CLINICAL OUTCOMES, USE OF INVASIVE MECHANICAL VENTILATION AND RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY OF ADULT AND ELDERLY PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical and epidemiological outcomes of 1,266 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a private hospital in northeastern Brazil to identify differences according to age group. Methods: This observational, descriptive, and retrospective cohort study was carried out with patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a private hospital in northeastern Brazil from May 2020 to March 2021. Outcomes such as length of stay, hospital stay, discharge, death, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and renal replacement therapy were analyzed according to age group (731 adults and 535 older people ≥65 years old). Results: Elderly patients had a median age of 76 (70 – 83) years (p=0.000). The median length of stay was 12 (7 – 19) (p=0.000). Most outcomes, such as ICU admission (58.2%) (p=0.000), use of renal replacement therapy (81.6%) (p=0.000), use of mechanical ventilation (73.2%) (p =0.000) and death (86%) (p=0.000), occurred in the elderly. The variables age greater than or equal to 65 years (p=0.000), use of IMV (p=0.000), and ICU admission (p=0.000) were associated with mortality. Conclusion: Older people are at greater risk of hospitalization, remaining in the hospital for a more extended period, and progressing to the need for ICU admission, renal replacement therapy, and mechanical ventilation. Knowledge of the epidemiological profile of the population hospitalized for COVID-19 is an essential source of information for planning and monitoring health activities.