Table 3 Unadjusted and adjusted risk factors for developing at least one VAP in ICU COVID-19 patients

Age > 70 years old

111

37 (33.3)

1.02 (0.61–1.69)

0.946

Female (vs male), n (%)

203

60 (29.6)

0.58 (0.34–0.99)

0.045

0.69 (0.39–1.22)

0.205

SOFA score ≥ 4

182

71 (39)

2.19 (1.26–3.81)

0.005

2.11 (1.20–3.71)

0.009

APACHE II score ≥ 10

182

67 (36.8)

1.62 (0.95–2.76)

0.076

1.05 (0.55–2.00)

0.883

Comorbidities, n (%)

 Arterial hypertension

156

51 (32.7)

0.96 (0.58–1.58)

0.872

 Cardiovascular diseases

66

28 (42.4)

1.69 (0.96–2.99)

0.066

1.56 (0.85–2.83)

0.148

 Diabetes

50

17 (34)

1.05 (0.55–2.00)

0.881

 Obesity ^a

100

40 (40)

1.60 (0.96–2.67)

0.068

1.55 (0.91–2.65)

0.106

 Chronic lung disease

38

16 (42.1)

1.56 (0.78–3.15)

0.205

 Chronic renal disease ^b

13

5 (38.5)

1.27 (0.40–4.02)

0.674

 Renal placement therapy

27

11 (40.7)

1.44 (0.64–3.24)

0.375

 Previous neoplasm ^c

15

6 (40)

1.37 (0.47–3.97)

0.559

 Chronic neurological disorders

29

14 (48.3)

2.04 (0.94–4.43)

0.067

 Autoimmune diseases

29

8 (27.6)

0.75 (0.32–1.76)

0.506

 Other chronical diseases

38

12 (31.6)

0.92 (0.44–1.92)

0.830

Clinical characteristics

 Corticosteroid therapy

201

69 (34.3)

1.21 (0.69–2.10)

0.493

 Pronation ^d

109

32 (29.4)

0.76 (0.45–1.27)

0.290

 Barotrauma

19

4 (21.1)

0.52 (0.17–1.60)

0.248

 Blood transfusion

104

45 (43.3)

2.04 (1.23–3.39)

0.006

2.13 (1.26–3.59)

0.005

 Tocilizumab/Sarilumab

56

26 (46.4)

2.03 (1.12–3.70)

0.018

2.08 (1.12–3.84)

0.020

 Pre-OTI antibiotic therapy

149

55 (36.9)

1.44 (0.87–2.37)

0.151

 PaO₂/FiO₂ ≤ 100 mmHg

48

16 (33.3)

1.01 (0.52–1.95)

0.970

 ICU length of stay > 28 days

113

50 (44.2)

2.29 (1.38–3.79)

0.001

1.89 (1.10–3.24)

0.020

 30-day ICU mortality

104

35 (33.7)

1.04 (0.62–1.73)

0.880

 Overall ICU mortality

120

44 (36.7)

1.32 (0.80–2.17)

0.274