Table 3 FF-CPAP therapy conditions and patients’ outcome
All patients (n = 85) | FF-CPAP alone (n = 31) | FF-CPAP followed by intubation (n = 54) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Time between symptoms onset and FF-CPAP initiation, days | 9 (7–13) | 11 (7–13) | 9 (7–12) | 0.09 |
Time between hospital admission and FF-CPAP initiation, days | 1 (0–4) | 1 (0–4) | 1 (0–4) | 0.85 |
Predefined intubation criteria upon FF-CPAP initiation, n (%) | 36 (42.6) | 13 (41.9) | 23 (42.6) | > 0.99 |
Vital signs during the first hour of FF-CPAP | ||||
Oxygen flow rate, L/min | 15 (15–15) | 15 (15–15) | 15 (15–30) | 0.84 |
Respiratory rate, breaths/min | 30 (25–38) | 29 (25–32) | 32 (24–42) | 0.04 |
SpO2, % | 96 (93–98) | 96 (95–98) | 95 (92–98) | 0.05 |
Heart rate, beats/min | 86 (72–101) | 86 (72–96) | 86 (72–107) | 0.53 |
Treatment received during FF-CPAP therapy, n (%) | ||||
Lopinavir/ritonavir | 25 (29.8) | 6 (19.4) | 19 (35.8) | 0.14 |
Hydroxychloroquine | 51 (60.7) | 16 (51.6) | 35 (66) | 0.25 |
Tocilizumab | 12 (14.6) | 7 (22.6) | 5 (9.8) | 0.20 |
Corticosteroids | 8 (9.5) | 4 (12.9) | 4 (7.5) | 0.46 |
Outcome | ||||
FF-CPAP duration, days | 2 (1–4) | 4 (1.5–5.5) | 2 (1–3) | 0.02 |
Admission to the ICU, n (%) | 68 (80) | 14 (45.2) | 54 (100) | < 0.001 |
28-day mortality, n (%) | 23 (27.1) | 0 | 23 (44.2) | < 0.001 |
28-day VFD, days | – | – | 21 (0–26) | |