Low mortality of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary Danish hospital setting

Madsen, Lone Wulff; Lindvig, Susan Olaf; Rasmussen, Line Dahlerup; Knudtzen, Fredrikke Christie; Laursen, Christian B.; Øvrehus, Anne; Nielsen, Stig Lønberg; Johansen, Isik Somuncu

Objectives We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of admitted COVID-19 patients in a Danish hospital setting where an early active government intervention was taken. Methods Prospective cohort study including all admitted patients to the COVID-19 unit at Odense University Hospital from March 10 to April 21, 2020. Patients were assessed by a multidisciplinary team at admission. Outcome parameters were development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, death and admission time. Results We included 83 patients (median age 62 years, 62.7% male). At hospitalization, 31.3% needed oxygen supplementation and the median National Early Warning Score was four. Median admission time was 7 days (Interquartile ranges (IQR) 3-12). In total, ARDS was diagnosed in 33.7% (28/83) of the patients corresponding to an incidence rate of 7.1 per 100 person days (95% CI: 4.1-10.2). Overall 13 patients (15.7%) were transferred to the ICU of whom 11 (84.6%) received corticosteroids.. No patients died while admitted to the ICU. Four patients (4.8%) died during admission. Conclusion Despite similar patient characteristics compared to those reported by others, we found a low overall mortality of < 5%.