Mortality and Reinfection Rates of the Patients with Mild COVID-19 at the Sixth Month after the Infection

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The management of the patients with COVID-19 is depend on the clinical presentation. We aimed to evaluate the hospitalization rates due to the progression of the illness in the fist month, the mortality and reinfection rates of the patients with mild COVID-19 during the six months follow-up. Materials and Methods: The study with retrospective design included all SARS CoV-2 PCR positive patients presenting with mild disease to our hospital and who were recommended at-home follow-up during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographic characteristics, baseline symptoms, laboratory results and the treatments administered were recorded. The patients were called by phone at six months after the diagnosis. Patients were asked to report hospitalisation at first month, hospitalisation due to any reason and possi- ble reinfections and current symptoms at six month. We noted the mortality rates at first month and at six months from hospital records. Results: The study included 210 patients;130 patients were male. The mean age was 42.3 +/- 15.7 (16-96) years. At baseline, 168 patients (80%) were symptomatic. Fifty-two patients (75.2%) had comorbidities. Thorax computed tomography (CT) was congruent with COVID-19 infection in 46 patients (26%). Twenty-seven patients (16.5%) were hospitalised due to the progression of clinical condition and four (2.4%) needed intensive care transmission. In multivariate analysis, those with comorbidity had having 8.2 fold (95%CI 2.2933.12) D-dimer >= 1 ug/mL had 17.8 fold (OR 17.8, %95 GA 3.42-113.3), and diffuse infiltrations in thorax CT scan had 5.36-fold (95% CI 1.46-21.76) higher relative risk for post-COVID hospitalisation. Two (4.1%) out of 48 patients younger than 50 years old and with no risk factors and a normal thorax CT needed hospitalisation. There was no mortality at first month. Four patients (1.9%) died due to deterioration of underlying condition during the six-month follow up. Six patients (3.6%) were considered to be reinfected six months after the first episode. Twenty-six patients (15.6%) had current symptoms which they belived had occured after COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: In the case of the presence of comorbidities, high D-dimer value and diffuse infiltration in thorax CT scan in mild COVID-19 patients, hospitalisation may be the optimal approach.