Development and external validation of prediction models for critical outcomes of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients based on demographics, medical conditions and dental status.

Background: Multiple prediction models were developed for critical outcomes of COVID-19. However, prediction models using predictors which can be easily obtained in clinical practice and on dental status are scarce.

Aim: The study aimed to develop and externally validate prediction models for critical outcomes of COVID-19 for unvaccinated adult patients in hospital settings based on demographics, medical conditions, and dental status.

Methods: A total of 285 and 352 patients from two hospitals in the Netherlands were retrospectively included as derivation and validation cohorts. Demographics, medical conditions, and dental status were considered potential predictors. The critical outcomes (death and ICU admission) were considered endpoints. Logistic regression analyses were used to develop two models: for death alone and for critical outcomes. The performance and clinical values of the models were determined in both cohorts.

Results: Age, number of teeth, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases were the significant independent predictors. The models showed good to excellent calibration with observed: expected (O:E) ratios of 0.98 (95%CI: 0.76 to 1.25) and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.80 to 1.24), and discrimination with shrunken area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.85 and 0.79, based on the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, the models showed good to excellent discrimination with AUC values of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.80 to 0.90) and 0.78 (95%CI: 0.73 to 0.83), but an overestimation in calibration with O:E ratios of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.49 to 0.85) and 0.67 (95%CI: 0.52 to 0.84).

Conclusion: The performance of the models was acceptable in both derivation and validation cohorts. Number of teeth was an additive important predictor of critical outcomes of COVID-19. It is an easy-to-apply tool in hospitals for risk stratification of COVID-19 prognosis.