INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN COVID-19: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 50 PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN INDIA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES- The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the recent pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Inflammatory responses play a critical role in the progression of COVID-19. It is important to identify early manifestations of COVID-19 patients who are at risk for disease progression and manage them accordingly. In this study we aimed to determine the inflammatory markers viz. C- reactive protein (CRP), D- dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin and IL-6, in COVID-19 patients and compare these parameters between discharged (after recovery) and expired patients. We also looked for any association between these parameters and number of days of hospitalisation of the discharged (after recovery) patients. METHODS- We conducted a retrospective observational study on 50 COVID-19 patients. The level of inflammatory markers viz. CRP, D- dimer, Procalcitonin, Ferritin and IL-6 of the patients were recorded. The patients were divided into two broad categories: - Group A: Discharged from hospital after recovery; Group B: expired at hospital. Group A was divided into Group A1: Discharged from hospital after recovery, number of days of hospitalisation <=10; Group A2: Discharged from hospital after recovery, number of days of hospitalisation >10. RESULTS- Patients in group B (non survivors) had significantly higher serum levels of d- Dimer, procalcitonin and ferritin than group A (survivors). CONCLUSION- High serum levels of d- Dimer, procalcitonin and ferritin can predict worse outcome in COVID- 19 patients. KEYWORDS- COVID-19, CRP, D- dimer, Ferritin, IL-6, Procalcitonin, SARS- CoV-2