Clinical outcome and its correlation with inflammatory markers in SARS-COV-2 patients

Abstract

Coronaviruses, characterized by a single-stranded RNA genome, present a challenge due to the unclear relationship between elevated inflammatory markers and disease severity. This study examines the correlation between inflammatory markers (D-dimer, serum ferritin, serum LDH, CRP) and clinical outcomes in 62 COVID-19 patients at a medical center in Puducherry, India. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate, or severe based on WHO guidelines. CBC, RFT, D-dimer, serum LDH, serum ferritin, and CRP levels were evaluated at admission and after 72 hours. Most patients with moderate and severe disease experienced ARDS and required oxygen support, with ventilator assistance limited to severe cases. Severe cases were also associated with pulmonary embolism and DIC, leading to mortality in all six severe cases. Higher CRP positivity was noted in moderate and severe cases on days 1 and 3, along with elevated D-dimer, ferritin, and LDH levels, indicating severity. In conclusion, severe illness was marked by significantly elevated levels of CRP, D-dimer, ferritin, and LDH, suggesting their potential as prognostic indicators. Repeated monitoring of these markers may aid in predicting outcomes for severe cases in clinical practice.