ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the association between tobacco smoking habits and severity and mortality of COVID-19 disease among ICU hospitalized patients. Material: Baseline sociodemographic, co-morbidities and clinical characteristics of 222 adult (70 women) COVID-19 hospitalized patients, aged 69+/-8yrs, mean ICU length of stay 35+/-12 days, were retrospectively collected and analyzed from 01/08/2020-01/08/2021. Also, information about caregivers' tobacco smoking behaviors were obtained. Result(s): 57 patients were current smokers (35+/-4 pack/yrs) and 61 ex-smokers(28+/-9pack/yrs). E-cigarette users were 18 patients (2 ex-smokers), dual users 22 (all current smokers). 37 continued to smoke up to hospital admission. Arterial hypertension (47/35) diabetes (44/24), betamuI>30 (22/34), coronary disease (40/22) and COPD (41/28) noted as main comorbidities in current smokers and ex-smokers. CT findings of pulmonary emphysema were detected in 31% of current and ex-smokers. 51% (113) of total patients died, aged 71+/-4 yrs, and ICU length of stay 40+/-15 days. Current smokers and ex-smokers were hospitalized in ICU for a longer period 29+/-7 days (p=0.001). APACHE II (48+/-8) and SOFA score (11+/-3) were higher in current smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.003). 53% of ICU patients had a family member that smoked, and 35% of them were willing to undergo a Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. 90% of current smokers after ICU discharge quitted smoking. Conclusion(s): Tobacco smoking is a serious comorbidity in ICU patients hospitalized for covid 19 disease, with both current smokers and ex-smokers reveal more severe rates of mortality and morbidity.