Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of 42 Deaths Due to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wuhan, China: A Retrospective Study

Background: In December 2019, 2019-nCoV appeared in Wuhan, China. Some of these cases led to death. Here, we describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients who died from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the potential risk factors associated with a fatal outcome. Methods: This retrospective case analyzed data from 42 death cases due to 2019-nCoV infection at Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, including demographics, clinical detection, laboratory findings, and treatments. Findings: The mean time to admission from symptom onset was11±5 days, the mean hospital stay was 5±4 days. Among the 42 patients, 71% were male, 60% had ≥1 co-morbidity. All patients had fever and bilateral pneumonia on computed tomography, abnormal nfection-related biomarkers, and renal impairment. Abnormal blood coagulation parameters seen in more than half of patients may be consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation. All these patients were treated in the ICU. Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2 infection carries a risk of mortality; based on this case series older men with underlying co-morbidities are likely at increased risk. Impaired consciousness level, markers of renal impairment and coagulation abnormalities may be poor prognostic factors. Funding Statement: This work was supported by grants from the Epidemiology, Early Warning, and Response Techniques of Major Infectious Diseases in the Belt and Road Initiative (#2018ZX10101002), National Natural Science Foundation of China (#81871699), and Foundation of Jilin Province Science and Technology Department (#172408GH010234983). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, approved this retrospective study. Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Commission of Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.