Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2022, Volume 34, Issue 1, Pages 1-8
https://doi.org/10.26715/JBMS.34_2022_1_1Ghufran Jassim1*, Maryam Naser2 , Fatema Almadhoob3 , Alaa Alakri4 , Rawaa Al Sayegh5 , Abdulkarim Abdul Rahman6 , Salman Al Ali7
1Associate Professorof family medicine, Department of family medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.
2,3,4,5Medical Resident, Department of Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex - Ministry of Health, Manama, Bahrain.
6,7Medical Resident, Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre, Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services, Riffa, Bahrain.
*Corresponding author:
Dr. Ghufran Jassim, Associate Professorof family medicine, Department of family medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain. E-mail: gjassim@rcsi-mub.com, Postal address: Po Box 15503, Adliya, Bahrain; Tel: (+973)-39680009. ORCID: 0001-6640-0558.
Received date: August 28, 2021; Accepted date: September 7, 2021; Published date: March 31, 2022
Abstract
Background: This study investigates the clinical characteristics of the first confirmed cases of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Bahrain.
Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study including the first 247 confirmed cases in Bahrain. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records.
Results: Mean Standard Deviation (SD) age of patients was 44.15 (16.5) years. More males were affected by the disease (61%; 151/274). Mean (SD) of the duration between confirmation and discharge was 9.8 (5.1) days. Of 247 patients, 4 deaths were reported (1.6%); 17.5% (24/137) showed a temperature of >37- on admission, with 4% (6/148) yielding an oxygen saturation of 94% or less. Leukopenia was reported in 36.8% of patients (63/171). One quarter of patients (25.5%) received oseltamivir, 24.7% received hydroxychloroquine sulfate (24.7%), and 1.2% received steroids.
Conclusion: In this study, the authors have captured the epidemiological and clinical profiles of the first cases of COVID-19 pertaining to the first wave of the pandemic in Bahrain. The early strict measures may have contributed to the lower incidence as well as lower morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 infection in Bahrain. Major gaps in our knowledge of the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 and its prognosis, outcomes, and associated risk factors indicate the need for further research.
Keywords: Bahrain, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, Coronavirus
Tables and Figures can be referred to in the PDF.