Clinical parameters related to morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 on hospital admission in a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Objective: to identify the relationship between morbimortality, nutritional status and biochemical markers at hospital admission and stay in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: retrospective stud whose data were collected from the medical records of patients admitted with a diagnosis of COVID-19, confirmed by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing, who were hospitalized between April and November 2020 at a tertiary hospital in the state of Pernambuco, in Northeast Brazil. Results: 217 medical records were included, of which 71.9% were from older adults. 70% of patients had peripheral oxygen saturation below 95% at admission, and 47.5% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Being an older adult (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.0; 3.5, p=0.035), having diabetes (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.2; 3.8, p=0.007) and combined diabetes and hypertension (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.1; 3.5, p=0.023) were associated with intensive care unit stay, as well as lymphopenia and renal function impairment in the first day of hospital stay. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.2% and 20.7%. There was a difference in body mass index between adults and older adults (30.6±6.3 kg/m2 vs. 27.5±4.8 kg/m2, p<0.001). There was 43.8% mortality, which was associated with advanced age, lower peripheral oxygen saturation, body mass index, and albumin values, and increased of urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin T, and dimer values. Conclusion: older adults were at a higher risk of intensive care unit stay and mortality and had lower body mass index. Patients with lower peripheral oxygen saturation values at admission died. Renal dysfunction, coagulation disorders, and increased inflammatory markers led to a greater risk of intensive care unit stay and mortality.