Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

Clinical Features and Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Northeastern Iran: A Retrospective Study of the Early Pandemic Period

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maral Barzegar-Amini 1
Zohreh Motedayen 2
Roshanak Khojasteh-Taheri 3
Fatemeh Motedayen 4
Parvaneh Layegh 5
Morteza Noorollahian 6
Mahnaz Amini 7
Saeed Akhlaghi 8
Mehdi Bakhshaee 6
1 Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Ortolaryngologist Resident, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3 3. Student of Pathogenic Microbes, Neyshaboor Azad Islamic University, Neyshaboor, Iran. 4. Department of Research, Faculty of medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4 Shariati Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
6 Sinus and Surgical Endoscopic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
7 Lung Disease Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
8 9. Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 10. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/psj.2026.95723.1531
Abstract
Background:
In this study, we described the demographic, clinical, radiological, laboratory, treatment, and outcome characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. These regional clinical data provide a historical record of disease presentation and outcomes.

methods:
In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized at two hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, between 20 February and 19 April 2020. Demographic, clinical, radiological, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate tests.

Results:
Among 164 patients, 99 (60.4%) were male; 17 (10.4%) died during follow-up. The most common symptoms were dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, sweats, and fever. The most common initial presenting symptoms were fever, chills, myalgia, fatigue, and cough. Bilateral lung involvement was seen in 95 (94.1%) of 101 patients who underwent chest imaging. The majority of patients received antibiotic therapy (92.7%). The most prevalent complications among fatal cases were ARDS, acute cardiac injury, and acute kidney injury.

Conclusions:
Men constituted a greater proportion of affected individuals. Older age and a history of cardiovascular disease were associated with mortality. Cough, dyspnea, and fatigue along with fever were considered as common symptoms. ARDS, acute cardiac injury, acute kidney injury, shock, and mechanical ventilation were observed more frequently among patients who died; these findings should be interpreted as markers or consequences of severe illness rather than evidence of causation. The treatment data describe historical practice during the study period and should not be interpreted as evidence of treatment efficacy.
Keywords
COVID-19
Clinical Features
Upper Respiratory
Lower Respiratory
Iran
Subjects
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Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement
Volume 14, Issue 4
Autumn 2026
Pages 245-258