Dullabh, Dixit Anil2025-02-242023-11Dullabh, Dixit Anil. (2023). Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with COVID Admitted to a Tertiary Care Centre: A Retrospective Study at Tshepong Hospital. [Masters dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/43958https://hdl.handle.net/10539/43958A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine (MMed), to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.Introduction: In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in China. It has since then rapidly spread across the globe causing millions to die. In March 2020, the WHO declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. It’s clinical presentation and outcomes have been variable across the world. Thus, an analysis of the clinical characteristic and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 at a local setting, namely Tshepong Hospital. Objective: To determine the clinical presentation and outcomes, and correlate clinical and biochemical parameters to outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19 at Tshepong Hospital. Method: This is a single centre retrospective review of all patients with COVID-19 admitted at Tshepong Hospital during the period 1 June – 31 July 2020. The study contains both inferential and descriptive elements. Results: A total of 200 patients were admitted with COVID-19 during this study period, of which 135 were female and 65 males. The mean age was 53 years with no significant gender differences. 63% of patients had hypertension as a coexisting condition while 35% had diabetes mellitus. Presence of co-morbid conditions were associated with severe disease. Dyspnoea (73%) and cough (94%) were the predominant symptoms. Laboratory parameters including elevated white cell count, C-reactive protein, urea, and creatinine were associated with severe disease. Of the 200 patients, 36 were deemed as severe. 34 of these patients required ICU admissions. 17 demised showing a case fatality rate of 8%. Treatment options given were in keeping with guidelines. Conclusion: COVID-19 has proven to be a clinical and therapeutic challenge. Its main factors being its novelty and variable presentation across the globe. This study has shown that a local setting, not all data is congruent with national or global trends. This speaks to the need of more centres and countries looking at their own variation of COVID-19 presentations, thus challenging the clinical and therapeutic decisions around the disease.en©2023 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.COVID-19Tertiary CentreClinical characteristicsOutcomesTshepong HospitalDiabetes mellitusDyspnoeaCoughUCTDSDG-3: Good health and well-beingSDG-4: Quality educationDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg