Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients Hospitalized at the Epidemic Treatment Center (ETC) in Saint-Louis, Senegal during the First Two Waves

Abstract

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major public health emergency. Several risk factors are involved in the occurrence of respiratory distress that can lead to death despite resuscitation measures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolution profile of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at the CTE of Saint-Louis (Senegal) during the first two waves. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study that included all patients hospitalized at the ETC of Saint-Louis (Senegal) with SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020 to April 2021. Results: A total of 358 cases were collected, 256 (71.5%) during the first wave and 102 (28.5%) during the second wave. The mean age was 49.5 years (±19.5). There was a male predominance (58.4%), with a sex ratio of 1.4. Hypertension was the main comorbidity, with 87 cases (24.3%). The most common functional signs were cough in 194 cases (54.2%), dyspnea in 143 cases (40%) and ageusia in 134 cases (37.4%). Thoracic CT scans were performed on 20 patients (5.6%), with severe involvement (50% - 75%) observed in 50% of cases. Hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin was prescribed to 351 patients (98%). Overall, 338 (94.4%) recovered and 17 (4.7%) died. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with death were male sex [OR = 2.645; 95% CI: 1.530 - 4.785; p = 0.011], age ≥ 60 years [OR = 1.039; 95% CI: 0.564 - 1.914; p = 0.002], the presence of comorbidities [OR = 2.171; 95% CI: 0.564 - 3.429; p = 0.033], SpO2 (ambient air) ≤ 95% [OR = 2.061; 95% CI: 0.616 - 3.827; p = 0.03], acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [OR = 0.635; 95% CI: 0.316 - 1.275; p = 0.001], severe form [OR = 1.664; 95% CI: 0.298 - 2.478; p = 0.016], occurrence of complications [OR = 0.521; 95% CI: 0.287 - 0.944; p = 0.032], high creatinine levels [OR = 2.061; 95% CI: 1.616 - 3.827; p = 0.026], and lymphopenia [OR = 0.485; 95% CI: 0.370 - 0.636; p = 0.001]. Conclusion: In our series, infection with SARS-CoV-2 was associated with low lethality. Several risk factors were identified that need to be considered for successful management of patients.