Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients undergoing early versus late intubation from initial hospital admission: A systematic review and meta-analysis

•The clinical outcomes of mortality, mechanical ventilation duration, and renal replacement therapy are similar regardless of intubation timing from initial hospital admission.•Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients did not affect the intubation timing, although patients receiving early intubation had higher SOFA scores.•With the advancements of pharmacological therapies, a well-designed prospective study is required to determine the outcomes of intubation timing from COVID-19 illness onset.