Profile and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary institution hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Background: In high-income countries, mortality related to hospitalized patients with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is approximately 4-5%. However, data on COVID-19 admissions from sub-Saharan Africa are scanty.Objective: To describe the clinical profile and determinants of outcomes of patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted at a hospital in Ghana.Methods: A prospective study involving 25 patients with real time polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the treatment centre of the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana from 1st June to 27th July, 2020. They were managed and followed up for outcomes. Data were analysed descriptively, and predictors of mortality assessed using a multivariate logistic regression modelling.Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.3 ± 20.6 years, and 14 (56%) were males. The main symptoms at presentation were breathlessness (68%) followed by fever (56%). The cases were categorized as mild (6), moderate (6), severe (10) and critical (3). Hypertension was the commonest comorbidity present in 72% of patients. Medications used in patient management included dexamethasone (68%), azithromycin (96%), and hydroxychloroquine (4%). Five of 25 cases died (Case fatality ratio 20%). Increasing age and high systolic blood pressure were associated with mortality.Conclusion: Case fatality in this sample of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was high. Thorough clinical assessment, severity stratification, aggressive management of underlying co-morbidities and standardized protocols incountry might improve outcomes.

Severity Status of COVID-19 and Its Associated Factors at the Nyarugenge Treatment Center in Rwanda

“…A follow-up study in Egypt on 148 COVID-19 patients by Albadawy et al reported acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) at 37.8% and a three-fold risk of pneumonia in patients with comorbidities compared to those without [16]. Another study conducted in China and Ghana also reported that people of advanced age and those with comorbidities have severe COVID-19 outcomes [17,18].…”

Clinical and laboratory profile and outcomes of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ghana – A single‐center study

“…10,11 There are a number of epidemiological studies and case reports on COVID-19 patients in sub-Saharan Africa. [12][13][14][15][16] However, knowledge of the risk factors for severe disease is still evolving. In sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Ghana, there is scarcity of published literature specifically on the impact of DM on outcomes in COVID-19 patients.…”

“…There are a number of epidemiological studies and case reports on COVID‐19 patients in sub‐Saharan Africa 12–16 . However, knowledge of the risk factors for severe disease is still evolving.…”

Clinical Profile and Predictors of Mortality in Patients admitted with COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…The clinical features, death predictors, outcomes and factors associated with the progression of COVID-19 disease and mortality has been described in many recent publications. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The clinical presentation of COVID-19 can range from asymptomatic cases diagnosed during contact tracing, mild to moderately symptomatic patients managed at home, or those that require hospitalization. Several studies have reported alterations in various biochemical parameters among COVID-19 patients and they have been identified as important clinical predictors for the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”