Assessment of Clinical Characteristics and Mortality-Associated Factors in COVID-19 Critical Cases in Kuwait

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and identify mortality risk factors in intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted COVID-19 patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We recruited and analyzed SARS-CoV-2-infected adult patients (age ≥18 years) who were admitted to the ICU at Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait, between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020. The risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality were assessed using multiple regression analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We recruited a total of 103 ICU patients in this retrospective cohort. The median age of the patients was 53 years and the fatality rate was 45.6%; majority (85.5%) were males and 37% patients had more than 2 comorbidities. Preexisting hypertension, moderate/severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, lymphocyte count &#x3c;0.5 × 10⁹, serum albumin &#x3c;22 g/L, procalcitonin &#x3e;0.2 ng/mL, D-dimer &#x3e;1,200 ng/mL, and the need for continuous renal replacement therapy were significantly associated with mortality. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study describes the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality among ICU patients with CO­VID-19. Early identification of risk factors for mortality might help improve outcomes.