Clinical profile and outcomes of critically ill covid-19 patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ever since the COVID -19 pandemic took hold in India, its clinical characteristics, course of illness and outcome of critically ill patients requiring ICU care has not been studied in detail, especially in South India which bares almost one third of COVID-19 cases in India. Hence this study is carried out to fill the gaps in identifying the population that are risk of severe illness and in management strategies.AIM: To analyze the clinical profile and outcome of critically ill COVID -19 patients. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital based on medical records of those patients diagnosed with COVID -19 by RTPCR of nasopharyngeal and throat swabs or typical patterns on HRCT chest suggestive of COVID- 19 who required intensive care treatment.RESULTS: Among study population (n=50), males were more commonly affected than females (82% versus 18%).The mean age of study population 55.96 ± 14.52years.Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom. Diabetes Mellitus was the most common comorbidity. The most common complication observed was ARDS(94%). History of smoking, hypertensives and those treated with tocilizumab had significantly higher mortality (p<0.05). Patients treated with antivirals has significantly better outcome. The mean duration of ICU stay was 9.2±3.7 days mortality rate was 38%. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the clinical characteristics, response to treatment and outcome among critically ill COVID -19 patients. Delay in presentation, comorbidities and smoking history had higher chances of severe illness. Early initiation of effective treatment can reduce the mortality rates.