Azoulay E, et al. - Researchers analyzed treatments and outcomes of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with and without comorbid conditions. They detected major comorbidities in half the patients with ARDS. These comorbidities showed association with severe ARDS, multiple organ dysfunction, and day-28 mortality. Data revealed an association of hematological malignancy with severe ARDS and rescue therapies for refractory hypoxemia. Related to COPD, HIV infection, and hematological malignancy, a lower likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation on the admission day was reported. The observed day-28 mortality was 33.7% overall, 27.2% in patients without major comorbidities, and 31.1% (COPD) to 56% (hematological malignancy) in patients with major comorbidities. An independent association of mortality with PaO₂/FiO₂ and PaCO₂ on day 1, ARDS of pulmonary origin, worse SOFA score, and ICU-acquired events, was observed.