Lactate dehydrogenase and susceptibility to deterioration of mild COVID-19 patients: a multicenter nested...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The rapid spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) necessitates early identification of patients at risk of severe illness.
• Mild COVID-19 cases can progress to severe disease, highlighting the need for predictive markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical characteristics associated with disease progression in mild COVID-19 patients.
• To determine independent risk factors for exacerbation among individuals with initially mild Coronavirus disease 2019.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter nested case-control study design was employed.
• Confirmed mild COVID-19 patients were categorized into stable and progression groups for comparative analysis.
• Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of disease exacerbation.

Main Results:

• Older age, male sex, dyspnea, hypertension, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein levels were more common in patients who progressed.
• Advanced age (OR, 1.012) and higher LDH levels (OR, 1.012) were independently associated with disease exacerbation in mild COVID-19.
• The study analyzed 85 patients, with 16 in the progression group and 69 in the stable mild group.

Conclusions:

• Advanced age and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels are significant independent risk factors for progression in mild COVID-19.
• Clinicians should closely monitor elderly patients and those with high LDH levels for signs of worsening illness.
• These findings aid in risk stratification and management of mild Coronavirus disease 2019 cases.