TYPE: Late Breaking Abstract
TOPIC: Chest Infections
PURPOSE: COVID 19 has spread as two distinct surges of cases throughout the world. Several countries have reported differences in disease severity, outcomes, and mortality in the two waves. This study aimed to describe and compare the in-hospital mortality in the two waves at a tertiary care COVID hospital in India.
METHODS: Retrospective data collection of in-hospital mortality records. Ethical clearance for the study was taken from institute ethical committee. Distinct periods of a surge in cases were defined as the First wave from March 2020 to December 2020 and the Second wave from April 2021 till 21st June 2021. The primary outcome for this study was to compare the mortality rates in form of Total Hospital Mortality Rate (TMR) and Case Fatality Rate (CFR).
RESULTS: We admitted 6333 patients during wave 1 and 2080 patients during wave 2. Mortality rates of wave 2 were approximately 10 times of wave 1 (TMR 20.3% in wave 2 versus 2.4% in wave 1 and CFR of 1.5% versus 17.7% in wave 1 and 2 respectively). The basic demographic profile (age and gender distribution) was comparable, however, mortalities in wave 2 had a larger proportion of severe disease at presentation.
CONCLUSIONS: The huge differences in the fatality rates may be attributed to the sudden surge in caseloads and patients presenting with more severe illness at the onset.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: high mortality of wave 2 in India might indicate changing clinical spectrum of the local viral strain to more severe disease at onset.
DISCLOSURE: Nothing to declare.
KEYWORD: COVID 19