Severe COVID-19 Early Identification and the Need for ICU Care Based on Objective Risk Factors

researchgate.net March 19, 2025

The study found that several factors, including advanced age; male gender; and comorbid conditions like diabetes, chronic lung disease, and CVD had a strong association with ICU admission among COVID-19 patients.

Similarly, clinical features such as tachypnea and diarrhea, and biochemical markers like elevated CK were also associated with increased odds of ICU admission.

These clinical markers can be used for early risk stratification of COVID-19 patients in resource-limited settings, thereby improving healthcare efficiency and as well as clinical outcomes.

This retrospective observational study comprised 500 inpatients (>age 18 years) who were hospitalized between March 20 and April 19, 2020, at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar, Pakistan.

The clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters were assessed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) findings were used to confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19.