Factors determining ARDS and mortality in Covid-19 pneumonia

Introduction COVID-19 is caused by a newly discovered corona virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 patients often present with fever, myalgia or fatigue and dry cough. Although most patients' prognosis is thought to be benign, it is known that poor results can be observed in elderly patients and those with chronic underlying diseases. Our aim in this study is to investigate the factors that progress to ARDS and cause mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, based on symptoms, laboratory findings, Computed Tomography (CT) findings, chronic diseases and continuous medications they use. Material Method Demographic characteristics of patients with Covid-19 pneumonia such as age, gender, complaints, vital signs, physical examination findings, smoking and other habits, chronic disease histories, laboratory and imaging examination results, treatment regimen applied in the hospital, hospitalization and intensive care durations were obtained and recorded in the hospital registration system. Clinical outcomes of all patients; Acute Respiratory Disitress (ARDS) has been recorded by classifying it as discharge or exitus. The definition of ARDS was made according to the Berlin criteria updated in 2012. Result and Conclusion In this study, low oxygen saturation at admission, chronic diuretic use, hypocalcemia, thrombocytopenia were found to be significant parameters that increase the risk for both ARDS and mortality in patients with Covid-19 pneumonia. In addition, high D-Dimer was found to be a significant risk factor for the development of ARDS, while advanced age was found to be a significant risk factor for mortality