Predictors of Hospital Length of Stay among Hospitalized Older Patients with COVID-19

Hassan Noureldin, Abdelrahman; Ahmad El Sadany, Mohamad; M. Osman, Ahmed; Gad, Walaa; Maher Adly, Sally; Ahmed Abdul-Rahman, Samia

doi:10.21608/ejgg.2023.325915

Predictors of Hospital Length of Stay among Hospitalized Older Patients with COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

² Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology and Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

³ Machine learning, Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, Ain Shams University.

10.21608/ejgg.2023.325915

Abstract

Background: Older patients are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 health consequences. The rapid and widespread COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a considerable shortage in the delivery of healthcare services, including hospital beds, which more evidently affected older adults. This study aimed to estimate the hospital length of stay for older COVID-19 patients and its associated factors. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the hospital database of older adult patients who were hospitalized in the Geriatric Medicine isolation Hospital, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt for COVID-19. The patient’s medical files were revised, and the patients’ data concerning history, clinical assessment, laboratory investigations, and length of hospital stay were extracted. Results: This study included 301 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The patient’s length of hospital stay (LOS) ranged from 1 to 37 days, with a median (interquartile range) of 9 (4 - 13) and a mean of 9.79 ± 6.74. Patients with previous cerebrovascular stroke had significantly longer hospital stays (p=0.034). Similarly, patients with COPD had significantly longer hospital stays (p=0.005). Also, a statistically significant longer LOS was found in COVID-19 patients who were presented with headaches (p=0.034). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the LOS and each of the haemoglobin levels (p=0.01) and lymphocytic count (p=0.003). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the LOS and each of the total leukocyte count (p=0.001), neutrophilic count (p=0.005), and blood urea nitrogen (p=0.011). Conclusion: Pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stroke, presenting with headaches, anaemia, Leucocytosis, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia, are associated with prolonged hospital stays, and could be identified as early indicators of a prolonged hospital stay.

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