# COVID-19 Recovery Time and Its Predictors among Hospitalized Patients in Designated Hospitals in the Madhesh Province of Nepal: A Multicentric Study

## TL;DR

This study examines how long it takes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Nepal to recover and finds that severe cases and lower oxygen levels are linked to slower recovery.

## Contribution

The study identifies predictors of recovery time for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Nepal using a Cox proportional hazard model.

## Key findings

- The median recovery time for hospitalized patients was 26 days.
- Severe or critical patients had a lower chance of recovery (HR = 0.34).
- Higher oxygen saturation levels were associated with faster recovery (HR = 1.09).

## Abstract

This study aimed to determine COVID-19 recovery time and identify predictors among hospitalized patients in the Dhanusha District of Madhesh Province, Nepal. This hospital-based longitudinal study involved 507 COVID-19 patients admitted to three distinct medical facilities for therapeutic intervention between April and October 2021. Data were collected for patient demography, symptoms, vital signs, oxygen saturation levels, temperatures, heart rates, respiratory rates, blood pressure measurements, and other health-related conditions. Kaplan–Meier survival curves estimated the recovery time, and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the predictors of recovery time. For the total participants, mean age was 51.1 (SD = 14.9) years, 68.0% were males. Of the total patients, 49.5% recovered, and 16.8% died. The median for patient recovery was 26 days (95% CI: 25.1–26.7). Patients with severe or critical conditions were less likely to recover compared to those with milder conditions (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15–0.79; p = 0.012). In addition, an increase in oxygen saturation was associated with an elevated likelihood of recovery (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01–1.17, p = 0.018). This study underscores the need for early admission to hospital and emphasizes the targeted interventions in severe cases. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of optimizing oxygen levels in COVID-19 patient care.