Incidence, mortality and risk factors in COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA): an umbrella review and meta-meta-analyses (2020-2025).
Fungal lung infection complicates 1 in 9 COVID-19 ICU stays and triples death risk; identified risk factors remain relevant for other severe pneumonias in vulnerable patients.
This umbrella review of 16 meta-analyses shows CAPA affects ~11% of COVID-19 ICU patients with 51.6% mortality and triples the risk of death — while COVID-19 ICU rates have declined, the identified risk factors (COPD, DM, corticosteroids, IL-6 inhibitors) remain relevant for immunosuppressed patients with severe pneumonia from any cause. The study underscores the need for standardized CAPA diagnostic criteria.
What the study was
- Study design
- Umbrella review with meta-meta-analysis of 16 systematic reviews/meta-analyses (2020-2025)
- Population
- Critically ill COVID-19 ICU patients susceptible to CAPA
- Category
- Public Health
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- Respiratory Medicine
Why it surfaced
Umbrella review provides high-quality pooled evidence on CAPA — relevant to ICU infectious disease management. Sentinel capture. Not on watchlist but clinically significant.
A plain-language summary of published research — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own care.