Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: The Kuwait Experience

Med Princ Pract. 2022;31(2):180-186. doi: 10.1159/000522166. Epub 2022 Jan 26.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the baseline characteristics and to evaluate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to hospitals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kuwait.

Subjects and methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data of patients admitted to two hospitals in Kuwait with COVID-19. The outcome was assessed by using multivariable analysis of factors affecting survival and mortality.

Results: In 962 patients, the case fatality ratio was 9.04%. The mean age of nonsurvivors was 63.5 ± 14.8 years, and most deaths occurred in males (80.5%). For the whole sample, the source of transmission was significantly related to mortality and the median duration of in-hospital stay was 15 days (interquartile range: 2-52 days). In patients with high oxygen requirements, the case fatality rate was 96.6%. Multivariable analysis identified age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and dyspnea on presentation as independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.

Conclusions: The mortality rate was higher in older patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and CVD. Early recognition of high-risk patients may help to improve care and reduce mortality.

Keywords: COVID-19; Mortality; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; Survival.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases*
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Kuwait / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2