Outcomes of Critically Ill COVID-19 Positive Cases Admitted at ICU in a COVID-19 Referral Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Author(s): Mohammad Anarul Islam, Sanjana Asma, Muhammad Salah Uddin, SM Sadlee, Mohammad Shukur Ali, Mohammad Zaforullah Chowdhury

Introduction: The initial case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified in December 2019. The disease swiftly spread, infecting millions globally and significantly challenging healthcare systems. As per the World Health Organization, approximately 5% of COVID-19 patients who are severely or critically ill require intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of sick critically COVID-19-positive patients admitted to the ICU at a COVID-19 referral hospital.

Method: A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Virology and the COVID unit at Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from December 2023 to May 2024.

Results: Among the 100 critically ill COVID-19-positive patients, the most common age group was 54-68 years, with a mean age of 59.83±13.07 years and a median age of 58. The majority of the patients were male (70%). The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes (60%) and hypertension (44%). The predominant clinical presentations included shortness of breath (75%) and fever (66%). The mean levels of CRP, D-dimer, WBC, and ferritin were 112.70±76.85 mg/L, 3.16±0.09 ng/L, 21382±14880.12 cells/uL, and 1402.46±921.46 ng/L, respectively. The study observed a low mortality rate (7%) and a high survival rate (93%) among critically ill COVID-19-positive patients in the ICU. The majority of deaths (6%) occurred in the age group over 69 years, with males being predominant (5%).

Conclusion: This study found a low mortality rate (7%) and a high survival rate (93%) among critically ill COVID-19-positive patients in the ICU. Hence, the national guidelines of Bangladesh and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the clinical management of critically ill COVID-19 patients were effective standards for managing such cases in Bangladesh.