ABSTRACT
Background Since the first case of severe COVID-19, its effect on patients with previous interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been uncertain. We aimed to describe baseline clinical characteristics in ILD patients hospitalized by several or critical COVID and compare mortality during hospitalization.Methods We studied patients with ILD plus COVID-19 and a control group, matched by age, 1:2 ratio of patients with COVID-19 without chronic lung disease. On admission, laboratory tests and sociodemographic variables we evaluated. We classified patients as severe or critically ill and compared baseline characteristics and mortality in each group. Additionally, we performed a sub-analysis of patients who died versus survivors.Results 41 patients and 82 controls were analyzed. We found differences in the ILD group, women 65 versus 33% (p < 0.001); lower leukocytes (9 ± 6 versus 11 ± 7, p = 0.01), lower neutrophils (8 ± 5 vs 10 ± 6, p = 0.02). Also, higher mortality in the ILD plus critical COVID-19 group (63 vs. 33%, p = 0.007). Patients who died had higher BMI (28 ± 6 vs. 25 ± 4kg/m2, p = 0.05), less extended hospital stay (20 ± 17 vs. 36 ± 27 days, p = 0.01), and less days of evolution (9 ± 7 vs. 16 ± 16, p = 0.05).Conclusions We found higher mortality in patients with ILD plus critical COVID-19. Higher BMI and comorbidities were present in the non-survivors. The most common presented ILD was secondary to autoimmune diseases.