Prolonged Oxygen Therapy Post COVID-19 Infection: Factors Leading to the Risk of Poor Outcome

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, can lead to severe illness with prolonged symptoms and hospitalization.
• Understanding factors influencing delayed recovery and mortality in severe COVID-19 is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring prolonged oxygen therapy post-negative SARS-CoV-2 testing.
• To identify risk factors for delayed recovery, failure to wean from oxygen, and mortality in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 93 moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen post-RT-PCR negative test.
• Patients were categorized by ability to wean off oxygen during isolation.
• Risk factors including age, gender, comorbidities, and HRCT findings were assessed.

Main Results:

• Patients aged ≥60 years had a higher risk of prolonged oxygen requirement.
• Presence of comorbidities significantly increased the risk of failure to wean in patients <50 years.
• Multiple comorbidities (≥3) were associated with increased risk of CCU admission, failure to wean, and death.
• Elderly males with coronary artery disease (CAD) and multiple comorbidities faced high mortality risk.

Conclusions:

• Patients ≥50 years with ≥3 comorbidities are at increased risk for prolonged hospitalization and oxygen therapy in severe COVID-19.
• Delayed recovery and discharge are likely even after SARS-CoV-2 negativity in these high-risk groups.
• Elderly male COVID-19 patients with CAD and multiple comorbidities have a significantly elevated risk of mortality.