Introduction:

during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, pneumonia rapidly progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is difficult to manage, led to increased mortality worldwide. The various treatments implemented did not demonstrate conclusive efficacy. In this context, the production of COVID-19 vaccines began, allowing for a reduction in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions.

Objective:

to compare the clinical profile, mortality, and associated factors in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, vaccinated and unvaccinated, admitted to the Adult Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas between July 2021 and September 2022.

Methodology:

a retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study. Adult patients admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were grouped according to whether or not they received the COVID-19 vaccine. Data were obtained from patient medical records confirmed by RT-PCR in samples obtained via nasopharyngeal swab. Results: 104 patients with COVID-19 were recruited; 41 were vaccinated (39.4%), and 63 (60.6%) had not received any vaccine. There were no significant differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory markers, severity score, or treatments received. Vaccination was significantly associated with lower mortality (p=0.03). A non-significant trend toward a lower need for mechanical ventilation (p=0.074) and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.069) was observed in vaccinated patients.

Conclusions:

vaccination coverage was low. No significant differences were found in the clinical or laboratory profile between the two groups. Vaccination is associated with a significant reduction in mortality.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )