Author/Authors :
Ashraf, Mohammad Ali Student Research Committee - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Shokouhi, Nasim Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Shirali, Elham Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Davari‑Tanha, Fateme Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Shirani, Kiana Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Memar, Omeed Academic Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, Chicago, IL, USA , Kamalipour, Alireza Department of Ophthalmology - Hamilton Glaucoma Center - Shiley Eye Institute - University of California, San Diego, CA, USA , Azarnoush, Ayein Student Research Committee - Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran , Mabadi, Avin Student Research Committee - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ossareh, Adele Department of Statistics - Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran , Sanginabadi, Milad Department of Radiology - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mokhtari Azad, Talat The National Influenza Centre - School of Public Health -Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Aghaghazvini, Leila Department of Radiology - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ghaderkhani, Sara Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Poordast, Tahereh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - School of Medicine -Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Pourdast, Alieh Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Nazemi, Pershang Department of Infectious Diseases - Yas Complex Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: There is a growing need for information regarding the recent coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‑19). We present a
comprehensive report of COVID‑19 patients in Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred hospitalized patients with COVID‑19 were
studied. Data on potential source of exposure, demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features, therapy outcome, and postdischarge
follow‑up were analyzed. Results: The median age of the patients was 58 years, and the majority of the patients (72.7%) were above
50 years of age. Fever was present in 45.2% of the patients on admission. The most common clinical symptoms were shortness
of breath (74%) and cough (68%). Most patients had elevated C‑reactive protein (92.3%), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation
rate (82.9%), and lymphocytopenia (74.2%) on admission. Lower lobes of the lung were most commonly involved, and ground‑glass
opacity (81.8%) was the most frequent finding in computed tomography scans. The administration of hydroxychloroquine improved
the clinical outcome of the patients. Lopinavir/ritonavir was efficacious at younger ages. Of the 70 discharged patients, 40% had
symptom aggravation, 8.6% were readmitted to the hospital, and three patients (4.3%) died. Conclusion: This report demonstrates
a heterogeneous nature of clinical manifestations in patients affected with COVID19. The most common presenting symptoms are
nonspecific, so attention should be made on broader testing, especially in age groups with the greatest risk and younger individuals
who can serve as carriers of the disease. Hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir (in younger age group) can be potential treatment
options. Finally, patients discharged from the hospital should be followed up because of potential symptom aggravation.
