Evaluation of Short-Term Mortality Prediction Using Initial Lactate and NEWS+L at Admission in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To predict the short-term mortality of the serum lactate level and the National Early Warning Score + lactate (NEWS+L) at the time of first admission to the emergency department in COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: This retrospective analysis was performed by screening the data of COVID-19 patients over a 6-month period (from January 15, 2021, to June 15, 2021). The demographic, comorbidities, vital parameters, and lactate values, as well as C- reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and 28-day mortality data were recorded. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in our study. The median (25th - 75th percentile) age was 58 (47.3 - 73.5) years, and 33 (47.1%) patients were female. The mean lactate value was 1.6 (1.2 - 1.98) mmol/L, the mean NEWS was 6 (4-7.75), and the mean NEWS+L was 7.24 ± 2.54. Mortality occurred in 13 (18.2%) of the 70 patients at 28 days. Lactate, NEWS, and NEWS+L had no significant relationship with mortality. None of these parameters was able to predict mortality (P = 0.132, 0.670, and 0.994, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the NEWS+L, NEWS, and lactate level could not predict short-term mortality in COVID-19 patients at the time of first admission.