Clinical and laboratory findings of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Sep;120(9):1706-1718. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.12.003. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

Abstract

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to systematically review all COVID-19 publications to summarize the clinical features, assess comorbidities, prevalence, and disease outcomes.

Methods: Included were all COVID-19 published studies between January 1 to July 20, 2020. The random effect model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot for the standard error by logit event.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.8 years (95% CI, 41.0-52.6) and males comprised 54.0% (95% CI, 51.3-56.7). Total co-morbidities prevalence was 29.5% (95% CI, 19.0-36.6), with diabetes mellitus being the most prevalent 13.8% (95% CI, 8.7-21.1), followed by hypertension 11.7% (95% CI, 5.7-22.6), and cardiovascular disease 9.7% (95% CI, 6.5-14.2). The most common clinical manifestations were fever, 82.0% (95% CI, 67.7-90.8), cough 54.3% (95% CI, 45.5-62.9), fatigue 30.2% (95% CI, 23.3-38.1), sputum 28.5% (95% CI, 21.2-37.2), sore throat 21.7% (95% CI, 14.6-31.0), and headache 11.0% (95% CI, 7.9-15.2). The most common COVID-19 serious complications were RNA Anemia 98.2% (95% CI, 96.2-99.2), hospitalization 83.7% (95% CI, 76.0-89.3), bilateral pneumonia 70.9% (95% CI, 58.2-81.0); of those hospitalized 43.5% (95% CI, 24.9-64.2) were discharged. Fatality accounted for 10.5% (95% CI 6.8-16.1).

Conclusion: Patients infected with COVID-19 coronavirus showed a wide range of clinical presentation with non-specific symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical features; Epidemic; Meta-analysis; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Cough
  • Female
  • Fever / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2