Low HDL and high triglycerides predict COVID-19 severity.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Lipids play a critical role in the SARS-CoV-2 infection pathway.
• The clinical implications of plasma lipid profiles in COVID-19 patients require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between plasma lipid profiles and the clinical progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To evaluate the predictive value of lipid parameters for COVID-19 prognosis.

Main Methods:

• An observational cross-sectional study was conducted.
• Included 1411 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with pre-hospitalization (n: 1305) or in-hospital (n: 297) lipid profiles.
• Analyzed serum total, LDL, non-HDL, and HDL cholesterol for predicting severe vs. mild COVID-19.

Main Results:

• Severe COVID-19 cases exhibited lower HDL cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels pre-infection.
• In-hospital lipid profiles also indicated lower HDL and higher triglycerides in severe cases.
• Atherogenic dyslipidemia independently predicted a worse COVID-19 prognosis and correlated with ferritin and D-dimer.

Conclusions:

• Low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, measured pre- or during hospitalization, are strong predictors of severe COVID-19.
• Lipid profiles serve as sensitive markers of inflammation and should be routinely measured in COVID-19 patients.