Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 infection involves a complex interplay of the immunological and inflammatory responses. Low blood-oxygen levels have been a hallmark in COVID-19 patients. The lung tissue damage infiltered by the viral-mediated inflammation decreases oxygen saturation to cause silent hypoxia and cell death. This study aimed to evaluate the association of inflammatory biomarkers with oxygen saturation (SpO2) and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients.MethodsA total of 190 severe COVID-19 patients were included in this study after confirmed by the RT-PCR assay. The laboratory tests were performed for biochemical assessment. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ferritin were determined and compared between survivors and nonsurvivors using independent sample t-test. The correlation of these inflammatory markers was studied using Spearman’s correlation, and their association with mortality was studied using logistic regression.ResultsAll the COVID-19 patients were severe with SpO2< 90% and respiratory rate > 30/min. While the serum levels of CRP, LDH, ferritin, aspartate transaminase (AST), urea, and random blood sugar (RBS) were elevated, hemoglobin (Hb) and SpO2 levels were reduced in COVID-19 patients. LDH and ferritin levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared to survivors with p values of 0.001 and 0.022 respectively. Spearman’s correlation showed a significant correlation of the inflammatory markers with SpO2, serum electrolytes (potassium, chloride), liver enzymes (AST and alanine transaminase (ALT)), and markers of kidney damage (urea, creatinine).ConclusionInflammatory markers could effectively discriminate the risk of mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. As CRP, LDH, and ferritin levels determine the tissue oxygen availability, they seem to be valuable biomarkers in the prognosis of COVID-19.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.