AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightAfter a 6-month follow-up period, most patients have continued to have non-life-threatening symptoms.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Objective: COVID-19 continues to pose a public health threat globally. This study evaluated the risk factors of hospitalized patients associated with hospital mortality for COVID-19 and symptoms on days 14, 28, and 6th-month. Methods: The study included 133 adults hospitalized due to COVID-19 between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Patient files were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic characteristics of the patients were evaluated by dividing them into two groups according to the clinical severity of COVID-19. (group 1: mild+moderate, group 2: severe+critical). Risk factors associated with mortality were revealed. Symptoms on day 14 and day 28 were questioned in person or by phone if patients were discharged and symptoms at 6 months were questioned by phone. Results: Comparison of laboratory findings between the groups showed that patients in group 2 had lower serum lymphocyte count and higher levels of C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, procalcitonin, and troponin T at admission and during follow-up (p<0.05). Oxygen saturation at hospital admission and lymphocyte count on day 7 of hospitalization were found to be risk factors associated with mortality. The most common symptom at admission and on day 14 was a cough, while fatigue was most common on day 28 and month 6. At 6 months, 32 patients (28.8%) were symptom-free, 13 patients (11.7%) had sleep disorders, and 12 patients (10.8%) had an anxiety disorder. Five patients (4.5%) reported having dermatological complaints. Conclusions: Periodic monitoring of laboratory parameters is important for predicting disease course, and oxygen saturation and serum ferritin levels at admission are important predictors of mortality. Patients should be followed for respiratory complications and sequelae as well as extrapulmonary involvement and complications. After a 6-month follow-up period, most patients have continued to have non-life-threatening symptoms.