Factors Associated with Mortality in Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Babol, North of Iran

Background: The spectrum of the clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spans from asymptomatic or mild disease to severe respiratory failure, while different factors are related to its mortality rate. This research aimed to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the associated factors of mortality in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from hospitalized patients (May to June 2020), and COVID-19 was confirmed in patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient group was classified into survivor and deceased groups. The chi-square and the independent t-test with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, version 18, were used for analysis. Results: Mean age, hemoglobin, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), white blood cells, and level of procalcitonin in non-survivors were significantly higher than in survivors. Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) had a significant relationship with Ddimer (p = 0.0006). The risk of mortality in patients with serum CRP ≥ 100 mg/dl was significantly higher than those with CRP < 100 mg/dl (odds ratio (OR) = 4.8 (95% CI, 1.33-12.44, p = 0.01). Conclusion: COVID-19 has different clinical features and can be an asymptomatic, mild, or severe disease. Thus, findings about the disease and the consequent outcomes differ in patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical features and consequences of COVID-19 infection.