ORCID
- Martin, Daniel: 0000-0001-6220-8235
Abstract
Background Cohorts of severely ill patients with COVID-19 have been described in several countries around the globe, but to date there have been few published reports from the United Kingdom (UK). Understanding the characteristics of the affected population admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK is crucial to inform clinical decision making, research and planning for future waves of infection. Methods We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of all patients with COVID-19 admitted to a large UK ICU from March to May 2020 with follow-up to June 2020. Data were collected from health records using a standardised template. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyse the factors associated with ICU survival. Results Of the 156 patients included, 112 (72%) were male, 89 (57%) were overweight or obese, 68 (44%) were from ethnic minorities, and 89 (57%) were aged over 60 years of age. 136 (87%) received mechanical ventilation, 77 (57% of those intubated) were placed in the prone position and 95 (70% of those intubated) received neuromuscular blockade. 154 (99%) patients required cardiovascular support and 44 (28%) required renal replacement therapy. Of the 130 patients with completed ICU episodes, 38 (29%) died and 92 (71%) were discharged alive from ICU. In multivariable models, age (OR 1.13 [95% CI 1.07–1.21]), obesity (OR 3.06 [95% CI 1.16–8.74]), lowest P/F ratio on the first day of admission (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.67–0.98]) and PaCO2 (OR 1.52 [95% CI 1.01–2.39]) were independently associated with ICU death. Conclusions Age, obesity and severity of respiratory failure were key determinants of survival in this cohort. Multiorgan failure was prevalent. These findings are important for guiding future research and should be taken into consideration during future healthcare planning in the UK.
DOI
10.1371/jourl.pone.0243710
Publication Date
2020-12-15
Publication Title
PLoS ONE
Volume
15
Issue
12
ISSN
1932-6203
Embargo Period
2020-12-22
Organisational Unit
Peninsula Medical School
First Page
e0243710
Last Page
e0243710
Recommended Citation
Thomson, R. J., Hunter, J., Dutton, J., Schneider, J., Khosravi, M., Casement, A., Dhadwal, K., & Martin, D. (2020) 'Clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit in London: A prospective observational cohort study', PLoS ONE, 15(12), pp. e0243710-e0243710. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/jourl.pone.0243710
