Risk factors associated with mortality in severely ill COVID-19 patients: cohort study

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who require intensive care unit (ICU) demand multidisciplinary care, which is decisive for their intervention and prognosis. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients in Bogota, Colombia. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study (from March 2020 to February 2021) which included critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Electronic medical records were reviewed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. A logistic regression model was performed. Mortality was considered as the dependent variable, and the clinical and demographic variables as explanatory factors. Results: We included 562 patients with an overall mortality of 42%, associated comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (51%), grade 2 obesity (75%), and age over 65 years (51%). The logistic regression model showed that patients over 65 years of age [odds ratio (OR): 3.23 (2.28 - 4.59)]; diabetes mellitus [OR: 1.68 (1.16 - 2.44)], and grade 2 obesity [OR: 3.5 (1.31 - 9.77)] were risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 patients at the ICU. Conclusion: This study reported that age over 65 years, diabetes mellitus, and grade 2 obesity were risk factors for death in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Mortality
• Comorbidity
• Nutrition
• Obesity