PROFILE OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 INFECTION: A SINGLE-CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background
The purpose of this study was to examine the profile of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Department of Internal, Autoimmune and Metabolic Diseases of Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice.

Material and methods
A retrospective analysis included all patients admitted to COVID-19 Internal Medicine Ward from November 2020 to June 2021. Collected data embraced: gender, age, date of admission, length of hospital stays, the mode of admission, main diagnoses and comorbidities, discharge mode from the hospital, and cause of death.

Results
The study group comprised 232 patients (124 (53.4%) males) diagnosed with COVID-19, mean age of 66.5±14.7 (24-96) years old. The number of coexisting cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis of chronic heart failure, and ischemic heart disease were statistically significantly associated with mortality of patients. The average length of hospitalization was 9.96±6.35 (0-35) days. It was significantly longer among patients diagnosed with kidney and urinary tract diseases (11 (6.0-14.0) vs. 9 (5.0-15.0) days, p=0.022), especially with urinary tract infection (13.5 (9.0-18.8) vs. 9 (5.0-12.0 days, p=0.003). Coexisting infections other than COVID-19 (9 (5.0-12.0) vs. 5 (10.3-23.0) days (p<0.001)) and vitamin D deficiency (8 (4.0-12.0) vs. 12 (10.0-17.0) days (p<0.001)) were also significant factors in prolonging hospital stay.

Conclusions
Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, cardiovascular diseases are significant factors associated with mortality. Coexisting infections and vitamin D deficiency may prolong the hospitalization.