Publication:

Duration of viral clearance and factors associated with viral clearance among COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary care center in north Kerala

Background COVID-19 pandemic has afflicted the global health scenario for nearly two years. There are limited studies regarding potential predictors of viral clearance in COVID-19 patients. These predictors can aid in identifying patients with prolonged viral shedding and initiate further research for interpreting host immune response to COVID-19. Viral clearance data in treated patients may shed light on the relationship between the host immune system and SARS-CoV-2. Objective of this study was to estimate viral clearance and study the factors associated with viral clearance in COVID-19 patients.

Methods A descriptive study was conducted among 588 COVID-19 patients admitted during the 6-month study period. Data was collected from case records and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results expressed as mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages. Pearson Chi square test used to find association between viral clearance and associated factors.

Results Among the 588 COVID-19 patients, majority (54%) were females. 21-30 years age-group had the maximum proportion (29.2%) of cases. Most common comorbidity reported was diabetes mellitus. The mean duration of viral clearance (VC) was 8.16±2.1 days. Delayed viral clearance was present in 21% of the study population. There was statistically significant association between male gender and delayed viral clearance. ICU admission and delayed VC also had significant association, with 95% of those admitted in ICU having delayed VC. Male gender could be a confounding variable for association between ICU admission and delayed viral clearance.

Conclusions One fifth of the study population had delayed viral clearance. Delayed viral clearance is associated with male gender and ICU admission.