Higher hospital mortality for critically ill with COVID-19 than for influenza

(HealthDay) —The risk of hospital mortality is higher for critically ill patients with COVID-19 than influenza, according to a study published online November 13 in Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Natalie L. Cobb, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues looked at mortality risk by comparing critically ill patients with COVID-19 and those with seasonal flu in a retrospective study.

A total of 65 critically ill patients with COVID-19 and 74 with influenza were included. The researchers found that COVID-19 patients were more likely to be male, have a higher body mass index, and have high rates of chronic kidney disease and diabetes. 37% and 10% of COVID-19 and influenza patients, respectively, were identified as Hispanic. The percentage of patients with fever and lymphopenia at hospital presentation was similar between groups (approximately 40 and approximately 80%, respectively). The groups also had similar rates of acute kidney injury and shock that required vasopressors. Patients with COVID-19 had slower improvements in oxygenation, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower extubation rates than those with influenza, although the need for invasive mechanical ventilation was similar between groups. Hospital mortality was 40 and 19% in patients with COVID-19 and influenza, respectively (adjusted relative risk, 2.13).

“Our findings underscore the importance of efforts to limit transmission as well as ongoing investigations for effective therapies and vaccines,” Cobb said in a statement.

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