COVID-19 in Medical Students from Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín

Abstract

Introduction: The high incidence of sick people caused by COVID-19 has affected around 188 countries, of which Cuba is not exempt, with cases increasing to alarming figures.

Objective: To characterize, clinically and epidemiologically, SARS-CoV-2–positive medical sciences students, initially asymptomatic, from a student residence.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, case series study was carried out. The universe consisted of 26 COVID-19–positive patients who met the selection criteria, all of whom were studied. The following variables were used: age, sex, race, individual disease history, hematologic variables, present symptoms, polymerase chain reaction result, received treatment, adverse reactions to treatment. Descriptive statistics were used. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Pearson's chi-squared test were applied, with 95 % reliability.

Results: The male sex (76.9 %), black skin color (100 %) and a mean age of 25.2 years characterized the study. Infectious history (76.32 %, p = 0.006) was the most frequent comorbidity. Decreases in the frequency of symptoms present in patients were associated over time with CRP 1 (p = 0.047), CRP 2 (p = 0.000) and CRP 3 (p = 0.013). Being treated with these treatment schemes had a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of adverse reactions (chi square = 4.33; p = 0.03) and post-COVID-19 electrocardiographic alterations.

Conclusions: The presence of infectious history, decrease of symptoms according to the evolution of CRP results, and the risk of adverse reactions to the applied treatment schemes characterized the studied patients.