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Severe Lymphopenia as a Predictor of COVID-19 Mortality in Immunosuppressed Patients

María Martínez-Urbistondo1, Ángela Gutiérrez-Rojas1, Ane Andrés1

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Immunosuppression significantly increases COVID-19 mortality risk. Severe lymphopenia is a key factor in immunocompromised patients, requiring prompt identification for better outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exhibits high mortality in specific patient groups.
  • Baseline immunosuppression and severe lymphopenia are potential contributors to COVID-19 mortality in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of baseline immunosuppression on COVID-19 mortality.
  • To investigate the role of severe lymphopenia in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 1594 COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Madrid.
  • Comparison of epidemiological and clinical data, including severe lymphopenia (<500 lymphocytes/mm³), between immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed patients.

Main Results:

  • Immunosuppressed patients (10.4%) had higher rates of comorbidities and severe lymphopenia (53% vs 24.1%).
  • Immunosuppression was an independent risk factor for mortality (OR: 2.24), with higher mortality rates (27.1% vs 13.5%).
  • In immunosuppressed patients, age, ARDS, and severe lymphopenia were associated with increased mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Immunosuppression is an independent predictor of mortality in COVID-19 patients.
  • Prompt identification of severe lymphopenia is crucial for managing immunocompromised individuals with COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19immunosuppressionsevere lymphopenia

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