Predictors of sepsis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Abstract Background Viral sepsis has been suggested as a precise term to define multisystem dysregulated immune response and clinical sequelae in severe and critical COVID-19 cases. This work aimed to determine predictors of sepsis in those patients and to report their outcomes. Methodology This prospective observational clinical study took place on 120 patients aged more than 18 years old, both genders, and hospitalized patients with laboratory-verified SARS CoV-2 infection. Enrolled patients were allocated into two groups: sepsis group ( n = 49) and no sepsis group ( n = 71). Results COVID-19 severity, National Early Warning Score (NEWS) risk, and Quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score were significantly elevated in sepsis group. Glasgow Coma Scale was significantly reduced in sepsis group ( P < 0.05). Mortality, length of hospital stay, ICU admission, and ventilatory support were significantly higher in sepsis group ( P < 0.05). Serum procalcitonin was significantly elevated in sepsis group ( P < 0.05). Serum procalcitonin can significantly predict sepsis at cutoff > 0.5 µg/L with 89.8% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pH (decreased in sepsis group), heart rate (HR), platelets count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), qSOFA score, serum procalcitonin, and duration of hospitalization (increased in sepsis group) were independent predictors of sepsis. Conclusions In COVID-19 patients, decreased SBP, DBP, MAP, and pH while increased HR, respiratory rate, platelets, LDH, ESR, qSOFA score, serum procalcitonin, and duration of hospitalization were found to be independent predictors of sepsis.