# Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Severity Among Hospitalized Patients in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Multicentre Study

## TL;DR

This study identifies risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients in the UAE, including obesity, diabetes, and dehydration, to help improve monitoring and early detection.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into specific clinical and epidemiological risk factors for severe COVID-19 in the UAE population.

## Key findings

- Obesity and diabetes were strongly associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Smoking and higher oxygen saturation were protective factors against severe disease.
- Delays in hospital admission and elevated blood markers were linked to increased severity.

## Abstract

To investigate the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19 cases in hospitalized patients across two emirates within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A retrospective observational analytical study analysed data from 738 medical records and conducted 573 in-depth interviews with patients hospitalized across multiple healthcare centers in the UAE, between 29 January 2020 and 14 October 2021. Regression analysis predicted risk factors for COVID-19 severity.

Main risk factors identified were crowding (aOR 1.919; 95%CI 1.144, 3.221), obesity (aOR 2.383; 95%CI 1.332, 4.263), diabetes (aOR 11.14; 95%CI 2.653–46.797), severe dehydration (aOR 3.219; 95%CI 2.161, 4.795), cough or sore throat (aOR 1.607; 95%CI 1.032, 2.502), shortness of breath (aOR 1.921; 95%CI 1.294, 2.853), increased days from symptom onset to admission (aOR 1.055; 95%CI 1.006, 1.105), elevated ANC (aOR 1.263, 95%CI 1.121, 1.424), and AST/SGOT (aOR 1.055, 95% CI 1.016, 1.095). Protective factors included smoking (aOR 0.367; 95%CI 0.182, 0.740), first dose of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR 0.595; 95%CI 0.377, 0.93), higher oxygen saturation (aOR 0.853; 95%CI: 0.801, 0.907) and elevated ALC (aOR 0.540; 95%CI 0.323, 0.905).

Identifying risk factors is crucial for high-risk individuals who may require closer monitoring to improve their outcomes. This can provide guidance for surveillance systems and early detection strategies to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44197-024-00206-8.