Table 3.
Comparison between low-NHH and high-NHH in ICU COVID-19 patients.
| NHH Group (19) | L-NHH | H-NHH | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | 19 | 8 | 11 | |
| Age, median (IQR) | 68 (60–76.5) | 71 (58.5–76.5) | 66 (61.5–73.5) | 0.868 |
| Male, n (%) | 15 (79%) | 6 (75) | 9 (81.8) | 0.737 |
| Female, n (%) | 4 (21%) | 2 (25) | 2 (18.2) | 0.737 |
| BMI, median (IQR) | 27.3 (24.3–29) | 27.7 (26.8–27.7) | 26.8 (23.1–28.2) | 0.078 |
| SOFA score, median (IQR) | 5 (3–6.5) | 5 (3–6) | 5 (3.5–6.5) | 0.883 |
| APACHE II score, median (IQR) | 11 (8.5–15) | 12 (8.7–17.2) | 11 (8.5–14) | 0.579 |
| Comorbidities, n (%) | ||||
| Arterial hypertension | 12 (63.1%) | 6 (75) | 6 (45.5) | 0.390 |
| Cardiovascular diseases | 7 (36.8%) | 4 (50) | 3 (27.7) | 0.338 |
| Diabetes | 4 (21.0%) | 2 (25) | 2 (18.2) | 0.737 |
| Obesity a | 5 (26.3%) | 3 (37.5) | 2 (18.2) | 0.373 |
| Kidney disease b | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (12.5) | 0 (0) | N.A. |
| Hemodialysis | 1 (5.3) | 1 (12.5) | 0 (0) | N.A. |
| Chronic lung disease | 6 (31.6%) | 2 (25) | 4 (36.4) | 0.623 |
| Previous neoplasm c | 3 (15.7%) | 1 (12.5) | 2 (18.2) | 0.824 |
| Chronic neurological disorders | 2 (10.5%) | 0 (0) | 2 (18.2) | N.A. |
| Autoimmune diseases | 2 (10.5%) | 1 (12.5) | 1 (9.1) | 0.824 |
| Other chronical diseases | 3 (29.0%) | 2 (25) | 1 (9.1) | 0.376 |
| Clinical characteristics, no. (%) | ||||
| Pre-ICU hospitalization ≥ 7 days | 4 (21) | 0 (0) | 4 (36.4) | N.A. |
| PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 100 mmHg | 4 (21) | 3 (37.5) | 1 (9.1) | 0.149 |
| Invasive mechanical ventilation | 18 (94.7) | 7 (87.5) | 11 (100) | N.A. |
| ICU length of stay > 28 days | 8 (42) | 3 (37.5) | 5 (45.5) | 0.746 |
| ICU mortality, no (%) | ||||
| 28-day ICU mortality | 5 (26.3) | 3 (37.5) | 2 (18.2) | 0.373 |
| Overall ICU mortality | 6 (31.6) | 3 (37.5) | 3 (27.3) | 0.658 |
Abbreviations: COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019; ICU, intensive care unit; NHH, non-hepatic hyperammonemia; IQR, inter-quartile range; BMI, body mass index; SOFA score, sequential organ failure assessment and APACHE II score, acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation at ICU admission; a obesity is defined as BMI > 30 kg/m2; b stage 3–5 of CKD, chronic kidney disease; c includes solid neoplasia or hematological malignancy in the last 5 years; N.A., not applicable.