Relation of Days on Ventilatory Support to Total Days of Illness in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relation between days on ventilatory support and overall mortality to total days of pre- ventilator illness in COVID-19 patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Aug 2020.

Methodology: A total of 140 admitted patients within the prescribed time frame were observed in the established COVIDIntensive Care Units of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. The criteria for inclusion in the study were patients of any age and gender on ventilatory support with a confirmatory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 both by RT-PCR, and radiological evidence on HRCT Chest.

Results: The mean age of patients was 59.39 ± 13.517 years. Patients who presented with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and more than ten days of illness with respiratory compromise had a higher occurrence to be placed on mechanical ventilation. There was a strong linear and positive correlation between the total days of illness on presentation and the total days on ventilatory support (p-value <0.01). This linear relationship consequently translated into overall mortality of 78.6% with a 21.4% survival rate.

Conclusion: To conclude, the total days of illness in critical COVID-19 patients had a linear relationship to days on ventilatory support and overall mortality.