Characteristics of the initial patients hospitalized for COVID-19: a single-center report

MEDETALİBEYOĞLU, Alpay; ŞENKAL, Naci; ÇAPAR, Gazi; KÖSE, Murat; TÜKEK, Tufan

BACKGROUND Novel coronavirus 19 infection (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic and Turkey had the first coronavirus patient tested positive in 10 March 2020. AIMS In this analysis we have discussed the characteristics of Turkish patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional study Methods: This retrospective study included all the patients who have been hospitalized for novel coronavirus at blinded for peer review -Department of Internal Medicine between 15th March 2020 and 28th March 2020. Patients were screened with real time PCR (2019nCoV), chest X-ray and computer tomography. Also, their demographic characteristics including sex, age, occupation, comorbid disease etc. were recorded. RESULTS There were 70 patients for analysis. Thirty-seven patients (52.9 %) tested positive for coronavirus infection with PCR. Mean age was 55.8 (min 24- max 87). There were 49 men (70.0%). Two patients (2%) were sent home and eleven patients (15.7%) were transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). Patients in ICU had statistically higher, pulse rate, respiratory rate, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, c-reactive protein, d-dimer, fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time, troponin and procalcitonin compared to patients followed in clinics. CONCLUSION Turkey has avoided the disease for some time but as inevitable as it is, our country has been added to the countries which are infected.