COVID-19 disease in the pulmonology unit of a dedicated COVID-19 hospital – our experience

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global health care crisis. We report profiles of cases admitted to our hospital.

Methods: We conducted this study at the pulmonology unit of a Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH) of Western India. This is a prospective observational study which analysed the demographical data, clinical parameters, comorbidities, complications and laboratory and outcome parameters.

Results: Our study included 101 patients. The mean age was 43 years; 64 (63.3%) were men and 37 (36.7%) women. Out of 101, 6 (6%) had mild, 30 (30%) had moderate and 65 (64%) had severe COVID-19 disease. Severity increased with age and comorbidities. Ninety-four (94%) had pneumonia. Of these 94, 65 (69%) patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Twenty-one (21%) were mild, 20 (31%) moderate and 24 (37%) severe ARDS. ARDS severity increased with age and in men. Thirty-six (36%) required oxygenation only and 29 (29%) required additional ventilatory management – mostly non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The laboratory values analysis revealed elevation of D-dimers level in 66 (65.3%) and IL6 in 68 (67.3%). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) were the common comorbidities. Totally three (2.97%) patients died due to COVID-19 infection. Mortality was associated with HT and myocarditis. Mean duration of hospital stay was 15 days, and it increased with increasing severity of disease and ARDS.

Conclusion: COVID-19 is common in the adult with male preponderance. The majority recovered with a good outcome. Comorbidities affected outcome adversely.