Clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcome of the mild and moderate COVID-19 infection

The aim of this study was to present our personal experience on the basis of the results of the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in our clinic. Clinical results of COVID-19 patients treated and observed by authors at the AMU Surgical Hospital were investigated. Patients' demographics, the severity of infection, co-morbidities, clinical signs, viral examination, lung X-ray and CT, complications, treatments and their results were analyzed. Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 were carried out under the recommendations of TABIB and WHO. Antiviral Arbidol (Umifenovir) and Vitamin C were mainly used for the treatment of patients of the mild group (stable vital functions, normal saturation, no pneumonia). Arbidol, vitamin C, inhalation, prone position and antibiotics were used in the middle group (with symptoms of pneumonia, and not need oxygen therapy). Treatment was carried out for 11-14 days. Clinically improved patients with positive dynamics on X-ray and negative results on repeated PCR examinations were discharged from the hospital and sent for the supervision of an outpatient doctor. A total of 77 patients were under our supervision, of which 58 had mild and 19 had moderate COVID-19 infection. Of these patients, 57 were women and 20 were men, with an average age of 47.5 (18-84). Patients over 50 years of age accounted for 45.4%, and over 60 years of age for 15.5%. The average age was 45.6 % among mild patients and 53.8% among the moderate patients. The proportion of men in the moderate group increased in comparison with the mild group (from 19% to 47.4%). Concomitant diseases were found in 34 (44.2%) patients, asthma, pregnancy, epilepsy, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, coronary heart disease, coronary stent, psychiatric illness, chronic kidney failure, bed sickness were observed besides smoking (11.7%), hypertension (9.1%) and diabetes (6.5%). In the moderate group, concomitant diseases were observed more in comparison with the mild group (39.7% and 57.9%). The most common clinical presentations were loss of smell and taste (67.5%) which were followed by cough (57.1%), fever (42.8%), shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing (24.6%). Mortality was not observed, complications were observed in 5 patients (6.5%), and all of these patients had concomitant diseases. Analysis of patients with mild and moderate COVID-19 infection allows us to come to the following primary conclusions: weakness, loss of smell and taste, and cough are the most common presenting symptoms; age over 60 years, age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and chronic liver disease are aggravating risk factors; inhalation and prone position seem to be useful in moderate patients.