Impact of Comorbidities on Clinical Outcomes among Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases Admitted to Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of comorbidities on clinical outcomes among individuals with chronic respiratory diseases admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Methodology: It was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out in the ICU of Doctors hospital and Farooq Hospital, Lahore. A sample of 180 patients diagnosed with chronic respiratory diseases was recruited using consecutive sampling techniques. The data on comorbidities including conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, chronic kidney disease, and obesity were gathered. Clinical outcome (ICU mortality, mechanical ventilation requirement, and length of stay in the ICU) was noted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: 68 (37.8%) patients out of 180 patients died in the ICU. One hundred and thirty-two (132) patients had comorbidities. Death rates were also considerably greater among the patients with a variety of comorbidities (P<0.001). The highest mortality rates were observed among patients with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Mechanical ventilation was required in 110 (61.1%) patients and was significantly associated with the burden of comorbidity (P = 0.002).

Conclusion: Comorbidities play a significant role in clinical outcomes among patients admitted to ICU with underlying chronic respiratory diseases, with a higher mortality rate, a longer ICU stay, and an increased requirement of mechanical ventilation.