Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (Feb 2024)

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Severity Among Hospitalized Patients in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Multicentre Study

  • Najlaa Al-Bluwi,
  • Razan Agha,
  • Ankita Shukla,
  • Rouba Karen Zeidan,
  • Hamzah AlZubaidi,
  • Manal Awad,
  • Amal Hussein,
  • Muzan Abdelbagi,
  • Khaled AlSayed,
  • Mohamad B. Alebaji,
  • Mahasin Shaheen,
  • Laila Salameh,
  • Bassam Mahboub,
  • Hady Elkhodary,
  • Riyad Bendardaf,
  • Ghada Mohammed,
  • Dima Wardat,
  • Zahraa Al-Hano,
  • Hajir I. Amara,
  • Mohamed Saleh Alhajjaj,
  • Qutayba Hamid,
  • Rabih Halwani,
  • Basema Saddik

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-024-00206-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 349 – 362

Abstract

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Abstract Objectives To investigate the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19 cases in hospitalized patients across two emirates within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A retrospective observational analytical study analysed data from 738 medical records and conducted 573 in-depth interviews with patients hospitalized across multiple healthcare centers in the UAE, between 29 January 2020 and 14 October 2021. Regression analysis predicted risk factors for COVID-19 severity. Results Main risk factors identified were crowding (aOR 1.919; 95%CI 1.144, 3.221), obesity (aOR 2.383; 95%CI 1.332, 4.263), diabetes (aOR 11.14; 95%CI 2.653–46.797), severe dehydration (aOR 3.219; 95%CI 2.161, 4.795), cough or sore throat (aOR 1.607; 95%CI 1.032, 2.502), shortness of breath (aOR 1.921; 95%CI 1.294, 2.853), increased days from symptom onset to admission (aOR 1.055; 95%CI 1.006, 1.105), elevated ANC (aOR 1.263, 95%CI 1.121, 1.424), and AST/SGOT (aOR 1.055, 95% CI 1.016, 1.095). Protective factors included smoking (aOR 0.367; 95%CI 0.182, 0.740), first dose of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR 0.595; 95%CI 0.377, 0.93), higher oxygen saturation (aOR 0.853; 95%CI: 0.801, 0.907) and elevated ALC (aOR 0.540; 95%CI 0.323, 0.905). Conclusion Identifying risk factors is crucial for high-risk individuals who may require closer monitoring to improve their outcomes. This can provide guidance for surveillance systems and early detection strategies to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks.

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