COVID-19 and seasonal influenza infection outcomes in the ICU: a retrospective comparison study

To compare the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 or influenza- associated pneumonia.

We conducted a two-center retrospective study on patients admitted to the ICU due to either COVID-19 associated pneumonia (CAP) or influenza-associated pneumonia (IAP). Baseline characteristics, therapy during hospitalization and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Our study included 86 patients admitted to the ICU. Twenty-four patients (28%) had IAP and 62 patients (72%) had CAP. Those with IAP had more comorbidities of cardiac disease (p=0.005) and chronic obstructive lung disease (p=0.03) compared to those with CAP. Non-invasive ventilation was used significantly more in patients with IAP (p=0.001). The use of neuromuscular blockade was significantly higher in CAP patients (p=0.001). CAP patients had less favourable ventilation parameters. PEEP was significantly higher in those with CAP on the first day of admission (p=0.002). There was no difference in mortality (p=0.61) between the groups.

Patients admission to the ICU with CAP had less comorbidity than those with IAP. Patients with CAP had poorer ventilatory parameters patterns, requiring more aggressive ventilation and ECMO support. The overall mortality did not differ significantly between the groups.