The intensive care population profile in Denmark before and during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; a national register-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the change in admission rate and demographic profile of patients admitted to ICUs throughout Denmark before and during first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS: A register-based national observational study of all patients admitted to ICU from December 2019 until April 2020, comparing ICU admission before and after lockdown. RESULTS: The number of admissions declined, especially in the age groups below 18 and above 70. The sex distribution and the comorbidity-level remained unchanged. The length of hospital stay prior to ICU admission increased. Overall fewer patients were admitted electively. CONCLUSION: Fewer patients were admitted to ICU and waited longer for admission during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.