Clinical characteristics and evolution of symptoms in patients with COVID-19

Authors

Keywords:

infections by coronavirus, beta-coronavirus, signs and symptoms, treatment outcome

Abstract

Introduction: many cases of covid-19 are asymptomatic when admitted to the hospital. The development of symptoms may be related to the therapies used.

Objective: to characterize clinically the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of symptoms in relation to admission, in the Military Hospital Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy, of Matanzas.

Materials and methods: retrospective study of clinical records of SARS-CoV-2-confirmed patients admitted up to June 26, 2020. 145 patients were studied, divided into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic ones at admission. Demographic data, personal pathological history, symptoms and evolution, humoral parameters, treatment, hospital stay and complications were collected. The Chi square and Mann-Whire U tests were used, depending on the type of variable.

Results: most patients were symptomatic at admission. Asymptomatic ones predominated only up to 19 years. Hypertensive, diabetic and renal impaired patients had a higher proportion of symptoms at admission. A small group (n = 38) never developed symptoms. Cough, general discomfort, fever, pharyngeal pain, nasal congestion, anosmia and shortness of breath were the predominated symptoms. Diarrhea, dyspepsia and vomiting prevailed after admission. The symptomatic patients showed higher liver enzyme values, more low respiratory infection and respiratory distress, and also had more extended hospital stay, admission to intensive care and deceases.

Conclusions: more than half of the patients were admitted with predominance of general and respiratory symptoms. After admission, digestive symptoms predominated, possibly related to the therapies used. Symptomatic patients on admission had worse humoral parameters, more complications and longer hospital stay.

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Published

2021-10-14

How to Cite

1.
Acosta-González FA, González-Tabares R, Oliva-Villa E, Rodríguez-Reyes SF, Cabeza-Echevarría I, Castelnau-Sánchez AR. Clinical characteristics and evolution of symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Rev Méd Electrón [Internet]. 2021 Oct. 14 [cited 2025 Apr. 24];43(5):1-18. Available from: https://revmedicaelectronica.sld.cu/index.php/rme/article/view/4369

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 5 (2021)

Section

Research article

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