Table 1.
Demographic characteristics and paraclinical findings of hospitalized patients, compared between critically ill patients and noncritically ill patients
| Variable | All patients (n=100), n/total, n (%) | Noncritically ill (n=85), n/total, n (%) | Critically ill (n=15), n/total, n (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure history | ||||
| Contact with suspected COVID-19 family member | 22/88 (25) | 21/83 (25.3) | 1/5 (20) | 0.63 |
| Contact with medical staff in family member | 6/88 (6.8) | 6/83 (7.2) | 0/5 (0) | 0.70 |
| Contact with underage with upper respiratory infection symptoms | 8/88 (9.1) | 8/83 (9.6) | 0/5 (0) | 0.61 |
| Contact with animals | 4/88 (4.5) | 4/83 (4.8) | 0/5 (0) | 0.79 |
| The use of preventing measuresa | ||||
| Used to wear medical masks | 5/88 (5.7) | 5/83 (6) | 0/5 (0) | 0.74 |
| Used an alcohol-based hand rub | 9/88 (10.2) | 9/83 (10.8) | 0/5 (0) | 0.58 |
| Used to wash hands regularly | 37/88 (42) | 36/83 (43.4) | 1/5 (20) | 0.30 |
| Had personal knowledge about the disease symptom | 22/88 (25) | 22/83 (26.5) | 0/5 (0) | 0.23 |
| Travel history within 14 days before the onset of the symptoms | ||||
| Domestic travel history | 19/88 (21.6) | 19/83 (22.9) | 0/5 (0) | 0.29 |
| International travel history (except china) | 3/88 (3.4) | 3/83 (3.6) | 0/5 (0) | 0.84 |
| Travel to china | 0/88 (0) | 0/83 (0) | 0/5 (0) | |
| Social history | ||||
| Smoker | 15/88 (17) | 15/83 (18.1) | 0/5 (0) | 0.38 |
| Vaccination history | 8/88 (9.1) | 8/83 (9.6) | 0/5 (0) | 0.61 |
| Index patients job classificationb | ||||
| Low exposure risk occupations | 28/58 (48.3) | 27/57 (47.4) | 1/1 (100) | |
| High exposure risk occupation | 25/58 (43.1) | 25/57 (43.9) | 0/1 (0) | |
| Medical staff | 5/58 (8.6) | 5/57 (8.8) | 0/1 (0) | |
| Demographic information | ||||
| Age (years), median (IQR) | 58 (48-68) | 57 (47-68) | 59 (53-67) | 0.32 |
| Distribution | ||||
| >50 | 72/99 (72.7) | 57/84 (67.9) | 15/15 (100) | 0.005 |
| Male sex | 64/99 (64.6) | 55/85 (64.7) | 9/14 (64.3) | 0.60 |
| Median hospitalization period (IQR)-days | 4 (3-5) | 4 (3-5) | 5 (4-8) | 0.006 |
| Median incubation period (IQR)-days | 7 (5-7) | 7 (4-8) | 7 (5-7) | 0.95 |
| Vital signs on admission | ||||
| Fever on admissionc | ||||
| Median temperature (IQR)°C | 37.5 (37-38) | 37.5 (37-38) | 38.2 (37.1-38.8) | 0.12 |
| Distribution of temperature | ||||
| ≥37.8°C | 42/93 (45.2) | 34/81 (42) | 8/12 (66.7) | 0.10 |
| Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) % | ||||
| SpO2 <93% | 84/97 (86.6) | 70/83 (84.3) | 14/14 (100) | 0.11 |
| Median respiratory rate (IQR)-min | 19.5 (18-22) | 19 (18-21.25) | 25.5 (18-28.5) | 0.02 |
| Median heart rate (IQR)-min | 88 (80-100) | 88 (80-93.75) | 104 (80.75-117.75) | 0.02 |
| Blood pressure (mmHg) | ||||
| Median systolic blood pressure (IQR) | 110 (100-130) | 110 (100-130) | 110 (104.5-135) | 0.81 |
| Median diastolic blood pressure (IQR) | 75 (70-80) | 80 (70-80) | 75 (60-80) | 0.53 |
| Clinical symptoms | ||||
| Cough | 68/100 (68) | 57/85 (67.1) | 11/15 (73.3) | 0.44 |
| Sputum production | 6/100 (6) | 4/85 (4.7) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.22 |
| Shortness of breath | 74/100 (74) | 63/85 (74.1) | 11/15 (73.3) | 0.59 |
| Myalgia | 18/100 (18) | 15/85 (17.6) | 3/15 (20) | 0.56 |
| Headache | 4/100 (4) | 4/85 (4.7) | 0/15 (0) | 0.52 |
| Fatigue | 5/100 (5) | 5/85 (5.9) | 0/15 (0) | 0.44 |
| Pleuritic chest pain | 11/100 (11) | 7/85 (8.2) | 4/15 (26.7) | 0.06 |
| Rhinorrhea | 100/0 (0) | 85/0 (0) | 15/0 (0) | -- |
| Sore throat | 4/100 (4) | 2/85 (2.4) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.11 |
| Nausea or vomiting | 1/100 (1) | 0/85 (0) | 1/15 (6.7) | 0.15 |
| Diarrhea | 6/100 (6) | 5/85 (5.9) | 1/15 (6.7) | 0.63 |
| Decrease level of consciousness | 5/100 (5) | 0/85 (0) | 5/15 (33.3) | <0.001 |
| Coexisting disorder | ||||
| Any | 62/100 (62) | 51/85 (60) | 11/15 (73.3) | 0.25 |
| Diabetes | 26/100 (26) | 20/85 (23.5) | 6/15 (40) | 0.15 |
| Hypertension | 26/100 (26) | 19/85 (22.4) | 7/15 (46.7) | 0.05 |
| Ischemic heart disease | 19/100 (19) | 15/85 (17.6) | 4/15 (26.7) | 0.31 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma | 13/100 (13) | 12/85 (14.1) | 1/15 (6.7) | 0.38 |
| Hypothyroidism | 6/100 (6) | 6/85 (7.1) | 0/15 (0) | 0.37 |
| Others | 19/100 (19) | 13/85 (15.3) | 6/15 (40) | 0.04 |
| Laboratory findings | ||||
| White-cell count | ||||
| Median (IQR) — per mm3 | 6400 (4445-8525) | 5900 (4400-7775) | 12200 (6947.5-13525) | <0.001 |
| Distribution (per mm3) | ||||
| <4000 | 11/90 (12.2) | 10/76 (13.2) | 1/14 (7.1) | |
| 4000-10,000 | 67/90 (74.4) | 63/76 (82.9) | 4/14 (28.6) | |
| >10,000 | 16/90 (17.8) | 7/76 (9.2) | 9/14 (64.3) | |
| Lymphocyte countd | ||||
| Median (IQR)-per mm3 | 1100 (849.5-1530) | 1100 (848-1541) | 1248.5 (918.6-1460.8) | 0.73 |
| Distribution (per mm3) | ||||
| <1500 | 66/89 (74.2) | 54/75 (72) | 12/14 (85.7) | 0.24 |
| Neutrophil count | ||||
| Median (IQR) — per mm3 | 4510.2 (3244.8-6708) | 4237 (3201.3-6205) | 10505.5 (5225.4-12014.5) | <0.001 |
| Distribution (per mm3) | ||||
| >1800 | 7/90 (7.8) | 6/76 (7.9) | 1/14 (7.1) | |
| 1800-7800 | 67/90 (74.4) | 63/76 (82.9) | 4/14 (28.6) | |
| <7800 | 16/90 (17.8) | 7/76 (9.2) | 9/14 (64.3) | |
| Platelet counte (per mm3) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 180,000 (150,000-214,000) | 174,000 (150,000-213,500) | 184,000 (147,250-268,750) | 0.64 |
| <150,000 | 20/87 (23) | 16/73 (21.9) | 4/14 (28.6) | 0.41 |
| Distribution of other findings | ||||
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h)f | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 43 (32.5-60) | 40.5 (28.5-59) | 50 (42.5-77) | 0.22 |
| Elevated | 34/41 (82.9) | 30/37 (81.1) | 4/4 (100) | 0.46 |
| C-reactive protein (mg/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 36 (20-54.8) | 36 (20-56.6) | 43.25 (22-52.3) | 0.76 |
| >6 | 60/65 (92.3) | 50/55 (90.9) | 10/10 (100) | 0.42 |
| Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 584 (461.3-736.3) | 581 (467.5-715) | 1500 (381-1531) | 0.27 |
| >480 | 30/40 (75) | 28/37 (75.7) | 2/3 (66.7) | 0.60 |
| Aspartate aminotransferase (U/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 45 (30-56.3) | 41.5 (30-55.5) | 51.5 (39-64.3) | 0.22 |
| >40 | 17/30 (56.7) | 12/24 (50) | 5/6 (83.3) | 0.16 |
| Alanine aminotransferase (U/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 28 (22-34.3) | 28 (19.8-33.8) | 28 (25-50.3) | 0.47 |
| >40 | 5/30 (16.7) | 3/24 (12.5) | 2/6 (33.3) | 0.25 |
| Alkaline phosphatase (U/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 186 (135.5-225.5) | 180 (116.8-207.5) | 235 (195.5-522) | 0.05 |
| >140 | 15/20 (75) | 11/16 (68.8) | 4/4 (100) | 0.28 |
| Creatinine kinase (U/L) | ||||
| >170 | 4/4 (100) | 1/1 (100) | 3/3 (100) | - |
| Creatinine (mmol/L) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 106.1 (88.4-132.6) | 106.1 (86.2-123.8) | 150.3 (101.7-221.1) | 0.01 |
| ≥133 | 17/83 (20.5) | 10/70 (14.3) | 7/13 (53.8) | 0.004 |
| Prothrombin time (s) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 13 (13-14.9) | 13 (13-13) | 14.8 (13.4-17.3) | 0.05 |
| >13 | 14/16 (87.5) | 10/12 (83.3) | 4/4 (100) | 0.55 |
| Partial thromboplastin time (s) | ||||
| Median (IQR) | 32 (29-38.5) | 32 (29-35) | 36 (28.8-41.8) | 0.70 |
| >39 | 3/13 (23.1) | 1/9 (11.1) | 2/4 (50) | 0.20 |
| International normalized ratio | ||||
| >1.2 | 3/15 (20) | 1/11 (9.1) | 2/4 (50) | 0.15 |
| Blood gas | ||||
| Metabolic acidosis | 2/28 (7.1) | 2/24 (8.3) | 0/4 (0) | |
| Respiratory acidosis | 0/28 (0) | 0/24 (0) | 0/4 (0) | |
| Metabolic alkalosis | 2/28 (7.1) | 2/24 (8.3) | 0/4 (0) | |
| Respiratory alkalosis | 3/28 (10.7) | 2/24 (8.3) | 1/4 (25) | |
| Metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis | 5/28 (17.9) | 3/24 (12.5) | 2/4 (50) | |
| Metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis | 4/28 (14.3) | 4/24 (16.7) | 0/4 (0) | |
| Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis | 6/28 (21.4) | 6/24 (25) | 0/4 (0) | |
| Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis | 6/28 (21.4) | 5/24 (20.8) | 1/4 (25) | |
| Minerals (mmol/L) | ||||
| Median sodium (IQR) | 134 (131.8-136) | 134 (132-136) | 134 (129.5-135.5) | 0.36 |
| Median potassium (IQR) | 4.1 (3.8-4.5) | 4.1 (3.8-4.5) | 4.1 (3.1-4.5) | 0.36 |
| Radiologic findingsg | ||||
| Lobar predominance | ||||
| Right upper lobe | 51/55 (92.7) | 45/48 (93.8) | 6/7 (85.7) | 0.43 |
| Right middle lobe | 50/55 (90.9) | 45/48 (93.8) | 5/7 (71.4) | 0.12 |
| Right lower lobe | 53/55 (96.4) | 46/48 (95.8) | 7/7 (100) | 0.76 |
| Left upper lobe | 49/55 (89.1) | 43/48 (89.6) | 6/7 (85.7) | 0.58 |
| Left lower lobe | 53/55 (96.4) | 46/48 (95.8) | 7/7 (100) | 0.76 |
| Scoring | ||||
| Lobar scores (IQR) | ||||
| Median right upper lobe score | 1 (1-2) | 1 (1-2) | 2 (1-3) | 0.12 |
| Median right middle lobe score | 2 (2-2) | 2 (1-2) | 2 (0-3) | 0.83 |
| Median right lower lobe | 2 (2-3) | 2 (2-3) | 2 (1-3) | 0.96 |
| Median left upper lobe score | 1 (1-2) | 1 (1-2) | 2 (1-3) | 0.11 |
| Median left lower lobe score | 2 (2-3) | 2 (2-3) | 2 (1-3) | 0.96 |
| Cumulative scores (IQR) | ||||
| Median total score | 8 (7-11) | 8 (7-11) | 9 (6-15) | 0.51 |
| Median lower lobes score | 4 (4-6) | 4 (4-6) | 4 (2-6) | 0.96 |
| Median middle lobe score | 2 (1-2) | 2 (1-2) | 2 (0-3) | 0.83 |
| Median upper lobes score | 2 (2-4) | 2 (2-4) | 4 (2-6) | 0.12 |
| Anatomic distribution | ||||
| Peripheral (subpleural) predominance | 55/55 (100) | 48/48 (100) | 7/7 (100) | |
| Central/perihilar predominance | 33/55 (60) | 28/48 (58.3) | 5/7 (71.4) | 0.41 |
| Unilateral | 1/39 (2.6) | 1/36 (2.8) | 0/3 (0) | 0.92 |
| Bilateral | 38/39 (97.4) | 35/36 (97.2) | 3/3 (100) | |
| Attenuation | ||||
| Ground-glass opacity | 45/55 (81.8) | 39/48 (81.3) | 6/7 (85.7) | 0.66 |
| Mixed (ground-glass opacity and consolidation) | 10/55 (18.2) | 9/48 (18.8) | 1/7 (14.3) | |
| Crazy paving appearance | 10/55 (18.2) | 7/48 (14.6) | 3/7 (42.9) | 0.10 |
| Other signs | ||||
| Reticulation | 1/55 (1.8) | 1/48 (2.1) | 0/7 (0) | 0.87 |
| Cavitation | 0/55 (0) | 0/48 (0) | 0/7 (0) | |
| Bronchiectasis | 0/55 (0) | 0/48 (0) | 0/7 (0) | |
| Pleural effusion | 4/55 (7.3) | 2/48 (4.2) | 2/7 (28.6) | 0.07 |
| Lymphadenopathy | 2/55 (3.6) | 2/48 (4.2) | 0/7 (0) | 0.76 |
| Treatments | ||||
| Admission to intensive care unit | 12/100 (12) | 0/85 (0) | 12/15 (80) | <0.001 |
| Mechanical ventilation | 13/100 (14) | 0/85 (0) | 13/15 (86.7) | <0.001 |
| Noninvasive ventilation | 2/100 (2) | 0/85 (0) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.02 |
| Invasive ventilation | 12/100 (12) | 0/85 (0) | 12/15 (80) | <0.001 |
| Medications | ||||
| Oseltamivir | 100/100 (100) | 85/85 (100) | 15/15 (100) | |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 94/100 (94) | 80/85 (94.1) | 14/15 (93.3) | 0.63 |
| Lopinavir/ritonavir | 60/100 (60) | 47/85 (55.3) | 13/15 (86.7) | 0.02 |
| Ribavirin | 12/100 (12) | 3/85 (3.5) | 9/15 (60) | <0.001 |
| Systemic glucocorticoids | 4/100 (4) | 1/85 (1.2) | 3/15 (20) | 0.01 |
| Losartan | 16/100 (16) | 14/85 (16.5) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.56 |
| ACE inhibitor | 3/100 (3) | 1/85 (1.2) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.06 |
| Levofloxacin | 52/100 (52) | 43/85 (50.6) | 9/15 (60) | 0.35 |
| Vancomycin | 32/100 (32) | 23/85 (27.1) | 9/15 (60) | 0.02 |
| Azithromycin | 21/100 (21) | 19/85 (22.4) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.34 |
| Ceftriaxone | 23/100 (23) | 20/85 (23.5) | 3/15 (20) | 0.53 |
| Piperacillin-tazobactam | 6/100 (6) | 5/85 (5.9) | 1/15 (6.7) | 0.63 |
| Meropenem | 6/100 (6) | 2/85 (2.4) | 4/15 (26.7) | 0.004 |
| Imipenem | 5/100 (5) | 4/85 (4.7) | 1/15 (6.7) | 0.56 |
| Ciprofloxacin | 3/100 (3) | 1/85 (1.2) | 2/15 (13.3) | 0.06 |
| Intravenous fluid therapy | ||||
| Solution type-number/total number | ||||
| Dextrose 3.3%-sodium chloride 0.3% | 24/86 (27.9) | 21/73 (28.8) | 3/13 (23.1) | |
| Sodium lactate | 5/86 (5.8) | 5/73 (6.8) | 0/13 (0) | |
| Sodium chloride 0.9% | 5/86 (5.8) | 3/73 (4.1) | 2/13 (15.4) | |
| Sodium chloride 0.45% | 46/86 (53.5) | 39/73 (53.4) | 7/13 (53.8) | |
| Dextrose 5%-saline 0.9% | 6/86 (7) | 5/73 (6.8) | 1/13 (7.7) | |
| Median solution amount (IQR)-cc/24 h | 1500 (1000-2000) | 1500 (1000-2000) | 1500 (1250-2000) | 0.12 |
| Clinical outcome at hospitalization data cut off | ||||
| Still hospitalized | 18/100 (18) | 18/85 (21.2) | 0/15 (0) | |
| Discharged from hospital | 70/100 (70) | 65/85 (76.5) | 5/15 (33.3) | |
| Death | 12/100 (12) | 2/85 (2.4) | 10/15 (66.7) |
aPreventive measures consisted of wearing a medical facial mask when in contact with the public, 2. To use an alcohol-based hand rub, 3. To wash hands regularly according to the WHO guideline[19], bThe patient’s occupation risk was classified into three groups. 1. Low exposure occupations that do not require close contact (at least within 6 feet) with the general public, 2. High exposure occupations that have frequent close contact (at least within 6 feet) with the general public, 3. Medical staff occupation was defined as a job in which people work in close proximity (at least within 6 feet) to patients known or suspected of COVID-19 infection[11], cFever was defined as an axillary body temperature of 37.8°C or above, dLymphocytopenia was defined as lymphocyte count <1500, eThrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count of <150,000, fESR normal range is dependent on age and sex of the patients and defined as follows=For male individuals <50 years of age; the normal range is below 15; for >50 and <85 years of age; the normal range is below 20; and for >85 years of age; the normal range is below 30. For female individuals 50 >years of age; the normal range is below 20; for >50 and <85 years of age; the normal range is below 30; and for >85 years of age; the normal range is below 42. Any values above the normal limits were defined as elevated ESR in table, gData regarding CT scan were missing for 45 patients due to the fact that they were performed at outside referring hospitals. IQR=Interquartile range; COVID-19=Coronavirus disease-2019; ACE=Angiotensin-converting-enzyme; WHO=World health organization, CT=Computed tomography, ESR=Erythrocyte sedimentation rate