A Study of Demographic Characteristics, Clinical Manifestations, Radiologic and Lab Findings of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 in the South of Iran

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a life -threatening factor all around the world. Identifying the features of the infected population contributes to detecting risk factors and determining more effective treatment goals. The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic features, clinical symptoms, and radiologic findings of hospitalized patients infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Vali-Asr hospital affiliated to Fasa Medical University, located in south of Iran. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study that was conducted in one of Iran southeast hospitals, 50 patients hospitalized in COVID-19 ward were selected through consensus sampling. The study's instrument included a researcher-made checklist. Then, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and statistical descriptive (distribution of frequency and Mean±SD ) and analytical methods (t-test). Results: The mean and standard deviation of patients’ age was 52.88±19.04. The majority of the most common clinical symptom was fever and the most common CTs finding was the GGO (Grand Glossy Opacity) engagement of both lungs. There was no meaningful difference between age, gender, and infection with coronavirus, respectively (P=0.87 and P=0.79). Among the underlying diseases, there was a significant relationship between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and coronavirus infection (P=0.003). Conclusion: Old age and background diseases (diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are factors that endanger people to COVID-19 more. It is suggested to carry out more studies to investigate the effect of the characteristics of different communities on the infection with COVID-19.

Keywords

• covid-19
• diagnostic imaging
• population characteristics
• patients