Association of hypothermia with increased mortality rate in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Patients were observed to have variable temperatures. The objective of this study was to identify whether hypothermia in a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a higher than expected mortality.

In total, 331 charts from patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 between March 9 and April 20, 2020 were reviewed.

The probability of death was 2.06 times higher for those with hypothermia than for those without (95% CI 1.25-3.38)]. In ventilated patients, there were 32 deaths. Of these, 75% had been hypothermic. In a prior review of 10 000 non-SARS-CoV-2 patients with sepsis, the mortality rate in patients with hypothermia was 47%. A review of previous studies demonstrated a range of expected mortality rates in patients with ventilator-dependent respiratory failure and sepsis. In comparison, our study showed that within a group of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 and hypothermia, the mortality rate exceeded those rates.

Our review showed a significant association between hypothermia and death (p = 0.0033). Predictors of mortality in SARS-CoV-2 disease can expedite earlier aggressive care. Additionally, in areas with limited resources or overburdened healthcare systems, where there may be a need for resource allocation management, information about mortality risk may be helpful.