Assessment of diagnostic procedures and tools of COVID-19 among Iraqi patients: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: The pandemic SARS – CoV2 is a novel virus disease that first appeared in China in December 2019. On February 24, 2020, the disease spread throughout Iraq, and many different studies were conducted on it. This study highlights the procedures for diagnosing COVID-19 and evaluating tools among Iraqi patients through a systematic review of research conducted in Iraq during the past two years (2020–2021). Methods: From March 2020 to December 31, 2021, articles on relevant themes were carefully searched in the main databases: Science Direct, PubMed, Embase, and Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals. Using keywords related to COVID-19 and Iraq yielded a total of 2743 articles. Articles were chosen for this systematic review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, according to the PRISMA 2020 statement for reporting systematic review. Only Iraqi studies that reported data on diagnostic procedure outcomes were included, with a total of 21 articles chosen. Results: A total of 21 articles were found to be relevant, which reviewed the biochemical and hematological parameters as diagnostic procedures and tools in Iraqi patients. The biochemical parameters are as follows: triglycerides, cholesterol, APRs, liver functions tests, kidney functions tests, antibodies, cytokines, and minerals. The hematological parameters are as follows: ABO group, red blood cell (RBC) indices, white blood cell (WBC) indices, and platelet indices. Conclusion: Diagnostic procedures and tools for COVID-19 among Iraqi patients were in agreement with the majority of other global studies. High serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, d-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cytokines were associated with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and also hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and neutrophilia. Biochemical and hematological parameters might be significant indicators for COVID-19 evaluation.