Fibrosis-4 Index as a Predictor for Disease Severity and Mortality in Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is a noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis in various patient populations. We examined whether there is a relationship between the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 disease and the FIB-4 index. Materials and Methods: This stuy is a cross-sectional and retrospective. The patients were divided into two groups as those hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and those hospitalized in the clinic (non- ICU). Results: Of the total 158 cases,86(54%) were male. Age, total bilirubin, AST levels and FIB-4 index were higher in ICU patients compared to non-ICUs (p<0.001,p=0.002, p=0.003, p<0.001 respectively). FIB-4 index non-survivors were also higher (p=0.002). When the effect of the FIB-4 index on the severity of COVID-19 disease and mortality was evaluated by ROC analysis, both ICU and non-survivors were found to be significant (respectively FIB-4 score;AUC=0.705,95%CI:0.624-785,p<0.001;AUC=0.654,95%CI:0.566-742,p=0.002). When the FIB-4 index cut-off value for disease severity was taken as 2.19, 70.0% sensitivity and 60% specificity were found in predicting disease severity. Moreover, when the FIB-4 index cut-off value for mortality was taken as 2.19, 71.2% sensitivity and 53% specificity were found in predicting mortality. Conclusion: The FIB-4 index is an independent predictor of severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients requiring ICU.