Predictors of mortality among inpatients with COVID-19 infection in a tertiary referral center in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of mortality and describe laboratory trends among adults with confirmed COVID-19. METHODS: The medical records of adult patients admitted to a referral hospital with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters, were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Predictors of mortality were determined by multivariate analysis. Mean laboratory values were plotted across illness duration. RESULTS: Of 1215 patients, 203 (16.7%) had mild, 488 (40.2%) moderate, 183 (15.1%) severe, and 341 (28.1%) critical COVID-19 on admission. In-hospital mortality was 18.2% (0% mild, 6.1% moderate, 15.8% severe, 47.5% critical). Predictors of mortality were age ≥ 60 years, COPD, qSOFA score ≥ 2, WBC > 10 × 10(9)/L, absolute lymphocyte count < 1000, neutrophil ≥ 70%, PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio ≤ 200, eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2), LDH > 600 U/L, and CRP > 12 mg/L. Non-survivors exhibited an increase in LDH and decreases in PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio and eGFR during the 2nd–3rd week of illness. CONCLUSION: The overall mortality rate was high. Predictors of mortality were similar to those of other reports globally. Marked inflammation and worsening pulmonary and renal function were evident among non-survivors by the 2nd–3rd week of illness.