Characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Data regarding the features and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Africa are increasingly available. Objectives: To describe socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 86 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March and November 2020. Char-acteristics were described in survivors and non-survivors.Results: Mean age was 60.9 +/- 16.1 years, 53(61.6%) were male. Co-morbidities were found in 77(89.5%) patients. On sever-ity, 6(7%) were mild, 23(26.7%) moderate, 51(59.3%) severe and 6(7%) critical. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were 71 +/- 22% and 38 +/- 11/minute in non-survivors and 90 +/- 7% and 31 +/- 7/minute in survivors respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001)). Overall mortality was 47.7% with no death among patients with mild disease and deaths in all patients with critical disease. Du-ration of hospitalization was 2.0(1.0-4.5) days in those who died and 12(7.0-15.0) days in those who survived (p<0.001). Of the 42 patients that received dexamethasone, 11(26.2%) died, while 31(73.8%) survived (p=<0.001).Conclusion: Most of the patients had co-morbidities and there was high mortality in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Mean oxygen saturation was low and respiratory rate high overall. Factors associated with mortality included: Significantly great- er hypoxia and tachypnea, less dexamethasone use and shorter hospitalization.