Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes of 180 Egyptian COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Quarantine Hospitals of Ain Shams University: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Taha, S. I.; Samaan, S. F.; Shata, A. K.; Baioumy, S. A.; Abdalgeleel, S. A.; Youssef, M. K.

Background: COVID-19 mortality, severity, and recovery are major global concerns, but they are still insufficiently understood, particularly in the Middle East. Methods: This retrospective study comprised 180 adult Egyptian COVID-19 patients who were categorized and compared to evaluate if there was a link between their clinical and laboratory findings at hospital admission and disease severity and mortality risk. Results: Of all patients enrolled, 27.8% had severe disease and 13.9% died during their hospital stay. Diabetes mellitus (46.7%), hypertension (36.1%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (33.3%) were the most frequent associated co-morbidities. Severe patients and non-survivors were significantly older compared to their corresponding groups. Their absolute neutrophil count, procalcitonin (PCT), ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP), AST, ALT, LDH, D-dimer, and ferritin levels were all significantly higher (P [≤] 0.05), whereas their absolute lymphocyte count was significantly lower (P [≤] 0.05). COPD (OR: 3.294; 95% CI: 1.199-9.053; P= 0.021), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.951; 95% CI:1.070-8.137; P= 0.037), ferritin [≥] 350 ng/mL (OR: 11.08; 95% CI: 2.796-41.551; P= 0.001), AST [≥] 40 IU/L (OR: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.842-7.991; P= 0.021), CT-SS [≥] 17 (OR: 1.205; 95% CI: 1.089-1.334; P [≤] 0.001) and absolute lymphocyte count < 1x103/L (OR: 4.002; 95% CI: 1.537-10.421; P= 0.005), were all linked to a higher risk of COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, COVID-19 in-hospital mortality was predicted by dyspnea (OR: 4.006; 95% CI: 1.045-15.359; P= 0.043), CT-SS [≥] 17 (OR: 1.271; 95% CI: 1.091-1.482; P= 0.002) and AST [≥] 40 IU/L (OR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.091-7.661; P= 0.033). Conclusions: Clinical and laboratory data of COVID-19 patients at their hospital admission may aid in identifying early risk factors for severe illness and a high mortality rate, as well as determining the most effective management for them.