Early profiling of low-risk SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia for ward allocation

Introduction: The new coronavirus causing COVID-19 has spread worldwide, leading to a shortage of ICU and ward beds, thereby prompting the need to triage mild vs severe pneumonia. The objective of our study is to identify patients with low-risk COVID-19 pneumonia who do not require ICU admission and/or do not die during hospitalization, based on analytical and clinical data obtained in the initial evaluation. Methods: To this end, a multicenter cohort was defined in 4 hospitals with 1274 hospitalized patients. The cohort was stratified into two groups: (1) low-risk patients (hospitalized pneumonia that does not require ICU admission or die during hospitalization) and (2) severe pneumonia (direct or subsequent ICU admission and/or death). Demographic variables, analytics, and lower ATS/IDSA criteria were collected. A univariate study was conducted and, the variables found as significant, were introduced in a multivariate analysis of logistic regression. Results: Five independent associated factors were identified as predictors of no ICU requirement and/or death: 450 (OR 0.23, 0.15-0.36), CRP 723 cells/mL (OR 0.54, 0.36-0.81) and urea Conclusions: In conclusion, early identification of low-risk SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is feasible based on initial biochemical findings and using lower ATS/IDSA criteria. This is useful for the quickly decision of hospital admission when there are different hospitalization alternatives. Funding: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00385).