Clinical characteristics and outcomes among COVID-19 hospitalized patients with chronic conditions: A retrospective single-center study

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 out-come 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 condi-tions. 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 mechan-ical 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.