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Elevated Plasma D-Dimer Concentrations in Adults after an Outpatient-Treated COVID-19 Infection

Christa Meisinger1, Inge Kirchberger1,2, Tobias D Warm3

  • 1Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Augsburg, University of Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany.

Viruses
|November 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Elevated D-dimer levels in outpatients after COVID-19 are linked to inflammation markers, not symptoms. This finding suggests prolonged D-dimer elevation may indicate ongoing inflammatory processes post-infection.

Area of Science:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Elevated D-dimer is common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, correlating with poor outcomes.
  • The significance of D-dimer levels in outpatients after COVID-19 remains unclear.
  • Understanding post-COVID-19 D-dimer trends is crucial for assessing long-term health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate D-dimer levels in individuals treated as outpatients after COVID-19.
  • To investigate the association between D-dimer levels and clinical parameters, including inflammation biomarkers.
  • To determine if D-dimer elevation post-COVID-19 correlates with acute or persistent symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 411 outpatients with a history of COVID-19.
  • Plasma D-dimer levels measured using a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.
  • Multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify associations with clinical and inflammatory markers.

Main Results:

  • 15% of participants had elevated D-dimer levels (≥500 µg/L).
  • Elevated D-dimer was associated with older age and a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and chronic venous insufficiency.
  • C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and white blood cell count were significantly associated with elevated D-dimers, while symptoms were not.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated D-dimer levels months after outpatient COVID-19 appear linked to inflammation markers, not current symptoms.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the pathophysiology and long-term consequences of persistent D-dimer elevation post-COVID-19.
  • Findings suggest D-dimer may serve as a marker for subclinical inflammatory processes in some post-COVID-19 patients.

Keywords:
COVID-19D-dimerhypercoagulabilityinflammationoutpatients

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