COVID-19 Infection in A Dedicated Regional ICU In Saudi Arabia: Patients` Characteristics and Outcome of Management

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus infection disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral respiratory tract infection that caused a global pandemic. It can be associated with many complications including acute respiratory failure which can lead to intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This study evaluates the characteristic of patients with COVID-19 admitted for ICU care, and determine factors associated with poor outcome of care. Methodology: This is a retrospective review of patients admitted into the ICU of Buraidah Central Hospital on account of COVID-19 complications between March 2020 and October 2021. Records on patients` age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, co-morbidities, ventilatory support type, the occurrence of pneumothorax, duration of ICU stay, and outcome of treatment of disease were extracted and analyzed for descriptive statistics, and the Chi-square test using SPSS version 28. Results: A total of 1035 patients were admitted into the ICU due to COVID-19 infection. The mean age of the patients was 59.95±21.10 years (range = 5-104 years). There were more males (N=695, 67.1%) than females (340, 32.9%). The majority of the patients (545; 52.7%) were elderly, followed by middle-aged adults (360; 34.8%); and were either overweight or obese (N= 849, 82%). More patients (568, 54.9%) were admitted in the year 2020, compared to the year 2021(467; 45.1%). Similarly, mortality rates were higher in the year 2020 (252, 44.4%) than in 2021 (219; 46.9%). There was a significant association between hospital course and patients who had higher BMI, endotracheal intubation, pneumothorax, emphysema, and co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (p < .001). Also, there is a significant association between hospital course and the patient’s age, gender, and month of admission (p < .001). Also, there is a significant association between hospital course and the patient’s age, gender, and month of admission (p<.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 was an indication for ICU admission. Most patients were middle-aged or elderly and were predominantly male. Most admissions occurred during summer, and there has been a steady decline in admission rates and mortality. The male gender, obesity, and other co-morbidities are associated with worse outcomes.