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Risk factors for intensive care unit admission among COVID-19 patients in the West Bank, Palestine: a retrospective cohort study

Khalid D, Al Zabadi H, Qaddumi J, Taha I

Frontiers in medicine, 2025

200 participants

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has significantly strained healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in resource-limited and conflict-affected regions such as Palestine. Understanding the risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission is essential for effective triage and resource allocation.

Objective: This study aimed to identify demographic, clinical, and laboratory predictors of ICU admission among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in governmental hospitals across the West Bank, Palestine.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted across six designated COVID-19 treatment hospitals from November 2020 to February 2021. Medical records of 200 adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were reviewed. Patients were grouped based on ICU versus general ward admission. Bivariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models were employed to identify independent predictors of ICU admission and to evaluate the time to ICU transfer.

Results: Of the 200 patients, 117 (58.5%) were admitted to the ICU. Multivariate logistic regression identified obesity (OR = 66.7, p p = 0.001), white blood cell count (OR = 1.25, p = 0.005), and blood urea nitrogen (OR = 0.96, p = 0.007) as significant positive predictors. Random blood sugar (OR = 0.99, p = 0.014) was inversely associated with ICU admission. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analyses further revealed that obesity, low PaO₂, low BUN, low RBS, pregnancy, and pneumonia significantly shortened the time…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 200 participants or records.

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