PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SILENT HYPOXEMIA IN PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, can range from asymptomatic cases to severe cases. Some patients may develop silent hypoxemia, a low oxygen saturation (SatO2 ≤ 92%) without symptoms of shortness of breath. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors associated with silent hypoxemia in patients hospitalized for covid-19. Methodology: This is a retrospective study carried out in a hospital in Caratinga/MG, between March and December 2020, including 75 patients with confirmed covid-19. Demographic data, clinical history, and laboratory tests were collected. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation test. Results: Among the participants, 22 had hypoxemia, 9 had silent hypoxemia, and 44 comprised the control group. Systemic arterial hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor, followed by diabetes mellitus. The hospital discharge rate was high in all groups (88.8% in the group with silent hypoxemia). The prevalence of silent hypoxemia was 12%, with a higher incidence in men (66.6%) and non-long-lived elderly individuals (55.6%). Conclusion: The lack of association between silent hypoxemia, clinical profile and hospital outcome may have been influenced by study exclusion criteria, such as smoking and previous oxygen therapy. Furthermore, there was no association between silent hypoxia, clinical and epidemiological profile, or with the clinical outcome of patients hospitalized for covid-19.