Background: Coagulation disorders are frequently encountered among patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially among admitted patients with more severe symptoms. This study aims to determine the mortality rate and incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted from March to July 2020 using a hospital database. All adult patients (>18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included. Laboratory data and the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 were obtained from medical records. The mortality rate and the incidence of VTE were established as study results. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of thrombotic events.
Results: rA total of 1024 confirmed COVID-19 patients were treated, of whom 110 (10.7%) were deceased and 58 patients (5.7%) developed VTE. Death occurred more frequently in patients older than 50 years and those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU, 95%) and who received mechanical ventilation (62.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed that cancer patients were two times more likely to have VTE (adjusted odds ratio = 2.614; 95% CI = (1.048-6.519); p = 0.039). Other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, were not associated with an increased risk of VTE.
Conclusions: One-tenth of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were deceased, and VTE was prevalent among patients with chronic conditions, such as cancer, despite anticoagulation therapy. Healthcare professionals should closely monitor individuals with a high risk of developing VTE to prevent unwanted complications.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coagulation disorders; venous thromboembolism.