Profile of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who recovered in a reference hospital in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the epidemiological profile of hospitalized patients who recovered from COVID-19 in a public referral hospital in Rio Grande do Norte. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study conducted using data from individual case report forms of severe acute respiratory syndrome among patients hospitalized in a referral hospital for COVID-19. Information was obtained from the Epidemiological Surveillance Center and the Influenza Surveillance Information System. Data analysis was performed using statistical software, considering frequencies, measures of central tendency, and variability. Results: A total of 185 patients were included. Most were male (65.9%), White (60.5%), had a mean age of 53 years, and low educational attainment, with only 4.9% having completed higher education. The most frequent signs and symptoms were oxygen saturation < 95%, cough, dyspnea, fever, respiratory distress, and fatigue. It was observed that 73.62% had not received a COVID-19 vaccine, and among those vaccinated (26.38%), AstraZeneca was the most commonly used vaccine (7.0%). The most frequently requested tests were chest computed tomography and RT-PCR. Conclusion: These findings may support public policies, care strategies, and measures for the prevention and control of the disease.