Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in a single center of Argentina. Retrospective cohort

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) became a priority health problem. The objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, evolution and severity of COVID-19 in a third-level hospital, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. We conducted a retrospective cohort of 101 patients with COVID-19 fro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Medicina Vol. 80 Suppl 6; p. 35
Main Authors:	Castro, Horacio M, Canale, Hernan L, Ferreyro, Bruno L, Prieto, Manuel A, Massimino, Brenda E, Funtowicz, Gabriel, Maritano Furcada, Joaquín
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	Spanish
Published:	Argentina 01-12-2020
Subjects:	Adult Argentina - epidemiology Coronavirus Infections COVID-19 Female Humans Male Retrospective Studies SARS-CoV-2 Argentina COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 sign and symptoms coronavirus infections pneumonia
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Summary:	Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) became a priority health problem. The objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, evolution and severity of COVID-19 in a third-level hospital, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. We conducted a retrospective cohort of 101 patients with COVID-19 from March 3 to June 21, 2020. The patients were divided according to the presence or absence of pneumonia and the severity of the disease. The median age was 42 years and 53% were women. The most common symptoms were fever 66% and cough 57%. Dyspnea and fever were associated with the presence of pneumonia. The most prevalent comorbidities were: hypertension 22%, obesity 18%, cardiovascular disease 7% and chronic respiratory disease 7%. The presence of any comorbidity and hypertension were more common in severe cases. The most frequent laboratory findings were: lymphopenia 55%, elevated D-dimer 38%, and thrombocytopenia 20%. In severe diseases, the level of C-reactive protein and D-dimer were higher. Twenty six patients had pneumonia and 24% were healthcare workers. For diagnosis, more than one reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) sample was needed in 24% of cases. A moderate-high value of the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) was more prevalent in severe than mild pneumonia (63% vs. 17%, p 0.032). A mortality of 5% was registered (95% CI 1-11%). The clinical characteristics, severity and prognosis were similar to those described worldwide. We highlight a high proportion of healthcare workers were SARS-CoV-2 positive, the false negative rate of the RT-PCR and the usefulness of the PSI to discriminate the severity of pneumonia.
ISSN:	1669-9106