COVID-19 inpatient treatments and outcomes during the conflict in Syria: an observational cohort study
Antoun, Ibrahim Kotb, Ahmed Barker, Joseph Somani, Riyaz Ng, G Andre
Antoun, Ibrahim
Kotb, Ahmed
Barker, Joseph
Somani, Riyaz
Ng, G Andre
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries undergoing conflict are having difficulties in mounting an effective health response. In this observational cohort study, we describe the treatment and outcomes of inpatients with COVID-19 in the Syrian city of Latakia.
Design and methods: A single-centre observational cohort study was conducted at Tishreen's University hospital involving all patients over 18 admitted between the 1st of October and 31st of December 2021 with positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Clinical features, investigations, treatments and outcomes were reported.
Results: A total of 149 patients fit the study criteria. Only one patient was double vaccinated against COVID-19. Oxygen supplementation was required in 87% (n=130) of participants. Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 4% (n=5). Therapeutic anticoagulation was administered in 97•3% (n=144). Intravenous dexamethasone was received by 97•3% (n=145) of participants. All patients received empiric antibiotics treatment. In-hospital mortality was 48•4% (n=72), whilst only 40•9% (n=61) were discharged home during the study period.
Conclusion: The pandemic has pushed a compromised Syrian healthcare system under more significant strain. This requires urgent international relief efforts from health agencies to aid in the pandemics response.
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Antoun, I., Alkhayer, A., Aboud, Y., Alkhayer, H., Kotb, A., Alkhayer, A., Barker, J., Somani, R., & Ng, G. A. (2022). COVID-19 inpatient treatments and outcomes during the conflict in Syria: an observational cohort study. IJID regions, 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.12.009. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.12.009