Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted at the korle-bu teaching hospital, Accra, Ghana

Patrick Adjei, Jane Afriyie-Mensah, Vincent J. Ganu, Peter Puplampu, Bismark Opoku-Asare, Klenam Dzefi-Tettey, Maame Boatemaa Amissah-Arthur, Kenneth Tachi, Vincent Boima, Dzifa Dey, Joseph Akamah, Albert Akpalu, Josephine Akpalu, Phillip Amoo, Elom Otchi, Kissinger Marfoh, Adwoa Agyei-Nkansah

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5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The study examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections among hospitalized patients. Design: Study design was a retrospective single-center review of hospital data. Setting: The study was conducted at the COVID-19 Treatment Center of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana. Participants and study tools: A total of fifty patients with laboratory (rRT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 infection were involved in the study. A chart review of the medical records of the patients was conducted and the data obtained was documented using a data extraction form. Results: The median age was 53 years and most (36% (18/50)) of the patients were at least 60 years of age. Eighty percent (40/50) of the patients were symptomatic, with cough and difficulty in breathing being the commonest presenting symptoms. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12.3 ± 7.3 days. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were the commonest co-morbidities occurring in 52% (26/50) and 42% (21/50) of patients respectively. Fifty percent of patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia as a complication. The mortality rate was 12% (6/50). Conclusion: In this study, SARS-CoV2 infection affected older adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the common comorbidities. Patients with these comorbid conditions should be counselled by their clinicians to strictly observe the COVID-19 prevention protocols to reduce their risk of acquiring the infection. There is a need to pay critical and prompt attention to the management of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia particularly among people with diabetes to improve outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-38
Number of pages6
JournalGhana Medical Journal
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2020

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Complications
  • Hospitalized
  • Pneumonia
  • Screening
  • Symptoms

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