Length of Hospital Stay of COVID-19 Patients managed at the Lagos State Isolation Centres during the First Wave of the Pandemic

A. O. Adejumo, T. B. Ogunniyan, O. D. Oladokun, O. B. Oluwadun, S. Adesola, W. B. Mutiu, I. A. Abdus-Salam, B. A. Saka, A. V. Adetola, A. O. Ogunsanya, J. Okediran, S. Mba, O. M. Oyadotun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lagos State has the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. We assessed the factors predicting
the length of hospital stay of COVID-19 patients admitted in
15 isolation centres across the state.

METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records of all
COVID-19 patients admitted and discharged between February
27, 2020, and September 30, 2020. Logistic and linear regressions
were used to assess factors predicting the length of hospital
stay.

RESULTS: A total of 3153 records were reviewed, of which
2623 (83.2%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients
admitted was 40.5 (Sd 14.8) years. The age range was four days–
97 years. A total of 1258 (48.0%) were symptomatic, while 2056
(78.4%) and 567 (21.6%) presented with mild and severe disease,
respectively. Cough (22.0%), fever (17.3%) and breathlessness
(12.3%) were the most common symptoms at presentation.
Generally, the median length of hospital stay was 11 (IQR 9, 14)
days. A total of 1609 (61.3%) had a prolonged length of hospital
stay. The odds for prolonged hospital stay was higher among
elderly patients (AOR 12.1 95%CI 7.6–19.4, p<0.001), male (AOR
1.2 95%CI 1.0–1.4, p=0.031) and patients with severe disease
(AOR 1.3 95% CI 1.0–1.7, p=0.042). Age, hypertension and
shortness of breath made the most significant contribution to
predicting the length of hospital stay (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Age, gender, hypertension and breathlessness
predicted the length of hospital stay. Proactive measures should
be instituted in managing COVID-19 patients. WAJM 2022;
39(3): 269–274.

Keywords: COVID-19, clinical presentation, length of hospital
stay, Lagos.