Characteristics and early outcomes of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in North Zealand, Denmark

Dan Med J. 2020 Aug 12;67(9):A06200428.

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Limited data are available describing the clinical presentation and outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Europe.

Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective chart review of all patients with COVID-19 admitted to the North Zealand Hospital in Denmark between 1 March and 4 May 2020. Main outcomes include major therapeutic interventions during hospitalisation, such as invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as death.

Results: A total of 115 patients were included, including four infants. The median age of adults was 68 years and 40% were female. At admission, 55 (50%) patients had a fever, 29 (26%) had a respiratory rate exceeding 24 breaths/minute, and 78 (70%) received supplemental oxygen. The prevalence of co-infection was 13%. Twenty patients (18%) (median age: 64 years; 15% female) were treated in the intensive care unit. Twelve (10.4%) received invasive mechanical ventilation and three (2.6%) renal replacement therapy. Nine patients (8%) developed pulmonary embolism. Sixteen patients (14%) died. Among patients requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 12), seven (6.1%) were discharged alive, four (3.4%) died and one (0.9%) was still hospitalised.

Conclusion: In this cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, mortality was lower than in other Danish and European case series.

Funding: none.

Trial registration: not relevant.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / trends*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2