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Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Serum Endocan Levels in Patients With COVID-19
Selim Görgün1, Şener Cindoruk2, Emre Özgen3
1Department of Microbiology, Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Insights
Elevated endocan (human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) levels in COVID-19 patients may indicate a poorer prognosis. Higher endocan levels were associated with increased mortality risk in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses significant global health challenges.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for COVID-19 prognosis is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between endocan (human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) levels and disease prognosis in COVID-19 patients.
- To assess the potential of endocan as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 28 healthy controls.
- Measurement of serum endocan levels using quantitative methods.
- Analysis of endocan levels in relation to patient outcomes, including recovery and mortality.
Main Results:
- Median endocan levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients (243.5 ng/mL) compared to controls (201.5 ng/mL).
- Patients who died from COVID-19 had substantially higher median endocan levels (558 ng/mL) than those who recovered (240.5 ng/mL).
- A serum endocan level of 202 ng/mL demonstrated 86.7% sensitivity and 50% specificity for diagnosing COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- Serum endocan levels may serve as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing COVID-19.
- Elevated endocan levels are associated with increased mortality risk in COVID-19 patients, suggesting prognostic utility.
Abstract:
We aimed to evaluate whether there was a relationship between endocan (human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) levels and disease prognosis in patients who presented to the emergency department with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 60 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized from the emergency department to clinical wards and a control group consisting of healthy adult individuals (n = 28), were included in the study. The majority (93.3%) of the patients were discharged after recovery; 6.7% died. The median endocan value was 243.5 ng/mL in the patient group versus 201.5 ng/mL in the control group (P = .002). The median endocan level was 240.5 ng/mL in those discharged with recovery and 558 ng/mL in those who died (P = .001). There was no significant relationship in hospitalization duration, sex, tomography findings, and clinical outcomes. A 202 ng/mL serum endocan level had 86.7% sensitivity and 50% specificity for COVID-19. Serum endocan levels may be a useful biomarker both for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to predict mortality.
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