Altered mental status is an independent from age, gender, and low oxygen saturation risk factor for long term mortality in patients with COVID-19

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical characteristics and long term survival in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting with AMS. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical records was performed. The patients were divided into a group 1 with AMS and a group 2 without AMS. Demographics, the presence of concomitant diseases, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were compared between the group that presented with AMS and the group that did not present with AMS. Survival analysis was performed with multiple regression models. The study was approved by Bioethical Commission. Results: The study group consisted of 174 patients aged 65±14 years. There were 88 (51%) women and 86 (49%) men. AMS at hospital admission was recognized in 14 (8%) patients. The patients with AMS were significantly older. Follow-up data were available for 163 patients. The median follow-up time was 467 (20-484) days. The 30 day mortality was 24% and the long term mortality was 30%. Conclusions: AMS occurs in about 8% of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital. AMS is an independent from age, gender, and low oxygen saturation risk factor for long term mortality in patients with COVID-19 disease. Quarantine have the importance of early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and patient monitoring in preventing deaths. The long term mortality in comparison to 30-day mortality doubled in patients with AMS and only slightly increased in patients without AMS.