The Relationship of Comorbidities with Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality in Patients with COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: Comorbid conditions are known to be associated with poor prognosis in coronavirus disease 2019. This study aimed to investigate the effects of comorbidity burdens of inpatients, identified by the Charlson Comorbidity Index, on their mortalities. METHODS: A total of 150 patients who presented to the emergency department of our hospital with various complaints and symptoms were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 as a result of the testing and received inpatient treatment (87 males, mean age 61.6 ± 13.8 years) were included in the study. Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were calculated. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on the state of exitus: group 1, those who did not survive; 33 patients, 19 males; 68.3 ± 11.8 years and group 2, those who survived; 117 patients, 68 males; 59.7 ± 13.8 years. RESULTS: In all patients, the exitus rate was 22%, the rate of intensive care follow-up was 46%, and the intubation rate was 37.3%. The Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the Charlson Comorbidity Index score was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 1.990, 95% CI: 1.314-3.015, P = .001). The cut-off value for the Charlson Comorbidity Index to predict in-hospital mortality was 5.5, with 81.8% sensitivity and 73.5% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The Charlson Comorbidity Index score, which can be obtained at the time of admission, could be associated with the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Those with a Charlson Comorbidity Index score greater than 5.5 could be more associated with negative outcomes and mortality.