Background Africa, like the rest of the world, has been impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, only a few studies covering this subject in Africa have been published. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of critically ill adult COVID-19 patients—all of whom had a confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection— admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia). Results: A total of 96 patients were admitted into our ICU for respiratory distress due to COVID-19 infection. Mean age was 62.4±12.8 years and median age was 64 years. Mean arterial oxygen tension (PaO2)/fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio was 105±60 and ≤300 in all cases but one. Oxygen support was required for all patients (100%) and invasive mechanical ventilation for 38 (40%). Prone positioning was applied in 67 patients (70%). Within the study period, 47 of the 96 patients died (49%). Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with poor outcome were the development of acute renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75–25.9), the use of mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.54–22.0), and serum cholinesterase (SChE) activity lower than 5,000 UI/L (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.34–19). Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU in Sfax, Tunisia, for acute respiratory failure following COVID-19 infection, the mortality rate was high. The development of acute renal failure, the use of mechanical ventilation, and SChE activity lower than 5,000 UI/L were associated with a poor outcome.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Cost Effectiveness of Strategies for Caring for Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Tanzania Hiral Anil Shah, Tim Baker, Carl Otto Schell, August Kuwawenaruwa, Khamis Awadh, Karima Khalid, Angela Kairu, Vincent Were, Edwine Barasa, Peter Baker, Lorna Guinness PharmacoEconomics - Open.2023; 7(4): 537. CrossRef
Mechanical ventilation and outcomes in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit in a low-resources setting: A retrospective study Sarakawabalo Assenouwe, Tabana Essohanam Mouzou, Ernest Ahounou, Lidaw Déassoua Bawe, Awèréou Kotosso, Koffi Atsu Aziagbe, Eyram Makafui Yoan Amekoudi, Mamoudou Omourou, Chimene Etonga Anoudem, Komi Séraphin Adjoh Journal of Acute Disease.2023; 12(5): 186. CrossRef
Prognostic Value of Serum Cholinesterase Activity in Severe SARS-CoV-2–Infected Patients Requiring Intensive Care Unit Admission Mabrouk Bahloul, Sana Kharrat, Saba Makni, Najeh Baccouche, Rania Ammar, Aida Eleuch, Lamia Berrajah, Amel Chtourou, Olfa Turki, Chokri Ben Hamida, Hedi Chelly, Kamilia Chtara, Fatma Ayedi, Mounir Bouaziz The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.2022; 107(3): 534. CrossRef