Risk factors of intensive care admission and mortality in a cohort of 111 Egyptian COVID-19 patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background It is important to understand and identify the different clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in order to better understand the disease process and determine the various factors associated with poor prognosis and mortality. Methods Data from 111 COVID-19 patients were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory test results of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were compared with those admitted to the ward. Additionally, data obtained from patients who were discharged after treatment were compared with those who died at the hospital. Results Patients admitted to the ICU were older and presented with significantly higher levels of ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IL-6, c-reactive protein, and procalcitonin than those admitted to the ward. IL-6 level was an independent predictor of ICU admission. Likewise, the non-survivors were significantly older and had higher levels of LDH, d-dimer, IL-6, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and procalcitonin, and a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease than those who were discharged from the hospital; increased age and high BUN levels were the independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion This study identified high IL-6 level as a predictor of ICU admission and older age and high BUN levels as predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19.