Post Discharge Outcome of COVID 19 Cases Reported from Pakistan

Abstract

Aim: To characterize the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients following discharge from the hospital. Study design: Prospective cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Infectious Diseases, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from 1st May to 31st August 2020. Methodology: Ninety six patients were included, age over 23 years and had a confirmed COVID-19 on PCR. At the time of admission and on discharge, in-hospital data were recorded. The demographic information, symptoms, complete blood count, inflammatory markers, and chest X-ray noted. Results: Diabetes (50%) and Ischemic heart disease (50%) were the most frequent comorbidities. The majority of patients (75%) improved their X-ray findings after being discharged from the hospital. At the time of discharge, 75% of the patients expressed fatigue; none of the patients developed a fever. There was a substantial significant difference in tiredness reported at discharge and in the fourth week. Significant variations in shortness of breath and oxygen consumption were also found between tiredness indicated at discharge and the fourth week. The majority of lab values were within normal limits. Conclusion: Most patients gradually improved after receiving appropriate treatment and supportive care in the hospital and later at home. The most prevalent and prolonged symptom reported by most patients was fatigue. By the fourth week, most symptoms had ameliorated significantly. Keywords: SARS-CoV2, Clinical outcome, Fatigue, COVID-19 follow-up