Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19
Published on: February 16, 2022
The study of serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer in COVID-19: a retrospective study
Ashok Kumar Ahirwar1, Roshan Takhelmayum2, Apurva Sakarde2
1Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110095, India.
Insights
Biomarker levels like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ferritin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) can predict COVID-19 mortality. Plasma D-dimer showed the strongest predictive value for adverse outcomes in patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 poses a significant risk of adverse outcomes, including mortality.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for risk stratification is crucial for managing COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal cut-off values for serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6, and plasma D-dimer in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients.
- To evaluate the predictive value of these biomarkers for adverse outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 400 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 cases.
- Patients were categorized into survivors and non-survivors based on hospital outcomes.
- Laboratory data for hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimer were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher mean levels of hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimer were observed in non-survivors compared to survivors.
- Biomarker levels correlated with the severity of COVID-19 illness.
- ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma D-dimer has superior predictive value for mortality.
Conclusions:
- Serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6, and plasma D-dimer levels are valuable for risk stratification in COVID-19 patients.
- The determined cut-off values can aid in predicting adverse outcomes.
- Plasma D-dimer emerges as a potentially superior early biomarker for predicting COVID-19 mortality.
Objectives:
The cut off values for serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ferritin, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and plasma D-dimer could be of profound help in detecting COVID-19 patients at risk of adverse outcomes. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the cut off values of the serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Methods:
Four hundred RT-PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 were sub divided into two groups based on their outcome during hospitalisation. Group I consisted of survivors and Group II consisted of non-survivors. The survivors were further divided into three sub-groups: mild, moderate and severe based on the severity of infection. The laboratory data of serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer for all these patients was retrieved from the Medical Record Section of the Hospital.
Results:
Mean serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in non-survivors as compared to survivors of COVID-19. The levels of these biomarkers correlated with the severity of COVID-19 illness. ROC curve analysis revealed that plasma D-dimer is having a better predictive value as compared to other parameters in predicting mortality in COVID-19.
Conclusions:
The serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer levels could be used in risk stratification of COVID-19 patients. The optimum cut off given by the current study could be considered in predicting adverse outcome in these patients. Amongst the many studied biomarkers, plasma D-dimer might be the best early biomarker to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients.
