Aim: It was aimed to determine predictive markers for the need for intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization in patients with coronavirus infection.

Material and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively from data of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Yerkoy State Hospital. A total of 170 patients with a laboratory diagnosis of coronavirus were included. Thorax computed tomography (CT) findings, hematologic data, liver and kidney function tests, lipid profiles, basal hormone data and some vitamin levels were assessed. Gender, age, and length of hospital stay were determined. The existence of an independent relationship between biochemical parameters and the risk of admission to the ICU was investigated by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results: Mean age of participants was 69.12±13.72 years. 145 (85.3%) patients were discharged from the hospital with recovery, and 25 (14.7%) patients were referred to another hospital due to ICU needs. The median length of stay in the hospital was 5 (range 1-64) days. 143 (84.1%) patients had pathology in thorax CT. Length of stay in the hospital was significantly lower in referred patients than in non-ICU patients (p<0.001). Coronary artery disease (CAD) percentage was significantly higher in patients requiring ICU admission (p=0.010). We found no significant differences between non-ICU and ICU patients regarding age, sex, and CT findings. Platelet count (p=0.004) and monocyte percentage (p=0.018) were significantly lower, and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly higher in patients requiring ICU p=0.007).

Conclusion: The increase in LDH, decrease in platelet and monocyte, and presence of concomitant CAD in patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 may alert physicians regarding the need for ICU.