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Observational Study
. 2021 Aug;33(4):273-281.

Mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the first phase of the pandemic: Derivation of a risk model for emergency departments

[Article in English, Spanish]
Affiliations
  • PMID: 34251140
Free article
Observational Study

Mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the first phase of the pandemic: Derivation of a risk model for emergency departments

[Article in English, Spanish]
Ana García-Martínez et al. Emergencias. 2021 Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a risk model to predict 30-day mortality after emergency department treatment for COVID-19.

Material and methods: Observational retrospective cohort study including 2511 patients with COVID-19 who came to our emergency department between March 1 and April 30, 2020. We analyzed variables with Kaplan Meier survival and Cox regression analyses.

Results: All-cause mortality was 8% at 30 days. Independent variables associated with higher risk of mortality were age over 50 years, a Barthel index score less than 90, altered mental status, the ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to the fraction of inspired oxygen (SaO2/FIO2), abnormal lung sounds, platelet concentration less than 100 000/mm3, a C-reactive protein concentration of 5 mg/dL or higher, and a glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min. Each independent predictor was assigned 1 point in the score except age, which was assigned 2 points. Risk was distributed in 3 levels: low risk (score of 4 points or less), intermediate risk (5 to 6 points), and high risk (7 points or above). Thirty-day risk of mortality was 1.7% for patients who scored in the low-risk category, 28.2% for patients with an intermediate risk score, and 67.3% for those with a high risk score.

Conclusion: This mortality risk stratification tool for patients with COVID-19 could be useful for managing the course of disease and assigning health care resources in the emergency department.

Objetivo: Derivar un modelo de riesgo para estimar la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días de la visita a urgencias de pacientes con COVID-19.

Metodo: Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo de 2.511 pacientes con COVID-19 atendidos en el servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) del 1 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. Se realizó análisis de supervivencia mediante Kaplan Meier y regresión de Cox.

Resultados: La mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días fue de un 8%. Los factores asociados de forma independiente a mayor mortalidad fueron: edad 50 años, índice de Barthel 90 puntos, alteración del nivel de consciencia, índice de SaO2/FIO2 400, auscultación respiratoria anómala, cifra de plaquetas 100.000/mm3, PCR 5 mg/dL y filtrado glomerular 45 mL/min. A estos factores se les asignó una puntuación de 1, excepto a la edad, que se le asignó un valor de 2 puntos. Se dividió el modelo de riesgo en 3 categorías: riesgo bajo (menor o igual a 4 puntos), riesgo intermedio (5-6 puntos) y riesgo alto (igual o superior a 7 puntos). Para los pacientes clasificados como de bajo riesgo la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 1,7%, en los casos de riesgo intermedio fue del 28,2% y para los de alto riesgo fue del 67,3%.

Conclusiones: Disponer de una herramienta para estratificar el riesgo de mortalidad de los pacientes con COVID-19 que consultan a un SUH podría ser de utilidad para la gestión de los recursos sanitarios disponibles.

Keywords: COVID-19; Emergency department; Indicador de mortalidad; Infección SARS-CoV-2; Mortality; Risk factors; SARS-CoV-2 infection; Urgencias.

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