Effect of COVID-19 on lipid profile parameters and its correlation with acute phase reactants: A single-center

Talal Almas1, Jahanzeb Malik2, Abdulla K Alsubai1

  • 1Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

Insights

COVID-19 patients exhibit lower lipid profiles, including LDL-C, HDL, TG, and TC. This hypolipidemia worsens with disease severity, indicating SARS-CoV-2 alters lipid metabolism.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • The relationship between dyslipidemia and COVID-19 was not well understood.
  • Investigating pathological alterations in lipid profiles associated with COVID-19 is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess serum lipid levels (LDL-C, HDL, TG, TC) in COVID-19 patients.
  • To determine the association between lipid profile changes and COVID-19 severity.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of real-world COVID-19 patients (mild, moderate, critical).
  • Comparison of lipid profiles with age- and gender-matched controls.
  • Assessment of serum levels of LDL-C, HDL, TG, and TC.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 patients showed significantly lower LDL-C, HDL, TG, and TC compared to controls (P < 0.001).
  • Lipid parameters decreased progressively with increasing COVID-19 severity.
  • Logistic regression identified lipid profiles as predictors of COVID-19 severity.

Conclusions:

  • Hypolipidemia is increasingly frequent in severe COVID-19.
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection is implicated in altering lipid and thyroid levels, inversely correlating with acute-phase reactants.
Abstract

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