Socio-demographic, clinical, hospital admission and oxygen requirement characteristics of COVID-19 patients of Bangladesh

Mondal, R. N.; Razzak Sarker, M. A.; Das, A.; Ahsan, M. A. K.; Jahan, S. M. S.; Sultana, A.; Sultana, J.; Rani, M.

Abstract Background: Clinical presentation hospital admission and outcome of COVID-19 pandemic are different from one country to another. So every country should have their own data regarding COVID-19. Subjects and Methods: This was an online cross-sectional survey carried out in RT-PCR positive COVID-19 adult patient. A preformed questionnaire adapted in Google form and circulated through online to collect data. Informed consent was ensured before participation in this study. Results: We have studied of 305 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients mean age was 36.32(+/-12.369) years with male predominance and majority were doctor 46.9%. 48.8% of the patients family members affected along with them. After COVID-19 pandemic 31.7% did not go out of their house. For prevention (72.4%)of the patients used mask and 38.8% used hand gloves during outing. 28.7% reported to be affected while working in hospital 21.8%were affected in their office. Fever (80.1%) cough (57.7%) pain in throat (50.8%) rhinitis (45.9%) and loss of smell (45%) and taste sensation (45.6%) were the most common symptoms. Sample was given average 3 (+/- 3.384) days after onset of the symptoms and report was delivered average 4.57 days after giving sample. After getting result 32.1% of the patients seek treatment in telemedicine and 23% directly consulted in Government hospital only 2% reported to be treated by the Government designated telephone number. 73.1% of the patient took both steam inhalation and warm water gargling. Paracetamol and antihistamine was the most commonly use drugs 69.8% and 71.5% respectively besides 47.5% took ivermectin 41.6% took azithromycin 35.1% steroid 34.8% took doxycyclin and 21.6% hydroxychloroquine. Among the patients only 20.3% needed hospital admission. The patients admitted in hospital average 5 (+/-3.922) days after onset of symptoms and hospital staying was 9.2 days (average). Breathless (54.83%) was the major cause of hospital admission and 19.35% patients admitted due to fear. 14% patients needed oxygen and average duration of oxygen was 4.84 days. 81.3% patients has taken oxygen in hospital and 18.8% at their home. Among the patient 2.2% needed ICU and artificial ventilation needed for 1.1% patients. The patients recovered after 17.74 days (average) from the onset of symptom. COVID-19 became negative (RT-PCR) at15th day from onset of symptom. 91.8%) were in mental stress to become the cause of infection spread to other family members 20.7%) reported that they were anxious that they would not get oxygen or ICU if required and 27.9% were suffering from fear of death. Weakness was the most common post disease symptom in 57.4% cases. Average time required for coming back to normal life was 21.59 days (+/-7.901) ranging a wide range from 5 to 60 days. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients were mostly male health worker. Fever cough pain in throat were most common symptoms. Hospital admission required in only one-fifth cases and ICU required for only 2% patients. Weakness was the most common post disease symptom. Keywords: COVID Bangladesh oxygen ivermectin Correspondence Dr. Ratindra Nath Mondal President Society of General Physician Founder-Daktarkhana (GP center) Rangpur Bangladesh Email [e-mail].