Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Cases in A University Hospital in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: It is important to put forward the characteristics of the COVID-19 cases to fight the disease effectively. The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. And also to determine the risk factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the characteristics of the confirmed COVID-19 cases who applied to a University Hospital in Turkey between March 19th and June 11th, 2020, were analyzed. Variables such as epidemic trend, case fatality rate, need for hospitalization, ICU admission rate, and ICU mortality were calculated. In addition, risk factors affecting ICU admission and death were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: 19.8% of 654 cases participating in the study were asymptomatic at admission. ICU admission rate was 7.6% and case fatality rate found to be 7.8%. Age, male gender, and cancer were associated with ICU admission. Each 1-unit increase in age increased ICU admissions by 8% (OR: 1.08; CI: 1.06-1.10). Men had a 2.71 times higher risk of ICU admission (OR: 2.71; CI: 1.37-5.39); and cancer patients showed 3.72 (OR: 3.72; CI: 1.35-10.20) times more ICU admissions (p<0.05). Age, cancer, and ICU admission were associated with death. Each 1-unit increase in age increased the risk of death by 10% (OR: 1.10; CI: 1.06-1.15). The risk of death was found to be 5.22 times higher in cancer patients (OR: 5.22; GA: 1.09-24.89) and 87.42 times higher in those admitted to ICU (OR: 87.42; GA: 30.15-153.46) (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was revealed that the course of the disease worsens, and deaths increase with age. Male gender has been associated with the increased need for intensive care. Cancer was significantly associated both with ICU admission and death. Attention should be paid to the groups of elderly, men and those with a comorbidity. More detailed studies with larger samples are of critical importance in fighting against the pandemic. Key Words: Turkey, COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, epidemiology.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Adult Patients with COVID-19 and Severe Pneumonia: Single Center Experience of Eighty Patients

“…However, the follow-up rate in the intensive care unit of our current study population is 93.8% (n=75), and the mortality rate reported in the literature for patients who need follow-up in the intensive care is around 50% (21,22). In a study published in Turkey, on the other hand, this rate was reported as 78% (23). The mortality rate observed for the E a r l y A c c e s s patients who underwent TPE was 75.0% (n=60) on the 28 th day of the procedure in our study, and this rate is similar to the cases in which the procedure was not performed compared to the literature.…”

Prognostic Value of CYP1A2 (rs2069514 and rs762551) Polymorphisms in COVID-19 Patients

“…In a meta-analysis study involving 8,088 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, it was reported that patients aged 65 and over had higher rates of intensive care admission [23]. Teker et al (2021) stated that the course of COVID-19 disease gets worse with age and deaths increase [24]. Wang et al (2020) reported that the elderly are at higher risk for chronic diseases and infections and that mortality due to COVID-19 increases in those with hy-pertension and coronary heart disease [15].…”

Evaluation of the reasons for the non‑COVID‑19 status: A socio‑demographic analysis

“…Some studies conducted in Turkey have reported that the majority of patients with COVID-19 are males and of an older age. Healthcare workers are also at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 ( 6 , 7 ). This result has been attributed to the fact that ACE2 receptor expression is high in males; moreover, males lack estrogen and chromosome X protection ( 8 ).…”