Alterations with PCR Positivity at Admission and Predictive Factors of Prolonged Hospital Stay in COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study is to investigate the baseline predictive factors of prolonged hospital stay and to compare the patient characteristics according to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity.
METHODS: Between March 11 and June 1, 2020, 234 patients hospitalized in a non-intensive care unit clinic with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included retrospectively. The duration of hospitalization were classified as ≤7 days and >7 days. Furthermore, according to real-time PCR (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab positivity, patients were divided into two Groups.
RESULTS: Of all the 234 patients, the mean age was 54±13 and 167 (71%) was male. Thirty-six (36%) were PCR positive (+) at the first swab samples. Hospital stay was longer than 7 days in 122 (52%) of the patients. Ten patients (4.3%) died within 60-days. PCR-positive cases had lower baseline leukocytes (p=0.002), C-reactive protein (p=0.001) values, whereas hemoglobin (p=0.001) and albumin levels (p<0.0001) were detected in PCR-positive patients. While demographics and mortality were similar, hospital stay longer than 7 days were detected in a higher rate in PCR-positive patients (p=0.025). The analysis on hospital stay proved that, apart from PCR positivity rate, baseline aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level prolongs hospital stay in COVID-19 patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates significant differences in patients with and without PCR positivity. Higher baseline AST levels and first PCR positivity prolongs hospital stay. Studies including larger patient groups would be better determine and enhance in this regard.