Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia: Demographic, clinical and survival data.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging virus respiratory infection. It has a high mortality rate and a wide spectrum of clinical features. This study describes the clinical characteristics and outcome of MERS infected patients.



A retrospective study was conducted of all confirmed MERS-CoV infections from March 2014 to May 2014 at two tertiary care hospitals in Al-Madinah region (Saudi Arabia). We gathered data about demographic, clinical presentation, and factors associated with severity and mortality.



A total of 29 cases were identified; 20 males (69%) and nine females (31%), age 45±12years. The death rate was higher for men (52%) than for women (23%). Initial presentation was fever in 22 (75%) cases, cough in 20 (69%) cases, and shortness of breath in 20 (69%) cases. Associated comorbidities were diabetes mellitus in nine (31%) patients and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in eight (27%) patients. Duration of symptoms before hospitalization ranged from 2.9days to 5days. Elevated liver enzymes were present in 14 (50%) patients and impaired renal profile present in eight (27%) patients. We also describe in this study radiological patterns and factors associated with mortality.



MERS-CoV infection transmission continues to occur as clusters in healthcare facilities. The frequency of cases and deaths is higher among men than women and among patients with comorbidities.
King Abdulaziz Medical City - Riyadh, Department of Medicine - Pulmonary Division, King Saud University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: drnahed@yahoo.com.
Nahid
N
Sherbini
King Fahad Hospital, Internal Medicine - Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: monmonsa@hotmail.com.
Ayman
A
Iskandrani
King Fahad Hospital, Internal Medicine - Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: a7yman@hotmail.com.
Ayman
A
Kharaba
King Fahad Hospital, Internal Medicine - Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: Kghalilah@yahoo.com.
Ghalilah
G
Khalid
King Fahad Hospital, Internal Medicine - Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: samamohammedhabeb@yahoo.com.
Mohammed
M
Abduljawad
King Abdulaziz Medical City - Riyadh, Department of Medicine - Pulmonary Division, King Saud University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: jahdalih@gmail.com.
Hamdan
H
Al-Jahdali
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003710:Demography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis
Characteristics; Coronavirus; Epidemiology; MERS; Saudi Arabia; Survival