The researchers enrolled over 2,200 critically ill patients in the study from at least 65 ICU units across the U.S. To account for differences in patient-level characteristics, they factored in “age, sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index (BMI),” and a range of other covariates that could affect patient outcomes. They then assessed which factors contributed to mortality within 28 days of admission to the ICU.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Overall, 784 (over 35 percent) of the critically ill patients died within that time frame, and the researchers were able to identify several factors that contributed to that outcome. As the study explains, “several patient characteristics were associated with a higher risk of death. Similar to previous reports, older age was associated with a higher risk of death, although at least 15 percent of patients died in every age group, including those younger than 40 years.” The study also confirmed that having the aforementioned underlying health conditions contributed to patient outcomes. However, having a comorbidity tended to double or, in very rare cases, triple a patient’s risk of death. Being over 80 years of age was the only factor to increase a person’s risk so dramatically. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. This means each of us must do our part to shield the elderly from contracting coronavirus in the first place. Wearing masks, social distancing, and offering additional help with errands could make all the difference for the country’s most vulnerable population. And for more ways to keep yourself and others safe, check out 50 Essential COVID Safety Tips the CDC Wants You to Know.
