Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented mortality and has stretched the health infrastructure thin worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. There is a need to evaluate easily available biomarkers for their clinical relevance for poor outcomes in severe cases of COVID-19. It is also known that comorbidities affect these biomarkers with or without COVID-19. We aimed to unearth the influence of comorbidities on feasible hematological predictive markers for mortality in hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study done on severe COVID-19 hospitalized patients, diagnosed with RT polymerase chain reaction (n = 205), were investigated. Comorbidities associated with the patients were tracked and scored according to Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). CCI score of zero was grouped in A, those with CCI score 1–4 into group B and those with CCI scores ≥ 5 into group C. Correlation between hematological parameters and CCI scores was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Optimal cut-off and odds ratio was derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Among the 205 severe COVID-19 patients age, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and total leukocyte count (TLC) were found to be statistically significant independent risk factors for predicting COVID-19 mortality (p < 0.01). In group A, cut off for CRP was 51.5 mg/L (odds ratio [OR]: 26.7; area under curve [AUC]: 0.867), TLC was 11,850 cells/mm³ (OR: 11.7; AUC: 0.731), NLR was 11.76 (OR: 14.3; AUC: 0.756), dNLR was 5.77 (OR: 4.89; AUC: 0.659), ANC was 13,110 cells/mm³ (OR: 1.68; AUC: 0.553). In group B, cut off for CRP was 36.5 mg/L (OR: 32.1; AUC: 0.886), TLC was 11,077 cells/mm³ (OR: 12.1; AUC: 0.722), NLR was 8.27 (OR: 18.9; AUC: 0.827), dNLR was 3.79 (OR: 9.26; AUC: 0.727), ANC was 11,420 cells/mm³ (OR: 2.42; AUC: 0.564). In group C, cut-off for CRP was 23.7 mg/L (OR: 32.7; AUC: 0.904), TLC was 10,480 cells/mm³ (OR: 21.2; AUC: 0.651), NLR was 6.29 (OR: 23.5; AUC: 0.647), dNLR was 1.93 (OR: 20.8; AUC: 0.698), ANC was 6650 cells/mm³ (OR: 2.45; AUC: 0.564). Conclusions: In severe COVID-19 patients, CRP was the most reliable biomarker to predict mortality followed by NLR. Presence, type, and number of co-morbidities influence the levels of the biomarkers and the clinically relevant cut-offs associated with mortality.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue in India, with high incidence and mortality. The current literature on post-TB sequelae functional defects focuses heavily on spirometry, with conflicting obstruction vs. restriction data, lacks advanced statistical analysis, and has insufficient data on diffusion limitation and functional impairment. Objective: This study aimed to thoroughly evaluate post-tubercular sequelae after treatment, assessing chest radiology, spirometry, diffusing capacity, and exercise capacity. Methods: A total of 85 patients were studied at a university teaching hospital in Mysuru. The data collected included characteristics, comorbidities, smoking history, and respiratory symptoms. The investigations included spirometry, DLCO, chest X-rays with scoring, and 6MWT. Results: Of the patients, 70% had abnormal X-rays post-treatment, correlating with reduced lung function. Additionally, 70% had impaired spirometry with obstructive/restrictive patterns, and 62.2% had reduced DLCO, with females at higher risk. Smoking increased the risk of sequelae. Conclusions: Most patients had residual radiological/lung function abnormalities post-treatment. Advanced analyses provide insights into obstructive vs. restrictive defects. Ongoing research should explore pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic modalities to minimize long-term post-TB disability.

The use of the Ratio of Oxygen Saturation (ROX) index to predict the success of high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) is well established. The ROX can also predict the need for intubation, mortality, and is easier to calculate compared with APACHE II. In this prospective study, the primary aim is to compare the ROX (easily administered in resource limited setting) to APACHE II for clinically relevant outcomes such as mortality and the need for intubation. Our secondary aim was to identify thresholds for the ROX index in predicting outcomes such as the length of ICU stay and failure of non-invasive respiratory support therapies and to assess the effectiveness of using the ROX (day 1 at admission, day 2, and day 3) versus Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores (at admission) in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) to predict early, late, and non-responders. After screening 208 intensive care unit patients, a total of 118 COVID-19 patients were enrolled, who were categorized into early (n = 38), late (n = 34), and non-responders (n = 46). Multinomial logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), Multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan–Meier analysis were conducted. Multinomial logistic regressions between late and early responders and between non- and early responders were associated with reduced risk of treatment failures. ROC analysis for early vs. late responders showed that APACHE II on admission had the largest area under the curve (0.847), followed by the ROX index on admission (0.843). For responders vs. non-responders, we found that the ROX index on admission had a slightly better AUC than APACHE II on admission (0.759 vs. 0.751). A higher ROX index on admission [HR (95% CI): 0.29 (0.13–0.52)] and on day 2 [HR (95% CI): 0.55 (0.34–0.89)] were associated with a reduced risk of treatment failure. The ROX index can be used as an independent predictor of early response and mortality outcomes to HFNO and NIV in COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in low-resource settings, and is non-inferior to APACHE II.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and ventilator-delivered non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) were used to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to lack of ventilators and manpower resources despite the paucity of data regarding their efficacy. This prospective study aimed to analyse the efficacy of HFNC versus NIV in the management of COVID-19 ARDS. A total of 88 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients with moderate ARDS were recruited. Linear regression and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used for trends in vital parameters over time. A total of 37 patients were on HFNC, and 51 were on NIV. Patients in the HFNC group stayed slightly but not significantly longer in the ICU as compared to their NIV counterparts (HFNC vs. NIV: 8.00 (4.0–12.0) days vs. 7.00 (2.0–12.0) days; p = 0.055). Intubation rates, complications, and mortality were similar in both groups. The switch to HFNC from NIV was 5.8%, while 37.8% required a switch to NIV from HFNC. The resolution of respiratory alkalosis was better with NIV. We conclude that in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia with moderate ARDS, the duration of treatment in the ICU, intubation rate, and mortality did not differ significantly with the use of HFNC or NIV for respiratory support.

Intrahospital transport (IHT) of critically ill patients is essential for diagnostic and therapeutic indications, requiring thorough assessment and careful preparation of patients, staff, and equipment throughout the process. Variability in practices among hospitals can affect patient safety and may result in adverse events (AEs). This position statement is designed to provide guidance to multidisciplinary critical care teams in the adoption of evidence-based recommendations aimed at mitigating risks and improving safety during patient transport. This position statement has been drafted by an expert committee on IHT constituted by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. The process involved thorough review of literature from electronic database using PubMed services. Recommendations made are tailored with considerations for Indian setting; the units may further modify these as per local needs and equipment and staffing available. The final manuscript was written after achieving consensus among members, and final draft was accepted by all the committee members. This position statement offers a compilation of 38 strategic recommendations, which are comprehensive and deal with all aspects of IHT of the critically ill. Recommendations provided in this document are, therefore, applicable for routine use during the IHT. They cover all phases of transport and answer questions pertaining to pre-, intra-, and post-transport considerations. It will help to achieve uniformity, minimize AEs, and enhance safety. This is a standard set of 38 evidence-based recommendations to ensure safety for IHT, tailored for implementation in various criticalcare settings across India. Science is ever-changing, and periodic review will be needed to keep it up to date with emerging evidence and standards. Zirpe KG, Tiwari AM, Kulkarni AP, Govil D, Samavedam S, Sharma J, et al. Position Statement of ISCCM on Intrahospital Transport of Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(4):291–300.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding factors influencing COPD outcomes, particularly in regions where biomass exposure is prevalent. The Factors Affecting Survival in Severe and Very Severe COPD Patients Admitted to Tertiary Centers of India (FAST) study aims to address this gap by evaluating factors impacting survival and exacerbation rates among COPD patients in LMICs like India, with a specific focus on biomass exposure, clinical phenotypes, and nutritional status in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The FAST study is an observational cohort study conducted in university teaching hospitals across India. The study aims to enroll 1000 COPD patients admitted to the ICU meeting specific inclusion criteria, with follow-up assessments conducted every 6 months over a 2-year period. Data collection includes demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations, pulmonary function tests, medications, nutritional status, mental health, and health-related quality of life. Adjudication of exacerbations and mortality will also be undertaken. The FAST study seeks to provide crucial insights into COPD outcomes in LMICs, informing more precise management strategies and mitigating the burden of COPD in these settings. By evaluating factors such as biomass exposure, clinical phenotypes, and nutritional status, the study aims to address key knowledge gaps in COPD research. Arunachala S, Devapal S, Swamy DSN, Greeshma MV, Ul Hussain I, Siddaiah JB, et al. Factors Affecting Survival in Severe and Very Severe COPD after Admission in ICUs of Tertiary Care Centers of India (FAST COPD): Study Protocol for a Multicentric Cohort Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(6):552–560.