Author/Authors :
Baghaei, Parvaneh Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Nadji, Alireza Virology Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Marjani, Majid Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Moniri, Afshin Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Hashemian, Mohammadreza Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Sheikhzade, Hakimeh Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Abtahian, Zahra Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Heshmatnia, Jalal Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Abedini, Atefeh Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Mansourafsha, Babak National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ahmadi, Zargham Hossein Lung Transplant Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Farzanegan, Behrooz Tracheal Diseases Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Varahram, Mohammad Mycobacteriology Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Zali, Alireza Research Center for Neurosurgery and Functional Nerves - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Tabarsi, Payam Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Velayati, Ali Akbar Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Following the recent epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, a novel betacoronavirus was isolated from two
patients in Iran on February 19, 2020. In this study, we aimed to determine the
clinical manifestations and outcomes of the first confirmed cases of COVID-19
infection (n=127).
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on all COVID-
19-suspected cases, admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital (a designated
hospital for COVID-19), Tehran, Iran, since February 19, 2020. All patients were
tested for COVID-19, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) assay. Data of confirmed cases, including demographic
characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes, were collected and compared
between three groups of patients, requiring different types of admission
(requiring ICU admission, admission to the general ward, and transfer to ICU).
Results: Of 412 suspected cases, with the mean age of 54.1 years (SD=13.4), 127
(31%) were positive for COVID-19. Following the patients’ first visit to the
clinic, 115 cases were admitted to the general ward, while ten patients required
ICU admission. Due to clinical deterioration in the condition of 25 patients (out
of 115 patients), ICU admission was essential. Based on the results, the baseline
characteristics of the groups were similar. Patients requiring ICU admission
were more likely to have multiorgan involvement (liver involvement, P<0.001;
renal involvement, P<0.001; and cardiac involvement, P=0.02), low O2
saturation (P<0.001), and lymphopenia (P=0.05). During hospital admission, 21
(16.5%) patients died, while the rest (83.5%) were discharged and followed-up
until March 26, 2020. Also, the survival rate of patients, who received
immunoglobulin, was higher than other patients (60.87% vs. 39.13%).
Conclusion: The mortality rate of COVID-19 patients was considerable in our
study. Based on the present results, this infection can cause multiorgan damage.
Therefore, intensive monitoring of these patients needs to be considered.
