The Effect of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate on Mortality in the Elderly COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and associated with higher mortality. Our study aimed to determine the relationship of eGFR during admission to the intensive care unit with mortality and clinical outcomes in the elderly COVID-19 patients. Material and Method: This study in which the elderly patients were included was retrospectively performed in a single-center intensive care unit (ICU). Results: A total of 152 patients including 75 female and 77 male patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 74.3±7.3 years. The number of patients was 92 (60.5%) in eGFR Stage 1-2, 15 (9.9%) in Stage 3a, 26 (17.1%) in Stage 3b, and 19 (12.5%) in Stage 4-5. The rate of patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation was 40.8% and hospital mortality rate was 48.7%. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, eGFR, LDH, Charlson score, and duration of stay in the intensive care unit were effective on mortality. Compared to eGFR Stage 1-2 patients, the mortality risk was 4.836 times higher in Stage 3a patients, 12.233 times higher in Stage 3b patients and 10.242 times higher in Stage 4-5 patients. Conclusion: Our results revealed that COVID-19 patients’ eGFR during admission to the intensive care unit, LDH, Charlson score, and duration of stay in the intensive care unit were effective on mortality.