Presenting Characteristics and ICU Admission Among Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19

Objective: Information on characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Turkey is limited. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and compare patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission with those who did not require it. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Istanbul. A total of 215 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 between 9 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data on admission and outcomes were analysed. The main outcomes were COVID-19 ward or ICU hospitalisation, invasive mechanical ventilation requirement, discharge, or death. Presenting characteristics were compared between patients who required ICU admission with those who did not require it.Results: Among 215 patients, 64% were male, and the median age was 53. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The prevalence of comorbidities and the median age was higher in patients in ICU. The most common presenting symptom was fever (%72). C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil and lymphocyte count, ferritin, and d-dimer levels were significantly different between ICU and non-ICU patients. However, in the final logistic model, among presenting symptoms, initial radiographs and laboratory tests, having dyspnea, high CRP and LDH were significantly associated with ICU admission.Conclusion: Of 215 hospitalised patients with COVID-19, 17% of patients required ICU admission, and the mortality rate was 4.4%. Older age, having coronary artery disease, high levels of CRP, LDH, and presenting with dyspnea were significantly associated with ICU admission.