Prediction of Mortality Using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Objective: To determine the accuracy and reliability of the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in predicting the risk of mortality in ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU), The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to June 2022. Methodology: A total of 62 patients with a positive RT-PCR for COVID-19, admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU), were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Written informed consent was obtained after explaining the risks and benefits of the study to the patients / next of kin. SOFA score at the time of admission and 48 hours after admission was calculated. The outcome variable, i.e., mortality, was assessed in association with the SOFA score. Results: The study had a predominantly male population of 54.8% (n = 34). The SOFA score >7 at admission and 48 hours after admission was observed in 46.8% (n = 29) patients. Among 62 COVID-19 patients, the majority were found to have a severe nature of the disease, i.e., 69.4% (n = 43), followed by moderate / mild cases 30.6% (n = 19). Depending on the requirement of the patient, 74.2% (n = 46) were invasively ventilated while 77.4% (n = 48) were on non-invasive ventilation. Overall the mortality rate of the present study was 43.5% (n = 27). The scores both at the time of admission and 48 hours after admission for the survivors had a significant difference (p = 0.001) with the non-survivors. Conclusion: The SOFA score on admission and 48 hours after had a significant positive association with the severity of COVID-19 infection and its risk of mortality.