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Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Africa: Early Insights from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2020; American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Volume: 103; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4269/ajtmh.20-1240

1476-1645

Jean B. Nachega, Daniel Katuashi Ishoso, John Otshudiema Otokoye, Michel P. Hermans, Rhoderick Machekano, Nadia A. Sam‐Agudu, Christian Bongo-Pasi Nswe, Placide Mbala‐Kingebeni, Joule Madinga, S.K. Mukendi, Marie Claire Kolié, Edith Nkwembe, Gisèle Mbuyi, Justus Nsio, Didier Mukeba Tshialala, Michel Tshiasuma Pipo, Steve Ahuka‐Mundeke, Jean‐Jacques Muyembé‐Tamfum, Lynne Mofenson, Gerald E. Smith, Edward J. Mills, John W. Mellors, Alimuddin Zumla, Don Jethro Mavungu Landu, Jean-Marie Kayembe,

COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction

Little is known about the clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 10, 2020 and July 31, 2020 at seven hospitals in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Outcomes included clinical improvement within 30 days (primary) and in-hospital mortality (secondary). Of 766 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 500 (65.6%) were male, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 46 (34-58) years. One hundred ninety-one (25%) patients had severe/critical disease requiring admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). Six hundred twenty patients (80.9%) improved and were discharged within 30 days of admission. Overall in-hospital mortality was 13.2% (95% CI: 10.9-15.8), and almost 50% among those in the ICU. Independent risk factors for death were age < 20 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 6.62, 95% CI: 1.85-23.64), 40-59 years (aHR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.83-10.79), and ≥ 60 years (aHR = 13.63, 95% CI: 5.70-32.60) compared with those aged 20-39 years, with obesity (aHR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.24-4.27), and with chronic kidney disease (aHR = 5.33, 95% CI: 1.85-15.35). In marginal structural model analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in odds of clinical improvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.88-2.67, P = 0.132) nor risk of death (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.35-1.20) when comparing the use of chloroquine/azithromycin versus other treatments. In this DRC study, the high mortality among patients aged < 20 years and with severe/critical disease is of great concern, and requires further research for confirmation and targeted interventions.