Platelet-albumin-bilirubin score and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict intensive care unit admission in patients with end-stage kidney disease infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19: a single-center prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop clinical scores to predict the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with COVID-19 and end stage kidney disease (ESKD).

Methods

This was a prospective study in which 100 patients with ESKD were enrolled and divided into two groups: the ICU group and the non-ICU group. We utilized univariate logistic regression and nonparametric statistics to analyze the clinical characteristics and liver function changes of both groups. By plotting receiver operating characteristic curves, we identified clinical scores that could predict the risk of ICU admission.

Results

Out of the 100 patients with Omicron infection, 12 patients were transferred to the ICU due to disease aggravation, with an average of 9.08 days from hospitalization to ICU transfer. Patients transferred to the ICU more commonly experienced shortness of breath, orthopnea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The peak liver function and changes from baseline in the ICU group were significantly higher, with p values <.05. We found that the baseline platelet-albumin-bilirubin score (PALBI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were good predictors of ICU admission risk, with area under curve values of 0.713 and 0.770, respectively. These scores were comparable to the classic Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score (p > .05).

Conclusion

Patients with ESKD and Omicron infection who are transferred to the ICU are more likely to have abnormal liver function. The baseline PALBI and NLR scores can better predict the risk of clinical deterioration and early transfer to the ICU for treatment.

Keywords:

• Omicron infection
• end stage kidney disease
• abnormal liver function
• ICU
• platelet-albumin-bilirubin score
• neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
• inflammation

Acknowledgements

We want to thank the patients who used the records in this study and all the co-authors of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from public, commercial, or not-for-profit funding agencies.