Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Estimation of emerging diagnostic parameters for Coronavirus Disease 2019 patients severity and fatality
M Ashraf1, Ishtiaq Ahmad2, Sajjad Ali3
1Department of Microbiology, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Insights
This study found that liver and renal function parameters are significantly associated with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients. These findings highlight potential diagnostic markers for disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding disease progression and identifying prognostic markers are crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify emerging diagnostic parameters for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- To investigate the relationship between these parameters and disease progression and fatality.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 408 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Patients were categorized by disease severity (mild to critical) and monitored for outcomes.
- Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.
Main Results:
- The study included 408 patients, with 52.69% being male and a median age of 55 years.
- Disease severity was significantly associated with liver and renal function parameters (p<0.05).
- A total of 11.51% of patients died during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalized COVID-19 patients exhibit varying severity levels.
- Liver and renal function parameters are significantly linked to COVID-19 severity, suggesting their utility as prognostic indicators.
Objective:
To identify various emerging diagnostics parameters of coronavirus disease 2019 related to disease progression and fatality.
Methods:
The cross-sectional study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, Pakistan, from February 9, 2021, to April 21, 2021, and comprised patients of either gender aged >18 years diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 on the basis of polymerase chain reaction testing and who were admitted to the hospital using the World Health Organisation interim guidelines. Disease progression was categorised as mild, moderate, severe and critical, and they were monitored closely till the final outcome. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.
Results:
Of the 408 patients, 215(52.69%) were male and 193(47.30%) were female. The overall median age of the sample was 55 years (interquartile range: 18-84 years). Symptoms included cough 92(22.54%), fever 80(19.60%), shortness of breath 78(19.60%), fatigue 60(14.70%) and loss of smell and test 52(12.74%), while 46(11.27%) were asymptomatic. Azithromycin was the most used drug 304(74.50%), while antiviral Remdesivir was given to 279(68.38%) patients and hydrocortisone to 143(35.04%). Plasma treatment was given to 55(13.48%) patients and mechanical ventilation to 87(21.32%). Compared to baseline, disease progression was mild in 72(17.64%) patients, moderate 96(23.52%), severe 98(24.01%) and critical in 89(21.81%), while no change was seen 53(12.99%) cases. Severity level was significantly associated with liver and renal function parameters (p<0.05). Overall, 47(11.51%) patients died.
Conclusions:
Different severity levels during hospitalisation among patients of coronavirus disease 2019 were noted, and severity level was significantly associated with liver and renal function parameters.
