The factors that most increase the risk of death from COVID in the ICU

The coronavirus continues to claim lives on a daily basis. Most of the deceased have been elderly people or patients with previous pathologies; although young people and healthy people without any kind of illness or disease have also died.

Now, a recent study by the CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (Ciberes) has exposed the previous conditions of those infected that increase the chances of death:

1. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation upon admission
2. The age of the patient (probably the one that tips the scales the most)
3. Have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
4. being diabetic
5. have chronic kidney disease

The researchers have also found that the in-hospital mortality of patients admitted to Spanish Intensive Care Units (ICUs) during the pandemic was 31%. The authors affirm that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has not been taken into account in this study, but they hope that in the coming months there will be enough data to carry out a similar examination.

The Cyber-ICU-Covid study is a project launched thanks to the COVID-19 Fund throughout 2020 and managed by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), with a total funding of 1,750,000 euros .

Previous research conducted by international teams of experts evaluated the risk factors of ICU admissions related to COVID-19, in general. Two studies provided a detailed overview of comorbidities and demographic factors, and another two papers presented mainly demographic factors.

COVID Study Reviews

Overall, age was found to be the strongest predictor of severe COVID-19, with risk rising until the late 60s or 70s, then falling again. This pattern of admission may reflect different treatment approaches than the severity of the disease. In addition, male gender, diabetes, asthma, chronic kidney disease, tuberculosis and Down syndrome were associated with increased risk of ICU admission related to severe COVID-19, according to the review published by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

All studies concluded that increasing vaccination coverage is a critical public health priority.

Reference: CIBER