Clinical profile and severity predictors of coronavirus disease 19 infection in a reference center from southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease pandemic has become a major global health crisis since 2019. Recent data show the association of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity with poor related outcomes in coronavirus disease infection. This descriptive study aimed to identify the clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with acute respiratory syndrome and confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data of 409 patients admitted to a referral hospital in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with coronavirus disease infection confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected retrospectively from electronic medical records using a template with the variables of interest. RESULTS: The average age was 64 years (52–73), and the body mass index was 27 kg/m² (22.1–31.2). Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were observed in 58, 33, and 32% of the patients, respectively. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit were older [66 years (53–74) vs. 59 years (42.2–71.7)], with significantly higher impairment on chest computed tomography [75% (50–75) vs. 50% (25–60)] and received higher doses of corticosteroid therapy [39.4 mg (14.3–70.3) vs. 6 mg (6–14.7)]. Hematological parameters were lower in critically ill patients, with greater differences observed on the fifth day of hospitalization [hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL (9.5–13.1) vs. 12.8 g/dL (11.5–14.2), platelets 235,000 μL (143,000–357,000) vs. 270,000 μL (192,000–377,000), and lymphocytes 900 μL (555–1,500) vs. 1,629 μL (1,141–2,329)]. C-reactive protein levels and kidney function were also worse in intensive care unit patients. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the intensive care unit compared to the basic care unit (62.8 vs. 12.2%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities, as well as abnormal hematological parameters, are common findings among patients with severe respiratory syndrome related to coronavirus disease.