Clinical features and prognostic factors of adults with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units in Colombia: A multicentre retrospective study during the first wave of the pandemic

BACKGROUND: A significant number of COVID-19 patients require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, ICU mortality in COVID-19 patients varies considerably between studies. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical features and outcomes of adults with COVID-19 admitted to ICU in Colombia during the first wave of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was carried out in 8 ICUs. Adult patients admitted to the ICU with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to July of 2020 were included. RESULTS: During the study period, 229 adults with COVID-19 were admitted to ICU. Most patients (54.5%) were older than 65 years. Comorbid conditions were documented in 146 (64%) patients, mainly arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The median value of the SOFA score on ICU admission was 5 (interquartile range, 2–12). Regarding complications, 118 (51.5%) underwent mechanical ventilation, 51 (22.4%) required renal replacement therapy, and 85 (35%), vasopressor use. Mortality was 38.4% (88 out of 219 patients). Mortality increased with age (20% in those younger than 40 years and 54.1% in those older than 65 years; p < .001). In the multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with mortality were age ≥ 65 years (OR, 11.9; 95% CI, 3.20–44.23), SOFA score (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05–1.39), vasopressor use (OR, 12.8; 95% CI, 3.45–48.17), and renal replacement therapy (OR, 9.0; 95% CI 2.37–34.42). CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill patients with COVID-19 had high mortality mainly related to advanced age, the severity of the disease on admission to the ICU, the use of vasopressors and renal replacement therapy.