Mortality prediction in Mexican older COVID-19 patients using the Charlson comorbidity index: a case- control study from a reconverted COVID-19 hospital

Abstract

Objectives: We aim to describe the predisposing factors for COVID-19 pneumonia and in-hospital death as an outcome of COVID-19 in a Mexican aged cohort of northeast Mexico. The use of CCI to predict mortality in this population will also be investigated. Study design: A case-control study was performed in a total of 356 records from patients of 60 years old and above. Records were collected from November 2019 to August 2022 from a reconverted COVID-19 hospital located in Nuevo León, Mexico, from which 332 records were included in the study. Main outcome measures: Stepwise multivariate logistical regression models were used to determine COVID-19 pneumonia or outcome odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: Age, dyspnea, sO₂/FiO_2, and body mass index (BMI) were associated with COVID-19 pneumonia whereas respiratory frequency, BMI, sO₂/FiO₂ (Saturation of oxygen/Fraction of inspired oxygen ratio) and CCI were associated with death due to COVID-19. An increased hazard ratio of mortality of 2.1 (p < 0.001) was observed in patients with a CCI below 3. Conclusions: CCI revealed to be not appropriate to predict mortality in geriatric Mexican population, a deeper analysis is required when using CCI in such population.