EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, CLINICAL, AND LABORATORY FINDINGS IN COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS OF QUETTA, PAKISTAN: A RETROSPECTIVE MULTI-CENTERD STUDY

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 in humans and animals. This study aimed to find out socio-demographic factors, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings in COVID-19 diseased patients. Data was collected on a predesigned questionnaire from COVID-19-positive patients admitted to hospitals. Blood samples were collected for hematology, and serum biochemical analysis. A total of 199 COVID-19-positive patients were enrolled, among which 145 (72.86%) were from the Quetta division. High prevalence was observed in the age group 51-75 years. Amidst total, 127(63.8%) males and 72(36.2%) were female patients including 78(39.2%) smokers. Forty-nine 49(24.6%) hospitalized patients were critical, 52(26.1%) moderate and 98(49%) with mild health issues. Patients diagnosed with comorbidities like diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease. The total death rate was 33(16.58%). Patients presented general symptoms and infrequent symptoms of diarrhea, chest distress, breath shortness, and vomiting. Increased count of leucocytes and neutrophils and lower count of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, and lymphocytes were measured in critical patients. Higher level of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, urea, and creatinine, was measured in critical patients. Impairments in hematological parameters such as biochemical profiles predict disease severity in patients and serve as indicators for the prognosis and severity of COVID-19.