Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cured and dead patients, analyze the differences, and provide theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods Totally, 113 COVID-19 patients treated in Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 10 to February 15, 2020 were divided into cured group (n=69) and death group (n=44). The clinical features, laboratory examination and imaging results of the two groups were collected, and the differences between the two groups and their relationship with prognosis were analyzed.

Results 113 COVID-19 patients with an average age of (58.6±15.9) years old, includes 68 males and 45 females. Compared with the cured group, the patients in the death group were older, the proportion of males was higher, the proportion of complications was higher, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In terms of imaging, the death group was more likely to show diffuse infection of both lungs (P < 0.05). In the laboratory examination, the leukocyte count and neutrophil count of the death group were significantly higher than those of the cured group, while the lymphocyte count was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Among the inflammation related indexes, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-D dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the death group were significantly higher than those in the cured group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of indexes with statistical differences showed that the area under the curve of D-D dimer was higher than other indexes, with sensitivity of 90.3% and specificity of 90.2%.

Conclusions The risk of death is higher in the elderly, male patients with underlying disease. The high levels of CRP, D-D dimer, IL-2R and other cytokines suggest poor prognosis. D-D dimer has a high predictive value for the prognosis of patients. Comprehensive consideration of various indicators is more helpful to judge the outcome of patients and guide treatment.