Clinical Course and Factors Associated with Hospitalization and Critical Illness Among COVID‐19 Patients in Chicago, Illinois

Gottlieb, Michael; Sansom, Sarah; Frankenberger, Casey; Ward, Edward; Hota, Bala

BACKGROUND: SARS‐CoV‐2 is a global pandemic associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, information from United States cohorts is limited. Understanding predictors of admission and critical illness in these patients is essential to guide prevention and risk stratification strategies. METHODS: This was a retrospective, registry‐based cohort study including all patients presenting to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois with COVID‐19 from March 4(th), 2020 to June 21(st), 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were obtained from the registry and compared between hospitalized and non‐hospitalized patients, as well as those with critical illness. We used logistic regression modeling to explore risk factors associated with hospitalization and critical illness. RESULTS: 8,673 COVID‐19 patients were included in the study, of whom 1,483 (17.1%) were admitted to the hospital and 528 (6.1%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Risk factors for hospital admission included advanced age, male sex (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.44‐1.98), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.18‐1.92), hypertension (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.46‐2.16), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.53‐2.22), prior CVA (OR 3.20; 95% CI 1.99‐5.14), coronary artery disease (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03‐2.06), heart failure (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.23‐2.61), chronic kidney disease (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.77‐3.83), end‐stage renal disease (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.12‐4.41), cirrhosis (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.42‐2.91), fever (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.19‐1.71), and dyspnea (OR 4.53; 95% CI 3.75‐5.47). Factors associated with critical illness included male sex (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.12‐1.88), congestive heart failure (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.00‐2.12), obstructive sleep apnea (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.07‐2.33), bloodborne cancer (OR 3.53; 95% CI 1.26‐9.86), leukocytosis (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.15‐2.17), elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.20‐2.17), hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.39‐2.32), elevated AST (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.20‐2.29), elevated lactate (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.40‐2.73), elevated D‐Dimer (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.05‐1.97), and elevated troponin (OR 3.65; 95% CI 2.03‐6.57). CONCLUSION: There are a number of factors associated with hospitalization and critical illness. Clinicians should consider these factors when evaluating patients with COVID‐19.