Three key factors are tied to mortality in adults with coronavirus, a study of hospitalized patients has found. The findings could help clinicians better identify high-risk individuals, say investigators.
The researchers followed 191 cases in Wuhan, China, facilities. Two-thirds had severe or critical illness, and 54 died in the hospital. Compared to survivors, patients who died were more likely to be older (average age 69 vs. 52), and to have confirmed signs of sepsis and blood clotting problems on admission. Other factors came into play as well, including the presence of underlying disease (such as high blood pressure and diabetes), and prolonged use of non-invasive ventilation, said co-author Zhibo Liu, from Jinyintan Hospital, China.
The presence of sepsis was measured using a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and blood coagulation was evaluated with a D-dimer test.
In general, age-related weakening of the immune system may be a culprit in these poor coronavirus outcomes, Liu added. Weak immunity may encourage the virus to grow, causing prolonged inflammation and lasting damage to the heart, brain, and other organs, he said.
While the findings may be limited by the study’s sample size, the investigation is the first to examine risk factors associated with severe disease and death in adults who have either died or been discharged from a hospital, according to co-lead author Bin Cao, a professor from Capital Medical University, China.
The study was published in The Lancet.
