Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Young Adults with Mild Covid-19

Background

Stormy course has been reported among hospitalized adults with covid-19 in high- and middle-income countries. To assess clinical outcomes in consecutively hospitalized patients with mild covid-19 in India we performed a study.

Methods

We developed a case registry of successive patients admitted with suspected covid-19 infection to our hospital (n=501). Covid-19 was diagnosed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Demographic, clinical, investigations details and outcomes were recorded. Descriptive statistics are presented.

Results

Covid-19 was diagnosed in 234 (46.7%) and data compared with 267 (53.3%) negative controls. Mean age of covid-9 patients was 35.1±16.6y, 59.4% were <40y and 64% men. Symptoms were in less than 10% and comorbidities were in 4-8%. History of BCG vaccination was in 49% cases vs 10% controls. Cases compared to controls had significantly greater white cell (6.96+1.89 vs 6.12+1.69×10 ⁹ cells/L) and lower lymphocyte count (1.98+0.79 vs 2.32+0.91×10 ⁹ cells/L). No radiological and electrocardiographic abnormality was observed. All these were isolated or quarantined in the hospital and observed. Covid-19 patients received hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin according to prevalent guidelines. One patient needed oxygen support while hospital course was uncomplicated in the rest. All were discharged alive. Conversion to virus negative status was in 10.2±6.4 days and was significantly lower in age >40y (9.1±5.2) compared to 40-59y (11.3±6.1) and ≥60y (16.4±13.3) (p=0.001).

Conclusions

This hospital-based registry shows that mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic young covid-19 patients have excellent prognosis.

What is already known on this subject?

• High rates of morbidity and mortality following hospitalization for covid-19 has been reported from most developed countries.

• In most developing countries covid-19 patients with mild disease are also hospitalized due to lack of home isolation. Clinical outcome of such patients has not been well studied.

What this study adds?

• We performed a clinical registry of successive young patients with mild covid-19 hospitalized with minimal symptoms and comorbidities.

• None of the patients developed complications and all were discharged alive.