Table 1 Main characteristics, comorbidities, biological data, microbiological investigations performed within the first 48 h of ICU admission and outcomes of 92 critically ill COVID-19 patients

Age, years

61 [55–70]

Male, n (%)

73 (79)

Baseline SOFA

4 [3–7]

Baseline SAPS II

31 [21–40]

Main comorbidities, n (%)

 Obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²)

38 (41)

 Hypertension

59 (64)

 Diabetes mellitus

35 (38)

 Cardio-vascular diseases

9 (10)

 Atrial fibrillation

3 (3)

 Cerebro-vascular diseases

8 (9)

 Venous thrombo-embolism

5 (5)

 Chronic respiratory diseases^a

18 (20)

 Chronic renal failure

7 (8)

 Immunocompromised status^b

9 (10)

Before ICU admission

 Antibiotic therapy before (> 12 h) ICU admission, n (%)

39 (42)

 Number of days between the first symptom and ICU admission

8.5 [7–12]

 Number of days between hospitalization and ICU admission

1 [0–4]

 Hospitalization in the wards for 48 h or more before ICU admission, n (%)

30 (33)

Biological data at ICU admission

 Leukocytes count, 10³/mm³

9.0 [6.8–12.2]

 Lymphocytes count, 10³/mm³

0.8 [0.6–1.1]

 Platelets count, 10³/mm³

226 [183–303]

 C-reactive protein, mg/L

175 [131–232]

 Procalcitonin, ng/mL

0.9 [0.3–2.2]

 Fibrinogen, g/L

7.7 [6.1–8.8]

Microbiological investigations performed during the first 48 h of ICU admission

 Blood cultures

80 (87)

 Legionella pneumophila urinary antigen test

88 (96)

 Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test

88 (96)

 Culture of respiratory tract secretions sample

67 (73)

 Multiplex PCR Panel RP2 plus (nasopharyngeal swab)

26 (28)

 Multiplex PCR Panel Pneumonia Plus (respiratory tract secretions)

30 (33)

 Influenza A and B specific PCR

13 (14)

 Culture of respiratory tract secretions sample or multiplex PCR

82 (89)

Outcomes in ICU

 Invasive mechanical ventilation

83 (90)

 Prone positioning

55 (60)

 Vasopressor support

57 (62)

 Renal replacement therapy

22 (24)

  ICU mortality

45 (49)