Risk factors and survival in patients with COVID-19 in northeastern Brazil

BACKGROUND Countries have focused research on developing strategies to fight COVID-19, prevent hospitalizations, and maintain economic activities. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to establish a survival analysis and identify risk factors for patients with COVID-19 in a upper middle-income city in Brazil. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study with 280 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The eCOVID platform provided data used to monitor COVID-19 cases and help communication between professionals. RESULTS Survival analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years was associated with decreased survival (54.8%). Females had lower survival rate than males (p=0.01). Regarding risk factors, urea concentration (p<0.001), hospital LOS (p=0.002), oxygen concentration (p=0.005), and age (p=0.02) were associated with death. CONCLUSION Age, hospital LOS, high blood urea concentration, and low oxygen concentration were associated with death by COVID-19 in the studied population. These findings corroborate with studies conducted in research centers worldwide. Key Findings Some parameters assessed during hospital admission may identify patients with COVID-19 with high risk of progressing to severe conditions and early identification of risk factors and continuous monitoring of laboratory tests may prevent progression to severe disease. Key Implications Knowledge regarding main signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and associated risk factors helps the population manage and monitor the disease at home and identify early signs of severity. Also, more information about COVID-19, such as prevalence, specific characteristics in certain regions, and treatments, must become public to encourage the population to participate in the control and contingency of the pandemic.