Clinical characterization and outcomes in patients admitted to ICU with SARS-COV2 in Colombia’s coffee triangle region
Abstract
Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a public health threat because it results in admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19, and the outcomes among people admitted to ICU in the Coffee Triangle region in Colombia. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study performed in the Colombian Coffee Triangle region, located in the centre of Colombia. All patients with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection referred or admitted to an ICU in three hospitals between December 1, 2020, to January 1, 2021, were enrolled. The clinical parameters, treatment, complications, and outcomes of the patients are described. Results: 171 patients were enrolled, the average age was 60 years, and mainly men (63.7%). The main comorbidities were arterial hypertension (59.6%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (31.6%). The main symptoms were dyspnoea (90.6%), and general malaise (83%). Diffuse bilateral alveolar opacities (58.5%) were the most important imaging finding. 73% of the patients received broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy during their ICU stay; however, only 52.05% of patients received a bacterial superinfection diagnostic confirmed by microbiological tests. Conclusions: This is the first characterisation of critical COVID-19 patients in the coffee triangle region in Colombia. Continuing to generate knowledge about COVID-19 in each territory is essential in order to optimise the management, life support, and clinical decisions for COVID-19 patients.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Melissa González, María Fernanda Jiménez, Jaime Andrés Hoyos, Andrés Alirio Restrepo, Juan Guillermo Buitrago, Carolina Hermida Ortiz, Brahyan Osorio, Cristhian Morales
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