The Philippine Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) profile study: Clinical profile and factors associated with mortality of hospitalized patients

ABSTRACT

Introduction@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have spread globally and reached the Philippines in late January 2020. This study is the first local and nationwide research on admitted COVID-19 adult patients: their clinic-demographic profiles, managements, and clinical outcomes. We aim to determine the associated factors with mortality among COVID-19 patients.@*Methods@#This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients in 89 hospitals in the Philippines from February to July, 2020. The data on admission of patient’s demographic, clinical, laboratory, pre-hospital and during hospital treatment management and in-hospital clinical outcomes were gathered. The data were described and analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis.@*Results@#There were 2884 rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients included in the study. Majority were Filipinos (99·4%), with slightly more males (54.4%) than females. 21% were healthcare workers (HCWs). Mortality was higher among non-HCWs at 16% versus 2% among HCWs. 63% of the patients had a co-morbidity, which included hypertension (69%), diabetes mellitus (48%) and chronic kidney disease (26%). The significantly associated factors with mortality in this Philippine cohort were: age >60 years, hypertension as co-morbidity, tachypnea (> 22/minute), WBC count > 10 x 109 /L, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all p<0.05). Elevated serum LDH was the strongest factor associated with mortality (OR of 8.74, p=0.004).@*Conclusion@#This study identified that age, hypertension, tachypnea, elevated WBC count, and elevated serum LDH were associated with mortality among COVID-19 adult patients and results were consistent with results from studies done in other countries. We recommend that early detection and awareness of exposures and symptoms will improve the management and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients. Also, a long follow-up of the outcomes of COVID-19 to determine the effectiveness of treatment is recommended for further study.