Abstract :
Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are regional variations in the causes and outcomes of ARDS, which are also influenced by patient demographics and underlying health conditions. This study aimed to identify ARDS etiologies in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala and evaluate clinical factors influencing patient outcomes, focusing on mortality predictors.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2019 and June 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, including 62 patients diagnosed with ARDS per the Berlin criteria. Data on demographics, clinical history, comorbidities, and outcomes were collected. Investigations included chest X-rays, echocardiograms, and arterial blood gas analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, with logistic regression to assess mortality predictors.
Results: Among the 62 patients, 58.1% were male, and the majority (56.5%) were aged 56-75 years. COVID-19 (51.6%) was the most common cause of ARDS, followed by Leptospirosis (22.6%) and H1N1 pneumonia (8.1%). The overall mortality rate was 37.1%. Older age, severe ARDS (PaO?/FiO? ratio
Conclusions: ARDS outcomes in this study population reflected the global burden of the disease, with infectious causes, particularly COVID-19, playing a dominant role. Mortality was highest in older patients with comorbidities, severe ARDS, and those requiring invasive ventilation. Early intervention, based on key prognostic markers, is essential for improving outcomes.
Keyword :
ARDS, Covid-19, Mortality, PaO?/FiO? ratio, qSOFA score, Mechanical ventilation.