COVID-19 or not COVID-19? Compared characteristics of patients hospitalized for suspected COVID-19

During an epidemic period, we compared patients hospitalized for initial suspicion of COVID-19 but for whom an alternative diagnosis was finally retained (n = 152) with those who had COVID-19 (n = 222). Most common diagnoses were another infectious disease and heart failure. COVID-19-negative patients were more often active smokers had less often cough, fever, and digestive symptoms, as compared to the 222 COVID-19-positive patients. They had higher median neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and lower CRP level. In multivariate analysis, no current smoking, neurocognitive disorder, myalgia, and fibrinogen >= 4g/L were independently associated with a final diagnosis of COVID-19.

Automated summary

During the epidemic period, patients hospitalized for initial suspicion of COVID-19 but eventually diagnosed with other diseases or conditions typically had a different profile compared to those with COVID-19 infection, including a higher prevalence of smokers, milder symptoms, and distinct blood markers.