratory failure upon admission. 63.4% (n = 173) presented pathological infiltrates on radiography and 96.0% (n = 312) on chest tomography. The 4C score was 8 (IQR 6). 31.6% (n = 133) had a poor clinical evolution. In-hospital mortality was 18.9% (n = 80) and 23.7% (n = 100) received mechanical ventilation. 21.9% (n = 92) presented in-hospital complications. 39.6% (n = 67) of those over 60 years of age were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and 31.4% (n = 54) died. 76.9% (n = 319) of the patients received corticosteroids, 69.3% (n = 289) antibiotics, and convalescent plasma 10.5% (n = 43). This series stands out for the high rate of comorbidities and the severity of the patients included. Mortality was similar to other international series.