Improved 60-day survival but impaired general health in Swedish ICU-COVID patients: An ambidirectional population-based study.

Abstract

BackgroundSurvival among critically ill COVID‐19 patients varies between countries and time periods. Mortality rates up to 60% have been reported in intensive care units (ICUs). Standard‐of‐care has evolved throughout the pandemic. The purpose of the study was to explore management and mortality of COVID‐19 ICU‐patients during the first pandemic wave and assess their post‐ICU health status.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory observational ambidirectional population‐based study of ICU‐patients with COVID‐19 in a Swedish county during 1 March‐30 June 2020. Primary outcome was 60‐day mortality with secondary outcomes including treatments, complications, self‐reported general health and dyspnoea post‐discharge. Patients were consecutively divided into equal tertiles with cut‐offs on April 4 and April 20, 2020, to analyse time trends.ResultsOne hundred patients, median age was 63 years, were included, and 60‐day mortality rate was 22%. Ninety‐one percent had moderate/severe ARDS and 88% required mechanical ventilation. In the first tertile of patients 60‐day mortality was 33%, declining to 15% and 18% in the following two. This reduction paralleled increased use of thromboprophylaxis, less steep rise of treated ICU‐patients per day and expanded ICU resources. Four months post‐discharge, 63% of survivors reported self‐assessed decline in general health retrospectively compared to prior COVID‐19.ConclusionsIn this cohort, the initial 60‐day mortality quickly declined, despite continuous admittance of critically ill patients. This was parallel to adaptation to increased workload and more intense thromboembolic prophylaxis. A majority of survivors reported declined general health four months after discharge. Further studies on long‐term health status of ICU‐survivors are indicated.