ICU Admission Risk Factors for Latinx COVID-19 Patients at a U.S.-Mexico Border Hospital

Abstract

Objective Few studies have examined the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the primarily Latinx community along the U.S.-Mexico border. This study explores the socioeconomic impacts which contribute to strong predictors of severe COVID-19 complications such as intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization in a primarily Latinx/Hispanic U.S.-Mexico border hospital. Methods A retrospective, observational study of 156 patients (≥ 18 years) Latinx/Hispanic patients who were admitted for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at a U.S.-Mexico border hospital from April 10, 2020, to May 30, 2020. Descriptive statistics of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities (coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer/lymphoma, current use of immunosuppressive drug therapy, chronic kidney disease/dialysis, or chronic respiratory disease). Multivariate regression models were produced from the most significant variables and factors for ICU admission. Results Of the 156 hospitalized Latinx patients, 63.5% were male, 84.6% had respiratory failure, and 45% were admitted to the ICU. The average age was 67.2 (± 12.2). Those with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 had a higher frequency of ICU admission. Males had a 4.4 (95% CI 1.58, 12.308) odds of ICU admission ( p = 0.0047). Those who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) and BMI 25–29.9 were strong predictors of ICU admission ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.0020, respectively). Those with at least one reported comorbidity had 1.98 increased odds (95% CI 1.313, 2.99) of an ICU admission. Conclusion Findings show that age, AKI, and male sex were the strongest predictors of COVID-19 ICU admissions in the primarily Latinx population at the U.S.-Mexico border. These predictors are also likely driven by socioeconomic inequalities which are most apparent in border hospitals. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40615-022-01478-1.

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of death in COVID‐19 hospitalizations in Mexico 2020: A retrospective cohort study

“…Mexico has increased comorbidities and age. These comorbidities are associated with increased risk of death and worse outcomes 10,11 . Mexico has the highest overweight and obesity rates with a prevalence of diabetes of over 10% roughly equating to 13 million Mexicans 12 .…”

“…These comorbidities are associated with increased risk of death and worse outcomes. 10,11 Mexico has the highest overweight and obesity rates with a prevalence of diabetes of over 10% roughly equating to 13 million Mexicans. 12 This number has increased since 2006 by 7% and continues to grow.…”

“…27 Previous studies have looked at mortality in COVID-19, but have not looked at the specific subset of individuals in Mexico with comorbid diabetes with the level of statistical analyses utilizing both Cox proportional hazards and restricted mean survival time. 11,28,29…”

“…Patients that contract COVID‐19 have a range of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to death 27 . Previous studies have looked at mortality in COVID‐19, but have not looked at the specific subset of individuals in Mexico with comorbid diabetes with the level of statistical analyses utilizing both Cox proportional hazards and restricted mean survival time 11,28,29 . Proper delineation of the effect size of diabetes can help improve clinical reasoning from physicians and streamline resource allocation.…”