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Predictors of Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Elderly COVID-19 Patients in Korea
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
This study analyzed blood transfusions in COVID-19 patients, finding higher red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates in elderly individuals. Predictors for RBC transfusion in older adults included diabetes mellitus, intensive care unit admission, and specific blood counts.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Clinical deterioration in COVID-19 patients often necessitates blood transfusion support.
- Understanding blood component usage is crucial for managing severe infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze blood component usage in COVID-19 patients.
- To identify predictors of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in elderly (≥65 years) patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 882 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Comparison of demographic, clinical characteristics, disease severity, and outcomes between transfused and non-transfused elderly patients.
- Multiple logistic regression to determine associations with RBC transfusion.
Main Results:
- Overall transfusion rate was 8.3%; 16.5% in elderly patients (≥65 years) versus 2.7% in younger patients (<65 years).
- In elderly patients, higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were observed in the transfused group.
- Lower hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet counts, higher disease severity on admission, DM, intensive care unit (ICU) entrance, Hb, platelet count, and NLR were independently associated with RBC transfusion in elderly patients.
Conclusions:
- This study provides transfusion rates in COVID-19 patients stratified by age.
- Identified key predictors for RBC transfusion in elderly COVID-19 patients.
- Findings can inform strategies for managing emerging infectious diseases during pandemics.
Background:
Patients who experience clinical deterioration from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) require blood transfusion support. We analyzed blood component usage in COVID-19 patients and identified the predictors of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in elderly (≥65 years) patients.
Methods:
Blood component usage in 882 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January 24, 2020 and April 30, 2021 was analyzed. Elderly patients were categorized into transfused and non-transfused groups according to their RBC transfusion history; their demographic and clinical characteristics, disease severity, and outcomes were compared. Associations were determined using multiple logistic regression.
Results:
The overall transfusion rate was 8.3% (73/882), and the transfusion rate was 2.7% (14/524) in patients aged <65 years and 16.5% (59/358) in those aged ≥65 years. Among the 358 elderly patients, 344 patients, including 50 who received transfusion and 294 who did not, were enrolled for the analysis. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on admission were significantly higher in the transfused group, whereas Hb and platelet counts were significantly lower. Disease severity in the transfused group was relatively high on admission and increased thereafter. DM, intensive care unit entrance on admission, Hb, platelet count, and NLR on admission were independently associated with RBC transfusion.
Conclusions:
This study presents transfusion rates in COVID-19 patients according to age groups and predictors of RBC transfusion in elderly patients. The results provide a basis for developing a strategy for the medical treatment of infectious diseases emerging during pandemics.
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