Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with a high mortality rate. It posed a formidable challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the predictive value of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/albumin ratio as a mortality marker in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection in the emergency department (ED). METHODOLOGY: A retrospective evaluation of 352 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infections was conducted. Out of the 352 patients, 183 (51.99%) were discharged and 169 (48.01%) succumbed. Comprehensive demographic, clinical, biochemical, and haematological data was compiled for each patient. BUN to albumin ratios were determined for all patients, and all data were compared between survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: This study included 352 patients. The average length of stay in the hospital was 13 days. In the survivor group, the median BAR value was 0.012, but in the non-survivor group, it was 0.022 (p > 0.001). Also, it was determined that the differences in creatinine, BUN, and albumin between the two groups were statistically significant. The median BAR value was significantly higher in the non-survivor group (0.022 [0.014-0.033]) as opposed to the survivor group. Also, the median values of creatinine were higher and albumin was lower in the non-survivor group. This difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The BUN/albumin ratio can be utilized as a marker of mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection presenting to the emergency department.