Mallampati score has been identified and accepted worldwide as an independent predictor of difficult intubation and obstructive sleep apnea. We aimed to determine whether Mallampati score assessed on the first patient medical assessment allowed us to stratify the risk of worsening of conditions in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. A total of 493 consecutive patients admitted between 13 November 2021 and 2 January 2022 to the temporary hospital in Pyrzowice were included in the analysis. The clinical data, chest CT scan, and major, clinically relevant laboratory parameters were assessed by patient-treating physicians, whereas the Mallampati score was assessed on admission by investigators blinded to further treatment. The primary endpoints were necessity of active oxygen therapy (AOT) during hospitalization and 60-day all-cause mortality. Of 493 patients included in the analysis, 69 (14.0%) were in Mallampati I, 57 (11.6%) were in Mallampati II, 78 (15.8%) were in Mallampati III, and 288 (58.9%) were in Mallampati IV. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between the groups, except the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (p = 0.046). Patients with Mallampati IV were at the highest risk of AOT during the hospitalization (33.0%) and the highest risk of death due to any cause at 60 days (35.0%), which significantly differed from other scores (p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). Mallampati IV was identified as an independent predictor of need for AOT (OR 3.089, 95% confidence interval 1.65−5.77, p < 0.001) but not of all-cause mortality at 60 days. In conclusion, Mallampati IV was identified as an independent predictor of AOT during hospitalization. Mallampati score can serve as a prehospital tool allowing to identify patients at higher need for AOT.
Keywords: COVID-19; Mallampati score; high-flow nasal cannula; mortality; non-invasive mechanical ventilation; respiratory failure.