Clinical characteristics of 60 discharged cases of 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia in Taizhou, China

Abstract

Background: The number of patients with pneumonia stemming from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has increased rapidly. However, the clinical characteristics of discharged patients remain little known. Here, we attempt to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment experiences of discharged cases from Taizhou, China.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with COVID-19-infected pneumonia who were discharged from Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), from January 31, 2020, to February 16, 2020, were included in the analysis. The discharge criteria were based on the New Coronavirus Pneumonia Prevention and Control Program (Fifth Edition, China).

Results: Of the 60 patients, the median age was 41 years, and 58.3% were male. Only 13.3% of patients were identified as having severe novel coronavirus pneumonia. All patients received combined antiviral treatment on admission, including β-interferon, lopinavir/tonavir, Abidol and oseltamivir. All patients with severe conditions received gamma globulin and hormone therapy. No patients had endotracheal intubation or died. The median duration from symptom onset to hospitalization was 3 (range, 0-15) days. The median duration of COVID-19 shedding was 14 (range, 5-26) days, and the median duration of hospital stay was 15 (range, 7-23) days.

Conclusions: Early therapy and comprehensive therapy are key to the outcome for patients with COVID-19-infected pneumonia, especially for those with severe pneumonia.

Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000029866.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19); 2019 novel coronavirus-infection pneumonia (COVID-19-infection pneumonia; antiviral; early treatment.

Figure 1

The levels of inflammatory factors, including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TFN-γ (All data are expressed as Mean ± SE), at the time of hospital admission and at the time of testing negative for the virus. Differences were considered to be statistically significant when P<0.05.

Figure 2

Chest computed tomography of a severe case who was admitted from February 1, 2020, to February 11, 2020. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids and gamma globules from February 3, to February 10.