Factors predicting severity of corona virus disease 2019 patients in Phang nga Province, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the 14th dangerous communicable disease in Thailand according to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The April outbreak during April 1–August 31, 2021 in Phang nga province found 1,082 cumulative confirmed cases, 11 cumulative deaths. The objectives of this study were to 1) describe epidemiology of COVID-19 patients and 2) analyze factors predicting severity of coronavirus disease 2019.
Method: The study samples consisted of 1,082 cases, were selected Purposive sampling from the database of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, which the April outbreak wave occurred in Phang nga Province during April 1–August 31, 2021.
Results: The majority of the study subjects were male 57.49%, age group < 60 years old 90.94%, single status 67.74%, Thai nationality 69.87%, no chronic comorbidity 90.85%, not severe 92.61%, had cough 67.9%, unvaccinated COVID-19 76.5%. Factors predicting the severity of COVID-19 patients with statistical significance (P-value < 0.05), by multivariable logistic regression analysis included chronic comorbidities (aOR = 13.73, 95% CI 7.68-24.53), absolute lymphocyte count < 1,000 cells/nm3 (aOR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.59–4.37), Thai nationality (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.28–5.24).
Conclusion and Recommendation: This research concluded that chronic comorbidities, absolute lymphocyte count < 1,000 cells/nm3, Thai nationality were pivotal risk factors for the severity of COVID-19 patients. Thus, COVID-19 patients with risk factors should be analyzed for absolute lymphocyte count < 1,000 cells/nm3 and receive appropriately prompt treatment for both COVID-19 and chronic comorbidities. There should be a prospective study to observe, monitor, and measure the severity of COVID-19 patients.