| Summary: | Objective
We examined the demographic, clinical characteristics and indicators of poor outcomes among hospitalised adults with COVID-19 infection at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica.
Methods
A retrospective medical record review between March 10 and December 31, 2020 was done and demographic clinical data were collected.
Results
There were 218 males (mean age 59.5 years) and 144 females (mean age 55.7 years). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity and chronic kidney disease were the most common comorbidities. Cough, shortness of breath, fever and malaise were the most common presenting complaints. Fifty-one per cent of patients were moderately to severely ill on admission; 11% were critically ill; 18% were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Death occurred in 62 (17%) patients (95% CI 13.6-21.4). Among obese participants, there were increased odds of developing respiratory failure (OR 5.2, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (OR 4.7, p < 0.001), sepsis (OR 2.9, p =0.013) and the need for ICU care (OR 3.7, p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with increased odds of death were age (OR 1.03 per year, p = 0.013) and obesity (OR 2.26, p = 0.017). Mortality also correlated significantly with D-dimer > 1000 ng/mL (OR 2.78; p = 0.03), serum albumin < 40 g/L (OR 3.54; p = 0.03) and serum LDH > 485 U/L OR 1.92, p = 0.11).
Conclusions
Comorbidities were prevalent among COVID-19 cases in this study. Significant correlates of mortality were older age and obesity. Hypoalbuminaemia, elevated D-dimer and serum LDH at admission also portend a poor prognosis.
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