Clinical findings of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Jiangsu province, China: A retrospective, multi-center study

Abstract

Limited data are available for clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outside Wuhan. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and identify the risk factors for severe illness of COVID-19 in Jiangsu province, China. Clinical data of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were retrospectively collected in 8 hospitals from 8 cities of Jiangsu province, China. Clinical findings of COVID-19 patients were described and risk factors for severe illness of COVID-19 were analyzed. By Feb 10, 2020, 202 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. The median age of patients was 44.0 years (interquartile range, 33.0–54.0). 55 (27.2%) patients had comorbidities. At the onset of illness, the common symptoms were fever (156 [77.2%]) and cough (120 [59.4%]). 66 (32.7%) patients had lymphopenia. 193 (95.5%) patients had abnormal radiological findings. 11 (5.4%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and none of the patients died. 23 (11.4%) patients had severe illness. Severe illness of COVID-19 was independently associated with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m² (odds ratio [OR], 9.219; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.731 to 31.126; P2 and a known history of type 2 diabetes were independent risk factors of severe illness in patients with COVID-19. We reported the epidemiology, clinical laboratory, radiological characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes of 202 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 8 hospitals from 8 cities of Jiangsu province, China. In this case series in Jiangsu Province, COVID-19 patients had less severe symptoms and had better outcomes than the initial COVID-19 patients in Wuhan. The BMI ≥ 28 kg/m² and a known history of type 2 diabetes were independent risk factors of severe illness in patients with COVID-19. Sustained intensive control efforts remain urgently needed to minimize the risk of COVID-19.