Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Cases in A University Hospital in Turkey

Objective: It is important to put forward the characteristics of the COVID-19 cases to fight the disease effectively. The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. And also to determine the risk factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the characteristics of the confirmed COVID-19 cases who applied to a University Hospital in Turkey between March 19th and June 11th, 2020, were analyzed. Variables such as epidemic trend, case fatality rate, need for hospitalization, ICU admission rate, and ICU mortality were calculated. In addition, risk factors affecting ICU admission and death were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: 19.8% of 654 cases participating in the study were asymptomatic at admission. ICU admission rate was 7.6% and case fatality rate found to be 7.8%. Age, male gender, and cancer were associated with ICU admission. Each 1-unit increase in age increased ICU admissions by 8% (OR: 1.08; CI: 1.06-1.10). Men had a 2.71 times higher risk of ICU admission (OR: 2.71; CI: 1.37-5.39); and cancer patients showed 3.72 (OR: 3.72; CI: 1.35-10.20) times more ICU admissions (p<0.05). Age, cancer, and ICU admission were associated with death. Each 1-unit increase in age increased the risk of death by 10% (OR: 1.10; CI: 1.06-1.15). The risk of death was found to be 5.22 times higher in cancer patients (OR: 5.22; GA: 1.09-24.89) and 87.42 times higher in those admitted to ICU (OR: 87.42; GA: 30.15-153.46) (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was revealed that the course of the disease worsens, and deaths increase with age. Male gender has been associated with the increased need for intensive care. Cancer was significantly associated both with ICU admission and death. Attention should be paid to the groups of elderly, men and those with a comorbidity. More detailed studies with larger samples are of critical importance in fighting against the pandemic. Key Words: Turkey, COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, epidemiology.