Symptoms and clinical features of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in domiciliary care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v38i3.13243Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Primary health care, Family practitionerAbstract
Introduction: Around 80 to 85% of patients with COVID-19 infection have mild to moderate symptoms. Thus, a better understanding of the course of the disease, as well as signs of clinical deterioration might play a great role in improving the follow-up of such patients and anticipating complications.
Objective: Evaluate the clinical features and the course of the disease in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, eligible for domiciliary care according to primary health care criteria at the moment of diagnosis.
Methods: From the 26th and 30th of June of 2020, the patients that were allocated to the Family Health Care Unit with confirmed infection were identified. The data was collected through phone calls and the following variables were considered: case numbers, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as well as the progression of the disease. The data analysis was done using Microsoft® Excel software program.
Results: Out of the 41 patients evaluated, 53.7% were female and the age average was 44.9 years. The average duration of the symptomatic period was 15.9 days and myalgia were the most common symptom reported. Regarding the comorbidities of the patients involved in the study, the condition most frequently found was arterial hypertension (22%). During this study, only 14.6% needed evaluation at COVID-19 dedicated centers in primary care or hospital admission.
Conclusion: Flu-like symptoms such as myalgias (61%), headache (58.5%), tiredness (56.1%), and cough (48.8%) were the most frequently reported. Obesity was the only comorbidity present in the single patient that needed hospital admission. This condition is acknowledged as a risk factor for COVID-19 complications, as is patient age (above 65 years), cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and diabetes. This study has provided valuable data for COVID-19 description and states the importance of family practitioners in the follow-up of these patients and management of healthcare resources.
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