Publication: Epidemiological, Clinical Profile and Outcome of Hospitalized COVID Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nepal during the Second Wave
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
COVID-19 caused a global pandemic. It caused significant morbidity and mortality
worldwide. The cases peaked at different intervals. The second wave, worldwide,
was caused by delta variant. Majority of cases occurred from April 2021 to November
2021. Nepal was also affected during this period, causing a shortage of intensive care
unit beds, oxygen supplies, and trained healthcare professionals.
Objective
To assess the clinical profile and outcome of patients admitted to a tertiary hospital
in Nepal.
Method
An observational study was conducted with data collected from the medical records
department after obtaining permission from the hospital authority and ethical
clearance from the institutional review board. Sociodemographic variables, clinical
profiles including symptoms on presentation, laboratory and imaging reports,
duration of hospital stay, and outcome were obtained. Data were entered into SPSS
and analysed.
Result
Among 307 patients,. mean age of the patients was 58.73 years (S.D=17.77). Most
common reported symptoms were breathlessness in 59.6% (53.9, 65.1), fever in
58.6% (52.9, 64.2) and cough in 44.3% (38.6, 50.1) cases. The mortality rate was
found to be 38.8% (33.2%, 44.5%). Breathlessness on presentation was associated
with increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 3.24, 95% CI 1.88, 5.60).
Males were found to be at 1.77 (95% CI 1.01, 3.11) times risk of death as compared
to females.
Conclusion
Nearly two-third of admitted patients had at least one or more comorbidities.
Variability in symptoms on presentation may predict possible patient outcomes. The
government should prioritize infectious diseases and plan for disease outbreaks at
the national, provincial, and local levels.
KEY WORDS
COVID-19, Comorbidities, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Mortality
Description
Dhungana D,1 Acharya RR,1 Banstola B,2 Tiwari R,3 Dawadi V4
1Department of Internal Medicine
Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Phoolbari, Pokhara, Gandaki Province
Kaski, Nepal
2Department of Nursing Administration
3Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences
Pokhara, Kaski, Gandaki Province, Nepal
4Bakulahar Ratnanagar Hospital
Ratnagar-2, Chitwan, Nepal
Keywords
COVID-19, Comorbidities, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Mortality