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C-reactive protein levels associated with COVID-19 outcomes in the United States
Jacob Lentner1, Taylor Adams1, Valene Knutson1
1A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Medicine, Kirksville, MO, USA.
Insights
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in COVID-19 patients correlate with increased mortality and longer hospital stays. This finding highlights CRP as a potential prognostic marker for disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarkers
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic presents ongoing uncertainties regarding disease progression.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a potential prognostic indicator for COVID-19 severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and patient outcomes in COVID-19.
- To determine if CRP levels predict length of stay (LoS) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 541 COVID-19 patients admitted between March and May 2020.
- Data extracted from electronic medical records, including CRP levels, demographics, and clinical data.
- Analysis controlled for body mass index (BMI), age, and number of comorbidities.
Main Results:
- First CRP measurement significantly predicted mortality (p<0.001) and length of stay (LoS) (p<0.001).
- Each unit increase in CRP correlated with a 0.007 increase in the odds of death.
- Each unit increase in CRP correlated with a 0.003-day increase in LoS.
Conclusions:
- A positive correlation exists between COVID-19 patient CRP levels and adverse outcomes, including mortality and LoS.
- CRP is a significant predictor of both mortality and length of stay in COVID-19 patients.
- Findings support the use of CRP as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 severity.
Context:
COVID-19 caused a worldwide pandemic, and there are still many uncertainties about the disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could be utilized as a prognosticator for disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
Objectives:
This study aims to determine whether CRP levels are correlated with COVID-19 patient outcomes and length of stay (LoS).
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing data obtained between March and May 2020. Data were collected by abstracting past medical records through electronic medical records at 10 hospitals within CommonSpirit Health. Patients were included if they had a positive COVID-19 test from a nasopharyngeal swab sample, and if they were admitted and then discharged alive or had in-hospital mortality and were ≥18 years. A total of 541 patients had CRP levels measured and were included in this report. Patient outcome and LoS were the endpoints measured.
Results:
The 541 patients had their CRP levels measured, as well as the demographic and clinical data required for analysis. While controlling for body mass index (BMI), number of comorbidities, and age, the first CRP was significantly predictive of mortality (p<0.001). The odds ratio for first CRP indicates that for each one-unit increase in CRP, the odds of death increased by 0.007. For LoS, the first CRP was a significant predictor (p<0.001), along with age (p=0.002). The number of comorbidities also predicted LoS (p=0.007), but BMI did not. The coefficient for the first CRP indicates that, for each one-unit increase in CRP, LoS increased 0.003 days.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that there is a positive correlation between the CRP levels of COVID-19 patients and their respective outcomes with regard to death and LoS.
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