Socio-clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Pandemic in Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Abstract Background: The pandemic COVID-19 disease has a massive impact on the whole world. There is a variation in clinical symptoms in different countries. In addition, there is a wide range of symptoms that involve most of the systems in the body including the respiratory system. However, there is no classical presentation of this devastating disease.Objective: To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection in Anbar Governorate, Iraq.Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The study covered the period from 1st of May to 30th of June 2020. All cases were confirmed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data concerning the age, gender, residence, occupation, clinical symptoms, smoking, history of systemic diseases, and the fate of the disease were collected from patients’ records. Results: Out of 481 patients, there were 259 males (53.8%). The age ranged from 12–104 years with a mean age of 45.7 ±16.11. The majority of the subjects were in the age group 36-58 years (n=204; 42.4%), urban (n=318; 66.1%), non-healthcare worker (n=447; 92.9%), and non-smoker (n=440; 91.5%). The main complaint was fever (n=300; 64.2%). The mortality rate was 5.6% (n=27). The increasing age, male gender, and patients with a history of systemic illnesses showed an increased impact on the death rate (P-value<0.05). While residence, occupation, and smoking didn't show a statistically significant difference (P-value>0.05).Conclusion: The fatality rate was 5.6%. Fever was the main feature of the COVID-19 infection. The elderly, males, and individuals with systemic diseases showed higher mortality rate.