Clinical Symptoms and Haematological Characteristics among Male and Female COVID-19 Patients in Rivers State: A Single-center Case Reviews

Objectives: The study seeks to assess the sex differences in reported clinical symptoms and haematological parameters of hospitalized COVID-19 cases.

Study Design: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Covid-19 Treatment Centre, Rivers State, between May 2020 and July 2020.

Methodology: Descriptive data collection for patients diagnosed of COVID-19 was employed within the months of May to July 2020. A comparison of demographic profile, presenting symptoms, comorbidities and laboratory findings between males and females was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Ethical approval was obtained prior to commencing data collection.

Results: In this study, data of 56 patients were analyzed of which 31 (55.4%) were males and 25 (44.6%) were females. The mean age for all patients was 36 years and males had a higher mean age (40 ± 12.6) compared to females (31 ± 8.8). Twelve patients (21.4%) reported pre-existing co-morbidities and Hypertension 11 (19.6%) was the prevalent co-morbidity followed by peptic ulcer 2 (3.6%) and Diabetes 2 (3.6%) and these were more common among males. Triglyceride level was significantly higher among females (p= 0.028) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level was significantly lower among females (p= 0.044) while systolic blood pressure level was significantly higher among males (p= 0.011).

Conclusion: Though similar symptoms and haematological findings occur in males and females, specific disparities in some parameters were observed. We recommend healthcare personnel to consider these differences when caring for patients hospitalized for COVID-19.