Clinico-epidemiological Profile and Social Stigma in Hospitalised RT-PCR Confirmed COVID-19 Cases with and without Comorbidity

Introduction: The unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak has now spread to every nook of the world. It has contributed to an enormous adverse impact globally. Persons of every age group are likely to get infected but elderly people or those with comorbidities could develop a more serious illness. Objectives: To describe the clinico-demographic characteristics, various risk factors, and COVID-19 related social stigma among 135 hospitalised patients in north India and to find an association by comparing it with comorbidity. Methods: The present study is an observational analytical study carried out on 135 patients with RT-PCR confirmed cases admitted in a tertiary care hospital India aged between 15-79 years. Data were collected in a validated questionnaire specially designed for COVID-19 by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Result: A total of 135 patients were included (median age, 40 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 54-29; range, 15-79 years]; 62.9% Male). The presenting symptoms at the time of admission were fever (57.0%), cough (43.0%), fatigue (42.2%), and breathlessness (28.1%). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (20%), diabetes (14.1%), thyroid disorder (6.7%), cardiovascular diseases (3.7%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.4%) and 23.7% patients reported having at least one comorbidity. Patients without pre-existing diseases have more social stigma as compared to patients with comorbidities. Twenty eight percent reported use of AYUSH therapies as prophylactic measures. Conclusion: This study describes the clinico-demographic profile, baseline comorbidities, and social stigma associated with COVID-19 patients. Patients having comorbidity have less stigma, however, the family of both the groups were worried and supportive.