Clinical characteristic of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction. The global impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an urgent need to comprehensively understand the clinical characteristics of affected individuals for effective healthcare management. This study, focusing on the analysis of COVID-19's impact on adult patients and clinical outcomes, synthesizes contemporary international research. It provides a succinct overview of the disease's spread, infection rates, transmission pathways, and crucial factors such as age, gender, severity, and diverse disease progression. Aim of study. The aim of the study is to investigate the epidemiological, clinical characteristics and disease progression of COVID-19 in adult patients treated in public healthcare institutions, with the purpose of identifying the infection's risk impact on health status. Methods and materials. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 7441 adult patients included in the "Electronic Registry of Covid-19 Patients” treated in 7 medical institutions in Chisinau, Moldova, from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Subjects were selected based on clinical confirmation through SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests. Results. Out of 7,441 adults with Covid-19, women constitute 65.42%, while men make up 34.57%. Predominantly urban (77.01%) and employed (54.44%) patients. 41.19% were hospitalized through inter-hospital transfers. 30.07% had close contact with an infected person in the last 14 days.Average age was 52.83 years, with prevalence in the 50-59 and 60-69 age groups. Moderate disease form was predominant (66.15%). Treatment was supportive, with antibiotics in 91.64%. Average hospitalization duration varied. 88.36% were discharged, and 7.92% succumbed.Persistent symptoms post-discharge included fatigue, headache, and behavioral changes. Comorbidities like diabetes and heart diseases increased the risk of death. Male/female ratio in death cases was 1.1 (310/280). Conclusion. This study reveals a significant impact of COVID-19 on adult patients, with distinct epidemiological and clinical patterns. The predominance of moderate cases and the influence of comorbidities on disease severity underscore the complexity of managing COVID-19. Understanding these aspects is vital for optimizing healthcare strategies and resource allocation. urgent need to comprehensively understand the clinical characte ristics of affected individuals for effective healthcare management. This study, focusing on the analysis of COVID-19's impact on adult patients and clinical outcomes, synthesizes conte mporary international research. It provides a succinct overview of the disease's spread, infection rat es, transmission pathways, and crucial factors such as age, gender, severity, and diverse disea se progression. Aim of study. The aim of the study is to investigate the epidemiologi cal, clinical characteristics and disease progression of COVID-19 in adult patients treate d in public healthcare institutions, with the purpose of identifying the infection's risk impact on health status. Methods and materials. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 7441 adult patients in cluded in the "Electronic Registry of Covid-19 Patients ” treated in 7 medical institutions in Chisinau, Moldova, from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Subjects were selected based on clinical confirmation through SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests. Results. Out of 7,441 adults with Covid-19, women constitute 65.42%, while men make up 34.57%. Predominantly urban (77.01%) and employed (54.44%) patients. 41.19% were hospitalized through inter-hospital transfers. 30.07% had c lose contact with an infected person in the last 14 days.Average age was 52.83 years, with prevalence i n the 50-59 and 60-69 age groups. Moderate disease form was predominant (66.15%). Treatment was supportive, with antibiotics in 91.64%. Average hospitalization duration varied. 88.36% were disch arged, and 7.92% succumbed.Persistent symptoms post-discharge included fatigue, h eadache, and behavioral changes. Comorbidities like diabetes and heart diseases increased the risk of death. Male/female ratio in death cases was 1.1 (310/280). Conclusion. This study reveals a significant impact of COVID-19 on adult patients, with distinct epidemiological and clinical patterns. The predominance of moderate cases and the influence of comorbidities on disease severity underscore the compl exity of managing COVID-19. Understanding these aspects is vital for optimizing health care strategies and resource allocation.