Assessment of clinical characteristics and mortality-associated factors in COVID-19 Critical cases in Kuwait

Purpose To assess the clinical characteristics and identify mortality predicting factors in intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted COVID-19 confirmed patients. Methods We recruited and analyzed COVID-19 infected adult patients (age≥ 18 years) who were admitted to the ICU at Jaber AlAhmad Al Sabah Hospital,Kuwait, between 1 st March, 2020and 30 th April 2020. The patients were followed up to 20 th May, 2020. The risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality were assessed using multiple regression analysis. Results We recruited a total of 103 ICU patients in this retrospective cohort. The median age of the patients was 53 years (Interquartile Range (IQR): 44-63 years). The fatality rate was 43.7%. Among the patients, majority were males (85.5%) and 38% patients had more than two comorbidities. Pre-existing hypertension (OR:3.2,95%CI: 1.2-8.9), moderate/severe ARDS (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.1-10.8),lymphocyte counts <0.5 (OR: 6.1, 95%CI: 1.2-29.8)albumin 0.2 (OR: 3.8, 95%CI: 1.3-7.8), D-Dimer >1200 (OR: 5.1, 95%CI: 1.2-21.6), and the need forcontinuous renal replacement therapy (OR: 9.3, 95%CI: 2.4-36.2) weresignificantly associated with mortality. Conclusion This study describes the clinical characteristics and predictors ofmortality among ICU patients. Early identification of risk factors to mortality might help in their better outcome.