Association of Smoking Status with Outcomes in Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19

Aim: The effect of smoking on patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection is unknown. The study determines the relationship between COVID-19 and smoking status on the development of disease and critical illness. Materials and Methods: The patient files and hospital information system records of COVID-19 patients over the age of eighteen who were hospitalized in the ICU of our hospital between March 2020 and January 2021 and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction method were retrospectively reviewed. Results: 1.003 of 226 COVID-19 patients included in the study, 58% were male, and the mean age was 65.38 (+/- 14.99). The patients' smoking status was categorized as non-smokers, ex-smokers, and current daily smokers (74.8%; 23%; 2.2%; respectively). The most common comorbid disease of the patients was hypertension (58%). One hundred seventy-nine patients were given respiratory support with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and 37.2% were discharged. The mean duration of IMV application, hospitalization, and hospitalization in the ICU was 7.11 (+/- 5.51); 14.42 (+/- 10.25), respectively; it was 7.58 (+/- 6.29) days. The average APACHE-II score was 23.87 +/-;8.86. Mortality was statistically significantly higher in those who received mechanical ventilator support from patients with no smoker stage and without the comorbid disease (p=0.009). Conclusion: Although the percentage of current smokers in patients hospitalized in the ICU due to COVID-19 is relatively low, we believe that polygenetic and multiple factors can explain it. It should not be recommended that tobacco products be administered for either preventive or therapeutic purposes in the case of COVID-19 infection.