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Association Of Biochemical Markers With COVID-19 Severity In Pakistan
Rashid Iqbal1, Muhammad Aamir Khan Niazi1, Muhammad Usman Shabbir1
1Department of Medical Technology, Shifa College of Medical Technology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
This study found that older age, chronic kidney disease, cancer, shortness of breath, and chest pain are associated with severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Biochemical markers also effectively monitor COVID-19 progression.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding the demographic, clinical, and biochemical profiles of patients is crucial for managing the disease.
- Previous studies have explored various aspects, but a comprehensive evaluation of these factors in a specific population is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the demographics, biochemical markers, and clinical features of patients with COVID-19.
- To identify factors associated with the severity of COVID-19.
- To assess the utility of biochemical markers in monitoring disease progression.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at two hospitals in Pakistan from October 2021 to March 2022.
- Data from 431 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 via RT-PCR were analyzed.
- Patients were categorized into non-severe, severe, and critical groups based on WHO criteria; demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected.
Main Results:
- The study included 431 patients (21.1% male, 78.9% female) with a mean age of 60.75 years.
- Hypertension (71.2%) and diabetes (57.8%) were common comorbidities; fever (81.9%), shortness of breath (78.7%), and cough (70.1%) were prevalent symptoms.
- Higher age, chronic kidney disease, cancer, shortness of breath, chest pain, and elevated levels of various biochemical markers (bilirubin, ALT, urea, creatinine, leukocyte count, D-Dimer, ferritin, LDH, IL-6) were significantly associated with increased COVID-19 severity.
Conclusions:
- Biochemical markers serve as an excellent tool for monitoring the progression of coronavirus disease-2019.
- Identifying clinical and biochemical indicators of severity can aid in patient management and risk stratification.
- Further research can explore therapeutic interventions targeting these markers.
Objective:
To evaluate demographics, biochemical markers and clinical features of patients suffering from coronavirus disease-2019.
Methods:
The cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively at the Capital Hospital, Islamabad, and the Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from October 08, 2021 to March 01, 2022 and comprised patients of either gender with coronavirus disease-2019 diagnosed on the basis of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Patients' demographic, clinical and laboratory findings were obtained using patient charge sheets. Coronavirus disease-2019 was categorised as non-severe, severe and critical, according to the World Health Organisation criteria. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.
Results:
Of the 431 patients, 91(21.1%) were men and 340(78.9%) were women. The overall mean age was 60.75±14.45 years. Of the total, 148(34.3%) had non-severe, 190(44.1%) severe and 93(21.6%) had critical condition at the time of admission. Hypertension 307(71.2%) and diabetes mellitus 249(57.8%) were the most common comorbidities, while fever 353(81.9%), shortness of breath 339(78.7%) and cough 302(70.1%) were the most common symptoms reported. Higher age was significantly associated with coronavirus disease-2019 severity (p<0.001). Among comorbidities, chronic kidney disease (p<0.001) and cancer (p=0.046), and, among signs and symptoms, shortness of breath (p=0.002) and chest pain (p=0.021), were significantly associated with coronavirus disease-2019 severity. Serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, urea and creatinine levels had significant association with disease severity (p<0.001). Total leukocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, prothrombin time, and plasma D-Dimer levels had significant association with disease severity (p<0.001). Serum ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase and interleukin-6 levels were also significantly associated with disease severity (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Assessment of biochemical markers was an excellent way to monitor disease progression in coronavirus disease-2019 patients.
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