Características clínico-epidemiológicas del COVID-19 en población de altura de Perú

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: COVID-19 has shown great clinical and epidemiological variability. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in a high-altitude population of Perú. Materials and methods: Observational and retrospective study. The population consisted of ambulatory patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from a primary care health facility located at an altitude of 3850 meters above sea level. Documentary analysis of medical records was carried out. Data analysis was descriptive in terms of percentages and measures of central tendency. Results: The study included 154 patients, mostly female (56.5%), adults (51.3%), and housewives (37.0%). The most frequent and longest-lasting symptoms were cough (80.5%, 6.3 days), sore throat (61.7%, 3.6 days), and headache (58.4%, 3.5 days). The most common clinical classification was mild (69.5%). The most common comorbidities were pregnancy (14.5%), hypertension (8.25%), and obesity (5.5%). Oxygen saturation in the elderly was on average the lowest (84.5), while in adolescents it was on average the highest (90). Conclusion: Women, adult housewives, and those with comorbidities such as pregnancy, hypertension, and obesity were most affected. The most frequent and longest-lasting symptoms were cough, sore throat, and headache. Oxygen saturation decreased with age.