Clinical profiles and mortality predictors of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Ethiopia.

Background: Studying the characteristics of hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is vital for understanding the disease and preparing for future outbreaks. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe the clinical profiles and factors associated with mortality among COVID-19 patients admitted to Jimma Medical Center COVID-19 Treatment Center (JMC CTC) in Ethiopia.

Methods: All confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to JMC CTC between 17 April 2020 and 05 March 2022 were included in this study. Socio-demographic data, clinical information, and outcome variables were collected retrospectively from medical records and COVID-19 database at the hospital. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 542 confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted to JMC CTC, of which 322 (59.4%) were male. Their median age was 48 years (IQR 32-64). About 51% (n = 277) of them had severe COVID-19 upon admission. Patients with hypertension [AOR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.02-7.7, p = 0.046)], diabetes [AOR: 8.8 (95% CI: 1.2-17.3, p = 0.039)], and underlying respiratory diseases [AOR: 18.8 (95% CI: 2.06-71.51, p = 0.009)] were more likely to present with severe COVID-19 cases. Overall, 129 (23.8%) died in the hospital. Death rate was higher among patients admitted with severe disease [AHR = 5.5 (3.07-9.9) p < 0.001)] and those with comorbidities such as hypertension [AHR = 3.5 (2.28-5.41), p < 0.001], underlying respiratory disease [AHR = 3.4 (1.97-5.94), p < 0.001], cardiovascular disease (CVDs) [AHR = 2.8 (1.73-4.55), p < 0.001], and kidney diseases [AHR = 3.7 (2.3-5.96), p < 0.001].

Conclusion: About half of COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital had severe disease upon admission. Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases were linked to severe illness. COVID-19 admissions were associated with high inpatient mortality, particularly among those with severe disease and comorbidities.