Prevailing symptomatology leading to search for health assistance in patients hospitalized by COVID-19 during the first wave
Section: Originals
How to quote
Hernández-Bello E, Puig-Oliván C, López-Galindo A, García-García LR. Sintomatología predominante que motivó la consulta sanitaria en pacientes que fueron hospitalizados por COVID-19 en la primera ola. Metas Enferm mar 2022; 25(2):17-24. Doi: https://doi.org/ 10.35667/MetasEnf.2022.25.1003081882
Authors
Estela Hernández Bello1, Clara Puig Oliván2, Andrea López Galindo3, Laura Rebeca García García2
Position
1Doctora en Ciencias de la Salud. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza (España)2Máster Universitario en Gerontología Social. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza (España)3Máster Universitario en Ciencias de la Enfermería. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza (España)
Contact address
Estela Hernández Bello. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Unidad de Medicina Interna A. Avda. San Juan Bosco, 15. 50009 Zaragoza (España)
Contact email: estelahbello@gmail.com
Abstract
Objective: to identify the prevailing symptom leading patients to look for health assistance initially and, subsequently, the symptom causing more discomfort while they were hospitalized.
Methods: a study was conducted on a patient cohort admitted to hospital for COVID-19 during March and April 2020 (first wave), at the Internal Medicine Hospitalization Unit of the Hospital Clínico Lozano-Blesa (Zaragoza, Spain). The study included >18-year old persons, conscious and oriented, and able to communicate coherently during the interview for evaluation and hospital admission. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were studied, as well as the symptom which led to the consultation and the one causing higher discomfort, the healthcare resource contacted, reason for discharge, and days of hospital stay, among others. Descriptive analysis was conducted.
Results: out of the 70 persons included in the study, 61.4% (n= 43) were male, 55.7% (n= 39) came from an urban setting, and their mean age was 60.5 (14.9) years. The mean number of days at home since start of symptoms until admission was 6.9 (4.9). The more prevailing symptom generating the first consultation was fever (47.1%, n= 33), and 50% (n= 35) of patients presented at Primary Care. The symptoms generating higher discomfort during hospitalization were dyspnea (17.1%, n= 12), fever (14.3%, n= 10) and cough (12.9%, n= 9).
Conclusions: the most prevailing symptom generating the first consultation was fever. The symptoms which generated higher discomfort during hospitalization were dyspnea, fever and cough.
Keywords:
coronavirus infections; symptom evaluation; hospital economy; COVID-19
Versión en Español
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