Functional, Clinical, and Sociodemographic Variables Associated with Risk of In-Hospital Mortality by COVID-19 in People over 80 Years Old.

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objective is to assess the role of functional, clinical, and analytic parameters in predicting mortality in older patients hospitalized due to COVID-19.DesignCohort study with a mean follow-up of 12.8 days.SettingPublic university hospital (Madrid, Spain).Participants499 patients 80 and above consecutively admitted to a Spanish public university hospital between 4 March 2020 and 16 May 2020.MeasurementsMortality was the main outcome. Data of sociodemographic variables (age, sex, living), comorbidities, polypharmacy, functional status, date of hospital admission and length of stay was recorded. Clinical symptoms, laboratory and X-ray findings were collected at time of admission. For multivariant analysis, logistic regressions were performed to identify risk factors for death. RESULTS: Mean age was 86.7±4.4 with 37% of death. Mortality was associated with male gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.24], with a 5-points increase on Barthel Index [OR 1.01 (95%CI 1.00–1.02)], higher Charlson Index score [OR 1.13 (95%CI 1.02–1.26)] and comorbidities [OR 1.28 (95%CI 1.06–1.53)], hyperpolipharmacy [OR 2.00 (95%CI 1.04–3.82)], unilateral pneumonia [OR 1.83 (95%CI 1.01–3.30)], higher levels of C-reactive protein [OR 1.09 (95%CI 1.06–1.12)] and creatine [OR 1.48 (95%CI 1.15–1.89)]. Higher oxygen levels were a protective factor [OR 0.92 (95%CI 0.89–0.95)].ConclusionsFunctional status, being male, a higher burden of comorbidities, hyperpolipharmacy, unilateral pneumonia and some laboratory parameters predict in-hospital mortality in this older population. The knowledge of these mortality risk factors should be used to improve the survival of older hospitalized patients.