Objectives: This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients admitted "for" and "with" COVID-19 and to compare their characteristics. Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the cluster-wide COVID-19 registry from January 2020 to December 2022.Characteristics of admissions 'for' and 'with' COVID-19 were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test or the Chi-square test, as appropriate.Results: Of 28,538 COVID-19-related admissions, 9,539 (33.4%) were classified as 'for' COVID-19 and 18,999 (66.6%) as 'with' COVID-19.Compared to patients admitted 'with' COVID-19, those admitted 'for' COVID-19 were significantly older (median (IQR): 71 (54 -82) vs. 34 (4 -60) years, p < 2.210), tended to be male (59.0% vs. 51.7%,p < 2.210) and had more comorbidities (proportion with 3 comorbidities: 41.7% vs. 15.1%,p < 2.210).Admissions 'for' COVID-19 were also associated with poorer outcomes compared to admissions 'with COVID-19, with higher Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission (5.1% vs. 0.9%, p < 2.210) and mortality rates (6.1% vs. 0.7%, p < 2.210). Conclusion:Our findings also highlighted the demographic and clinical differences between the two groups, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between admission types when evaluating disease burden and allocating healthcare resources.
Xu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.