Abstract

Background & Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has rapidly become a pandemic.rn We conducted this study to appraise the current data on the disease by meta-analysis and meta-regression methods. rnMethods: We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases for the first hundred days of COVID19 from inception to March 25 2020 to include studies reporting clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The pooled rate of occurrence of various clinical symptoms, clinical work-up, complications, and death were calculated. Random effects model was used and heterogeneity was assessed by I2% values and 95% prediction interval. rnResults: A total of 27 studies including 4077 patients were included in our final analysis. Based on our analysis, the pooled rates of fever, cough and myalgia/fatigue were 82.6% (CI 74.5-88.5), 63% (CI 57.4-68.2) and 29.5% (CI 22.3-37.9). Lymphopenia was noted in 57.5% (CI 44.5-69.5) and elevated CRP in 66.4% (CI 55.4-75.8). Ground glass opacities were seen in 62.8% (CI 52.3-72.2) and bilateral pneumonia in 75.8% (CI 66.6-83). Based on meta-regression analysis, supplemental oxygen use, and increased antiviral use with minimal steroids seem to reduce rate of death. rnConclusion: Fever, cough and fatigue are the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Lymphopenia and elevated CRP are the most common laboratory findings. Diffuse ground glass opacities and bilateral pneumonia are the most common radiological findings. Supplemental oxygen therapy and antivirals with cautious use of steroids seem to reduce the rate of death.