[Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and progression of SARS-CoV-2 patients in two health areas of Extremadura during the first six months of the pandemic].

Abstract

Objective: To describe clinical and sociodemographic characteristics as well as the outcome of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in first six months of the pandemic.

Design: Observational and ambispective study. SITE: Primary Care (two Health Areas in Extremadura).

Participants: A total of 1,422 patients were included (mean age 45.6 years; 53.2% women) who had the ICPC-2 diagnostic code for "confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection" recorded in their clinical history during the first six months of the pandemic.

Interventions: Not necessary.

Main measurements: Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics as well as outcome of patients (hospital visits, admissions and mortality).

Results: The mean age (50.8 vs. 42.3 years, p<0.001), and prevalence of most of the comorbidities, dependent patients (13.8% vs. 4.0%), and residents in social care institutions (15.4% vs. 3.1%) were higher in the Don Benito-Villanueva area than in Badajoz. The predominant age group was 19-49 years (44.4%). 41.4% of patients were actively employed, mainly in National Classification of Occupations groups 2, 5, and 9, while 16.5% were social healthcare professionals. 16.5% of patients visited the hospital, 13.4% required hospitalization. Among those who consulted in hospital emergency departments independently, 46.2% were hospitalized, compared to 78.8% of those referred from primary care (p=0.000). The overall mortality rate was 2.0% (3.1% in Don Benito-Villanueva versus 1.3% in Badajoz; p=0.016) increasing to 8.9% among hospitalized patients.

Conclusions: Sociodemographic and clinical differences were noted between the two health areas. Most infections were managed in primary care, while those referred to the hospital had a higher hospitalization rate.