ABSTRACT
SESSION TITLE: Critical Care Management of COVID-19 SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 01:30 pm - 02:30 pm PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of hospital acquired infections (HAI) in patients treated with systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or equivalent alternative corticosteroid) with high (> 10 mg/day) vs low (6 mg/day) dose for COVID-19 related acute hypoxemic failure METHODS: Observational cohort study of COVID-19 patients from July 25 and Oct 1, 2021 at a tertiary care hospital. 227 hospitalized patients were positive for COVID-19. 168 patients were included in the analysis. Corticosteroid type and dose was analyzed. Comparison of high vs low dose cohorts was done. Primary outcome measure was incidence of HAI in each group. Bloodstream Infections (BSI), Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) were included. Secondary measures were number of patients requiring intubation, length of ICU stay and inpatient mortality. Descriptive statistics were used to compare variables between cohorts including body mass index (BMI), severity of illness (SOFA and modified SOFA scores) and glucose control RESULTS: Of 168 patients: 68 (40%) received high dose (> 10 mg dexamethasone) & 100 patients (60%) received low dose (6 mg dexamethasone) corticosteroids. High vs Low dose: Demographics: Age (57 vs. 64 years;p 0.21), sex (51% vs. 57% female;p 0.77) & chronic comorbidities including BMI (29.2 vs 33.1;p 0.45). Severity of illness scores at day of corticosteroid use were similar (SOFA 4.7 vs 4.1;p 0.71 & mSOFA 2.6 vs 2.3;p 0.07) despite difference in rates of patients that required intubation (56% vs 18%;p<0.001). 45% of intubated died in high dose compared to 18% in low dose group. Overall mortality was 29.4% vs 11%;p 0.011. Glucose control (insulin > 50 u/day) was worse in high dose group (35% vs 14%;p<0.01). Baricitinib or tocilizumab used in 60% vs 44% of intubated;p0.62). HAI data: BSI- High dose 18/68 (26.5 %) vs low dose group 13/10 (13%);p 0.07. UTI-High dose 4/68 (6%) vs low dose group 5/100 (5%);p 1.00. HAP-High dose 27/68 (39.7%) vs low dose group 11/100 (11%);p <0.001. High dose group HAP > 1 organism: 15/27 (MSSA 44%, Aspergillus 18%, MRSA 18%, Streptococcus 26%, Pseudomonas 18%, rest were Enterobacter, H Influenzae, Acinetobacter, Serratia, E coli, Klebsiella, Providencia and Citrobacter species at 3% each). Low dose group HAP > 1 organism: 2/11 (Streptococcus 36%, MSSA 27%, H Influenzae 18%, rest were pseudomonas, E coli, stenotrophomonas and acinetobacter species) CONCLUSIONS: In hospitalized COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, high dose dexamethasone use was associated with significantly higher HAP rates compared to low dose dexamethasone. Moreover the high dose group had higher BSI, worse glucose control, higher intubations and deaths in the intubated cohort despite similar severity of illness in either group CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: High dose dexamethasone may increase susceptibility to HAIs and negatively impact outcomes in COVID-19 associated hypoxemic failure DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Beenish Bhutta No relevant relationships by Rosalyn Chi No relevant relationships by Jason Graf No relevant relationships by mohsin iqbal No relevant relationships by Rajat Kapoor No relevant relationships by Rachel Kruer No relevant relationships by Connor Parker No relevant relationships by Omar Rahman No relevant relationships by James Skinner