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Association between laboratory markers and Covid-19 disease severity and outcome: a retrospective cohort study in
Aliaa Amr Alamoudi1,2, Sahar Eldakhakhny3, Haneen Banjar4,5
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Age and albumin levels are key indicators of COVID-19 severity and mortality in Saudi Arabia. Red blood cell count also predicts patient outcomes. These laboratory findings aid in disease management.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Limited studies in Saudi Arabia explore COVID-19's epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory factors.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for effective disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify laboratory parameters associated with COVID-19 disease severity and mortality at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.
- To enhance understanding of COVID-19's clinical and laboratory characteristics in the region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective assessment of 111 COVID-19 patients (July-August 2020).
- Evaluation of age, gender, medical history, and laboratory parameters.
- Categorization of disease severity: mild, moderate, and severe (ICU admission).
Main Results:
- Age was significantly associated with both disease severity (p <0.001) and outcome (p < 0.01).
- Albumin levels were significantly associated with disease severity (p <0.05).
- Red blood cell (RBC) count showed a significant relation with disease outcome (p <0.05).
Conclusions:
- Age and albumin levels are important predictors of COVID-19 severity.
- RBC count is a significant predictor of patient outcomes.
- Findings contribute to better disease management strategies in Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
In Saudi Arabia, limited studies have evaluated factors including epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory findings that are associated with COVID-19 disease. The aim of this paper was to identify laboratory parameters used in King Abdulaziz University Hospital which show an association with disease severity and patient outcome in the form of mortality.
Methods:
Age, gender, medical history, and laboratory parameters were all retrospectively assessed concerning disease severity and disease outcome in a total of 111 COVID-19 patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between July 2020 and August 2020. Patients were categorized into mild disease if they did not require ward admission, moderate if they met the Ministry of Health criteria for isolation ward admition, and severe if they were admitted to the ICU.
Results:
Age but not gender was associated with the disease severity X (4, N = 110) = 27.2, p <0.001. Of all laboratory parameters on admission, only the levels of Albumin appeared to be significantly associated X (2, N =70) = 6.6, p <0.05 with disease severity. Age but not gender was also significantly associated with disease outcome X (2, N = 110) = 12.8, p < 0.01. Interestingly, RBC count also showed a significant relation with disease outcome X (2, N = 71) = 6.1, p <0.05.
Discussion:
This study provides more understanding of the laboratory characteristics in our part of the world to efficiently manage the disease.
