Assessment and outcome of hospitalized patients during delta variant COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter international study.

INTRODUCTION: To date, the world has experienced four waves of the Coronavirus disease- 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients infected during the era of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant were the subject of this study. The objectives were to describe their clinical manifestations, explain their laboratory and radiological findings, conclude factors contributing to clinical outcomes, and evaluate treatment protocols. METHODOLOGY: Relevant data were collected retrospectively from records of patients admitted to six referral centers in four countries. Data included sociodemographic patterns, symptoms, associated comorbidities, physical examination, laboratory and radiologic findings, treatment received, and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Data analysis identified symptomatology and variables related to acquisition and infection outcome. The most prevalent symptoms were cough (81.5%), body aches (74.1%), and fever (71.6%). Independent risk factors for mortality were age, vomiting, epigastric pain, diabetes, obesity, oxygen saturation less than 90%, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated creatinine, high glucose level, lung ground glass opacities with consolidation, affection of four lobes and bilateralism. Neither d-dimer nor lactate dehydrogenase nor ferritin foretells death possibility. The efficacy of the medications used was convenient. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing the clinical features of different COVID-19 waves, identifying predictors of outcomes, and concluding the efficacy of treatment protocols provide insight into patients' responses and viral behaviors, which help in the proper diagnosis and treatment of subsequent surges.

Prevalence and Predictors of Persistent Symptoms After Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Multicenter Study from Egypt.

Background and Aim: Little is known about the persistence of symptoms after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study aimed to assess persistent symptoms in COVID-19 patients after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methodology: A multi-center survey was conducted on first wave COVID-19 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including presenting symptoms and persistent symptoms after viral clearance and possible factors contributing to persistence of such symptoms, were collected using an online multicomponent questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed to detect the most persisting symptoms and factors contributing to their persistence. Results: Overall, 538 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 41.17 (±SD 14.84), 54.1% were males, and 18.6% were smokers. Hypertension and diabetes were the most reported co-morbidities. Mild symptoms were reported in 61.3% of patients, 51.3% were admitted to hospital and 6.5% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Our study identified 49 types of persisting symptoms. Fatigue (59.1%), sense of fever (46.5%), anorexia (24.3%) and diarrhea (24.3%) were the most commonly reported persisting symptoms followed by loss of taste and smell (22.3%), headache (21.4%), cough (20.8) and dyspnea (21%). The use of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and multivitamins were significantly associated with persistence of symptoms (OR = 8.03, 8.89 and 10.12, respectively). Conclusion: Our study revealed that in COVID-19 recovered patients, many patients reported persistence of at least one symptom, particularly fatigue and sense of fever. Follow-up of patients after discharge from hospital is recommended until complete resolution of symptoms.