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The Risk of Death in 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Hubei Province
40 Pages Posted: 19 Feb 2020
More...Abstract
Background: The current outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) in China and globally requires urgent research to guide the appropriate treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: We conducted a case-control study to the evaluate risk factors of death in patients with COVID-19. We used published data of cases from Huanan Seafood Market, Jinyintan Hospital, and deaths publicly released by the Government. The study included 41 patients partially exposed to the Huanan Seafood Market, 99 patients from Jinyintan Hospital, and 32 deaths (COVID-19 death group).
Findings: Compared to cases in the Huanan Seafood Market group and Jinyintan Hospital group, cases from the COVID-19 death group were older, with an earlier onset of dyspnea, as well as more comorbidities, shortness of breath, confusion, and chest pain. In the COVID-19 death group, patients that died within 14 days of the onset of the illness were older than patients that died after 14 days. Patients were more likely to be in the COVID-19 death group if they were older [odds ratios (OR) 26.0], had any comorbidity (OR 4.7), hypertension (OR 3.5), cardiovascular disease (OR 5.1), endocrine system disease (OR 3.5), and respiratory system disease (OR 18.1). These patients exhibited the following symptoms: shortness of breath (OR 11.8), confusion (OR 3.3), chest pain (OR 29.1), and fever + cough + shortness of breath (OR 4.4).
Interpretation: Old age, medical comorbidities, dyspnea, confusion, and chest pain at admission are associated with a higher risk of death in patients with COVID-19.
Funding Statement: The authors stated that there is no specific funding to disclose.
Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethics Approval Statement: The study was exempted from full review by the Institutional Review Board because the results consisted of de-identified publicly-published data.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus, COVID-19, 2019-nCoV, pneumonia, death
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