Features and complications of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in the emergency department

Aim: This study aims to determine retrospectively the characteristics (age, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, second admission, examination and imaging status, hospitalization and discharge status) and complications of COVID-19 patients who applied to the emergency department between 11.03.2020-11.03.2021. Hospitalization, discharge and complications of COVID-19 patients will be evaluated with the obtained data. Our aim is to compare the obtained data with the literature. Method: The data of COVID-19 patients who were examined in the isolated area called the orange area in the Akdeniz University Hospital Emergency Department and whose PCR swab results were positive, were retrospectively scanned through the hospital information system between 11.03.2020 -11.03.2021. The patients' age, gender, additional chronic diseases, symptoms, admission vitals, laboratory examination request status, radiological monitoring request status, hospitalization and discharge status, second admission, second admission symptoms, admission dates, and complications were scanned. Findings: A total of 2893 patients who applied to the Emergency Service of Akdeniz University Hospital in the orange area and had positive COVID-19 PCR test results between 11.03.2020 - 11.03.2021 were evaluated. Due to a lack of data, 633 patients were excluded from the study. The data of 2260 patients were analyzed. There were 1148 (50.8%) male and 1112 (49.2%) female patients included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 43.88 (sd= 16.74) (male 45.03, female 42.70). When the complaints of the patients were examined, cough 65.4% (n= 1478), myalgia 64% (n= 1447), and fever 46.6% (n= 1053) were found to be the most common complaints. 113 The most common comorbidities found in the patients were hypertension 21.8% (n= 493), DM 15.4% (n= 349), CAD 8.7% (n= 196). Among the patients hospitalized and examined; 1872 (82.8%) patients were discharged. It was observed that 288 (12.7%) patients were transferred to the ward, 96 (4.2%) patients were transferred to the intensive care unit, and 4 (0.2%) patients refused treatment. 58.5% of the hospitalized patients were male and 41.5% were female. The mean age of the hospitalized patients was 61.44 (ss= 15.12). The most common complications observed among the patients are 7.4% (n= 168) AKI, 2.2% MODS (n= 49), 3.7% ARDS (n= 83), 4.4% exitus (n= 99). The mortality rate was found to be 4.4% (n= 99). The mortality rate among hospitalized patients (n= 388) was 21.4%. When the factors increasing the mortality rate were examined, this rate was found to be increased among the patients with hypertension, CAD, and cerebrovascular disease as comorbidities. Furthermore, the mortality rate was found to be increased among the patients who applied with the complaint of shortness of breath. The mortality rate was found to be increased among the patients who developed complications of AKI, ARDS, MODS, PTE, and cerebrovascular disease during their follow-up examinations. The majority of patients who died were male and elderly. Result: The most common complications among COVID-19 patients are AKI, ARDS, MODS, and exitus. The incidence of complications was found to be compatible with the male gender, advanced age, and increased comorbidity. AKI and ARDS were found to be at the forefront as complications increased the mortality rate. We believe that primary infection precautions and immunization studies are important in order to prevent complications on patients. It is important to apply appropriate treatment modalities in patients infected with COVID-19.