Evaluation of Epidemiologic, Clinical and Laboratory Findings of COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Units, Alzahra Hospital

Considering the high burden of the COVID-19 disease and the pressure that was put on the health care system, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU), the examination of variables predicting the outcome of this disease can help in better understanding of patients at risk and more useful allocation of limited resources.

Patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU of Al-Zahra Medical Center were investigated in an observational (descriptive-analytical) study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings were compared to find factors affecting mortality between two groups of deceased and survived patients. A comparison of demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings was conducted to identify factors influencing mortality rates in deceased and survived patients.

1144 patients with COVID-19 were examined in the study, of which 674 were men (58.9%) and 470 were women (41.1%). The patients were split into two groups: 432 patients (37.8%) died, and 712 patients (62.2%) survived. The variables of white blood cells (P < 0.001), neutrophil (P < 0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.004), blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.001), creatinine (P = 0.037), procalcitonin (P < 0.001), D-dimer (P < 0.001), length of hospitalization (P < 0.001) and oxygen therapy (P < 0.001) were directly related with mortality and the highest odd ratio was related to neutrophil count (OR = 3.59). Variables of lymphocyte (P = 0.028), eosinophil (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001), platelet (P = 0.007), sodium (P < 0.001), potassium (P < 0.001), magnesium (P < 0.001), prothrombin time (P < 0.001), respiratory rate group (P < 0.022) and respiratory symptom (P < 0.032) were inversely related to mortality and the lowest odd ratio was related to magnesium (OR = 0.01).

Examining clinical and laboratory characteristics helps us in better evaluation of patients, recognition of risk factors involved in the progression of the disease, and better management of patients.