Table 1. Baseline characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 patients and laboratory findings at admission.
| Variables | Early group (n = 94) | Late group (n = 70) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yr (median, range) | 73 (34–96) | 67 (29–88) | 0.002 | |
| Age intervals, yr | ||||
| ≤ 40 | 2 (2.1) | 4 (5.7) | ||
| 41–50 | 3 (3.2) | 7 (10.0) | ||
| 51–60 | 9 (9.6) | 11 (15.7) | ||
| 61–70 | 27 (28.7) | 23 (32.9) | ||
| 71–80 | 29 (30.9) | 14 (20.0) | ||
| 81–90 | 19 (20.2) | 11 (15.7) | ||
| > 91 | 5 (5.3) | 0 | ||
| Sex, male | 38 (40.4) | 33 (47.1) | 0.390 | |
| BMI (mean ± SD) | 23.6 ± 4.0 | 24.5 ± 3.7 | 0.159 | |
| Exposure history | 0.017 | |||
| Uncertain exposure history | 47 (50.0) | 22 (31.4) | ||
| Definite exposure history | 47 (50.0) | 48 (68.6) | ||
| Current smoker | 5 (5.3) | 3 (4.3) | 1.000 | |
| Comorbidities | ||||
| Hypertension | 53 (56.4) | 37 (52.9) | 0.654 | |
| Diabetes mellitus | 29 (30.9) | 25 (35.7) | 0.512 | |
| Cardiovascular disease | 12 (12.8) | 3 (4.3) | 0.098 | |
| Cerebrovascular disease | 9 (0.506) | 9 (12.9) | 0.506 | |
| COPD/asthma | 2 (2.2) | 2 (2.9) | 1.000 | |
| Chronic liver disease | 2 (2.1) | 3 (4.3) | 0.652 | |
| Solid cancer | 6 (6.4) | 6 (8.6) | 0.595 | |
| Solid organ transplantation | 0 | 1 (1.4) | 0.427 | |
| Hematologic disease | 1 (1.1) | 3 (4.3) | 0.314 | |
| Chronic kidney disease | 7 (7.4) | 4 (5.7) | 0.760 | |
| Dementia | 13 (13.8) | 5 (7.1) | 0.175 | |
| None | 18 (19.1) | 15 (21.4) | 0.719 | |
| Major symptoms and signs | ||||
| Fever, ≥ 37.5°C | 68 (72.3) | 49 (70.0) | 0.743 | |
| Febrile sensation | 61 (64.9) | 30 (42.9) | 0.005 | |
| Chilling | 31 (33.0) | 14 (20.0) | 0.065 | |
| General weakness | 14 (14.9) | 3 (4.3) | 0.037 | |
| Myalgia | 28 (29.8) | 18 (25.7) | 0.566 | |
| Headache | 14 (14.9) | 15 (21.4) | 0.278 | |
| Cough | 56 (59.6) | 34 (48.6) | 0.161 | |
| Sputum | 36 (38.3) | 17 (24.3) | 0.058 | |
| Sore throat | 13 (13.8) | 16 (22.9) | 0.134 | |
| Dyspnea | 36 (38.3) | 1 (1.4) | < 0.001 | |
| Chest discomfort | 6 (6.4) | 6 (8.6) | 0.595 | |
| Nausea/vomiting | 5 (5.3) | 7 (10.0) | 0.255 | |
| Abdominal discomfort | 2 (2.1) | 3 (4.3) | 0.652 | |
| Diarrhea | 7 (7.4) | 8 (11.4) | 0.382 | |
| None | 2 (2.1) | 14 (20.0) | < 0.001 | |
| Laboratory finding | ||||
| Leukocytosis (WBC > 10,000/mm3) | 11 (11.7) | 1 (1.4) | 0.014 | |
| Thrombocytopenia (PLT < 130,000/mm3) | 23 (24.5) | 18 (25.7) | 0.855 | |
| Elevated AST (> 40 IU/L) | 48 (51.1) | 20 (28.6) | 0.004 | |
| Elevated ALT (> 40 IU/L) | 17 (18.1) | 14 (20.0) | 0.757 | |
| Elevated LDH (> 300 U/L) | 63 (70.8) | 15 (21.7) | < 0.001 | |
| Elevated CRP (> 1 mg/dL) | 92 (97.9) | 39 (55.7) | < 0.001 | |
| Elevated procalcitonin (> 0.5 ng/mL) | 10 (12.0) | 2 (3.0) | 0.067 | |
| Chest X-ray abnormality | 91 (96.8) | 45 (64.3) | < 0.001 | |
| SOFA score (median, range) | 2 (0–8) | 1 (0–5) | < 0.001 | |
| Duration, days (median, range) | ||||
| Onset of illness to admission | 5 (0–16) | 2 (−5–14)a | < 0.001 | |
| Diagnosis to admission | 0 (0–3) | 0 (0–2) | 0.271 | |
Data are presented as number (%), unless otherwise indicated.
BMI = body mass index, SD = standard deviation, COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, WBC = white blood cells, PLT = platelets, AST = aspartate transaminase, ALT = alanine transaminase, LDH = lactate dehydrogenase, CRP = C-reactive protein, SOFA score = Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.
aMinus (−) means that the onset of illness was after the admission.