Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine (Jan 2022)

Post−discharge mortality in the first wave of COVID−19 in Turkey

  • Fusun Fakili,
  • Pelin Duru Cetinkaya,
  • Oya Baydar,
  • Serap Argun Baris,
  • Nurdan Kokturk,
  • Seval Kul,
  • Oguz Karcioglu,
  • Pinar Aysert Yildiz,
  • Ilim Irmak,
  • Yonca Sekibag,
  • Emel Azak,
  • Sait Mulamahmutoglu,
  • Caglar Cuhadaroglu,
  • Bugra Kerget,
  • Burcu Baran Ketencioglu,
  • Hasan Selcuk Ozger,
  • Gulcihan Ozkan,
  • Zeynep Ture,
  • Merve Ercelik,
  • Tansu Ulukavak Ciftci,
  • Ozlem Alici,
  • Esra Nurlu Temel,
  • Ozlem Ataoglu,
  • Neslihan Kose,
  • Muge Meltem Tor,
  • Gulsah Gunluoglu,
  • Sedat Altin,
  • Onder Ozturk,
  • Pinar Yildiz Gulhan,
  • Ilknur Basyigit,
  • Hasim Boyaci,
  • I Kivilcim Oguzulgen,
  • Sermin Borekci,
  • Bilun Gemicioglu,
  • Ismail Hanta,
  • Hacer Kuzu Okur,
  • Gulseren Sagcan,
  • Metin Akgun,
  • Ali Fuat Kalyoncu,
  • Oya Itil,
  • Hasan Bayram

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.361853
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 11
pp. 479 – 484

Abstract

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Objective: To determine post-discharge mortality and associated factors of the first-wave multicenter Turkish Thoracic Society (TTD)-TURCOVID study. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the data of 18 of 26 centers included in the first TTD-TURCOVID study, and 1 112 cases diagnosed with COVID-19 between 11 March and 31 July 2020 participated in the study. All causes of death after COVID-19 discharge were recorded. Results: The mean age of the patients was (51.07±16.93) years, with 57.6% male patients. In the cohort group, 89.1% of COVID-19 treatment locations were hospital wards, 3.6% were intensive care units (ICUs), and 7.2% were community outpatients. In the longterm follow-up, the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.6% (95% CI 2.64.8), the post-discharge mortality rate was 2.8% (95% CI 1.9-3.9), and the total mortality was 6.3% (95% CI 5.0-7.8). After discharge, 63.3% of mortality overall occurred during the first six months. Mortality rates in post-discharge follow-ups were 12.7% (95% CI 8.0-30.6) in cancer patients, 10.8% (95% CI 6.3-22.9) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, 11.1% (95% CI 4.4-22.7) in heart failure patients, 7.8 (95% CI 3.8-14.3) in atherosclerotic heart disease patients, and 2.3% (95% CI 0.8-5.6) in diabetes mellitus patients. In smokers/ex-smokers, the all-mortality rates were higher than in non-smokers. Conclusions: This multicenter study showed that patients over 65 years of age, males, former/active smoker, ICU stay, lung, heart disease, and malignancy should be followed up for at least the first six months after discharge due to COVID-19.

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