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Published on: June 11, 2012
Hypertriglyceridemia during hospitalization independently associates with mortality in patients with COVID-19
Wen Dai1, Hayley Lund2, Yiliang Chen3
1Blood Research Institute, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Insights
Elevated triglyceride levels during hospitalization significantly increase mortality risk in COVID-19 patients. This finding highlights hypertriglyceridemia as a critical factor in coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alterations in blood triglyceride levels are observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The specific association between hypertriglyceridemia and mortality in COVID-19 patients remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between triglyceride level alterations and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed 600 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Triglyceride levels (baseline and peak) were assessed, with hypertriglyceridemia defined as >150 mg/dl.
- Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between hypertriglyceridemia and mortality.
Main Results:
- Non-survivors exhibited significantly higher peak triglyceride levels compared to survivors (Median 179 vs. 134 mg/dl, p < 0.001).
- Hypertriglyceridemia was independently associated with increased mortality (odds ratio=2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.7, p=0.001) after multivariable adjustment.
- No significant difference in baseline triglyceride levels was observed between survivors and non-survivors.
Conclusions:
- Hypertriglyceridemia during hospitalization is independently linked to a 2.3-fold increase in mortality among COVID-19 patients.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to validate these retrospective findings.
Background:
Alteration in blood triglyceride levels have been found in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the association between hypertriglyceridemia and mortality in COVID-19 patients is unknown.
Objective:
To investigate the association between alteration in triglyceride level and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of 600 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 diagnosis (ICD10CM:U07.1) and/or SARS-CoV-2 positive testing results between March 1, 2020 and December 21, 2020 at a tertiary academic medical center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. De-identified data, including demographics, medical history, and blood triglyceride levels were collected and analyzed. Of the 600 patients, 109 patients died. The triglyceride value on admission was considered the baseline and the peak was defined as the highest level reported during the entire period of hospitalization. Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as greater than 150 mg/dl. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between hypertriglyceridemia and mortality.
Results:
There was no significant difference in baseline triglyceride levels between non-survivors (n = 109) and survivors (n = 491) [Median 127 vs. 113 mg/dl, p = 0.213]. However, the non-survivors had significantly higher peak triglyceride levels during hospitalization [Median 179 vs. 134 mg/dl, p < 0.001]. Importantly, hypertriglyceridemia independently associated with mortality [odds ratio=2.3 (95% CI: 1.4-3.7, p = 0.001)], after adjusting for age, gender, obesity, history of hypertension and diabetes, high CRP, high leukocyte count and glucocorticoid treatment in a multivariable logistic regression model.
Conclusions:
Hypertriglyceridemia during hospitalization is independently associated with 2.3 times higher mortality in COVID-19 patients. Prospective studies are needed to independently validate this retrospective analysis.
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