COVID-19 pneumonia in Galicia (Spain): Impact of prognostic factors and therapies on mortality and need for mechanical ventilation

Introduction: This study was aimed to identify risk factors associated with unfavorable outcomes (composite outcome variable: mortality and need for mechanical ventilation) in patients hospitalized in Galicia with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study carried out in the 8 Galician tertiary hospitals. All Patients admitted with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from 1st of March to April 24th, 2020 were included. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify the relationship between risk factors, therapeutic interventions and the composite outcome variable. Results: A total of 1292 patients (56.1% male) were included. Two hundred and twenty-five (17.4%) died and 327 (25.3%) reached the main outcome variable. Age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.04)], CRP quartiles 3 and 4 [OR = 2.24 (95% CI: 1.39–3.63)] and [OR = 3.04 (95% CI: 1.88–4.92)], respectively, Charlson index [OR = 1.16 (95%CI: 1.06–1.26)], SaO2 upon admission [OR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91–0.95)], hydroxychloroquine prescription [OR = 0.22 (95%CI: 0.12–0.37)], systemic corticosteroids prescription [OR = 1.99 (95%CI: 1.45–2.75)], and tocilizumab prescription [OR = 3.39 (95%CI: 2.15–5.36)], significantly impacted the outcome. Sensitivity analysis using different alternative logistic regression models identified consistently the ratio admissions/hospital beds as a predictor of the outcome [OR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02–1.11)]. Conclusion: These findings may help to identify patients at hospital admission with a higher risk of death and may urge healthcare authorities to implement policies aimed at reducing deaths by increasing the availability of hospital beds.