NYMC Faculty Publications
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.4269/ajtmh.21-1270
Journal Title
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
First Page
252
Last Page
259
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-17-2022
Department
Medicine
Abstract
Data from much of Africa are still scarce on the clinical characteristics, outcomes of treatment, and factors associated with disease severity and mortality of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Ethiopia's first COVID-19 treatment center. All consecutive symptomatic SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals, aged 18 and older, admitted to the hospital between March 13 and September 16, 2020, were included. Of the total 463 cases, 319 (68.9%) were male. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range 32-62). The most common three symptoms were cough (69%), shortness of breath (SOB; 44%), and fatigue (37%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity, followed by diabetes mellitus. The age groups 40 to 59 and ≥ 60 were more likely to have severe disease compared with those < 40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.88-6.31 and aOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.91-6.90, respectively). Other factors associated with disease severity included the presence of any malignancy (aOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.32-16.33) and SOB (aOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 2.35-6.25). The age group ≥ 60 was significantly associated with greater in-hospital mortality compared with those < 40 years. In addition, the presence of any malignancy, SOB, and vomiting were associated with higher odds of mortality. In Ethiopia, most COVID-19 patients were male and presented with cough, SOB, and fatigue. Older age, any malignancy, and SOB were associated with disease severity; these factors, in addition to vomiting, also predicted mortality.
Recommended Citation
Huluka, D. K., Etissa, E. K., Ahmed, S., Abule, H. A., Getachew, N., Abera, S., Seyoum, A. B., Araya, H., Hundie, T. G., Tadesse Anteneh, B., Gebremedhin, G. D., Gebregziabher, Y., Tefera, R. Y., Tereda, A. B., Feleke, Y., Abebe, Y., Gebremariam, T. H., Ahmed, H. Y., Amogne, W., Haisch, D. A., Sherman, C. B., & Schluger, N. W. (2022). Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 107 (2), 252-259. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-1270
