Clinical characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 infected patients in Palestine

Abstract

Background: Palestine is one of the countries that has been affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Method: Quantitative research design using retrospective review of 132 hospitalized patient's medical records was conducted. Data was collected from two hospitals in West Bank/Palestine between 19 March to 20 July 2020. The data includes follow up tests, clinical observation and treatments plan during their hospital stay. Results: The most common symptoms were cough (51.5%), fever (41.7%), and shortness of breath (25.8%). Numerous differences were reported between sever and not sever cases, including higher WBC, neutrophil, LDH, ferritin, BUN and creatine (P<.05), and lower lymphocytes percentage and SPO2 (P<.001). CRP, Ferritin level and Monocytes tests was statistically significant in its association with severity level (P-value <0.05). Having diabetes, hypertension and cerebrovascular disease is significantly associated with the severity level of COVID-19. The most common treatments given for COVID-19 patients were Antipyretic (75.0%), Anticoagulant (47.0%), and Antibiotic (46.2%). Conclusion: Special attention should be given to comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, as such comorbidities are highly correlated with poor disease outcome. Some laboratory tests indicate significant relationship between disease severity level.