Low mortality of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary Danish hospital setting

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jan:102:212-219. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.018. Epub 2020 Oct 12.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of admitted COVID-19 patients in a Danish hospital setting where an early active government intervention was taken.

Methods: Prospective cohort study including all admitted patients to the COVID-19 unit at Odense University Hospital from March 10 to April 21, 2020. Patients were assessed by a multidisciplinary team at admission. Outcome parameters were development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, death and admission time.

Results: We included 83 patients (median age 62 years, 62.7% male). At hospitalization, 31.3% needed oxygen supplementation and the median National Early Warning Score was four. Median admission time was 7 days (Interquartile ranges (IQR) 3-12). In total, ARDS was diagnosed in 33.7% (28/83) of the patients corresponding to an incidence rate of 7.1 per 100 person days (95% CI: 4.1-10.2). Overall 13 patients (15.7%) were transferred to the ICU of whom 11 (84.6%) received corticosteroids.. No patients died while admitted to the ICU. Four patients (4.8%) died during admission.

Conclusion: Despite similar patient characteristics compared to those reported by others, we found a low overall mortality of < 5%.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; clinical; demography; epidemiology; mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19 / mortality*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • Young Adult