Retrospective Analysis of Hematological Abnormalities in Older Diabetic Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Background: Understanding the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in elderly diabetic patients is crucial, considering the impact of age, comorbidities, and clinical biomarkers. However, the assessment of common haematological markers in this specific population remains limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 27 elderly patients (mean age: 61.81±7.14 years) with COVID-19 infection. We analysed the medical e-records of COVID-19 positive patients who presented to a COVID-19 centre in Qatar in July 2020. Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to confirm COVID-19 infection using throat-swab upper respiratory samples. Clinical haematological parameters were analysed and compared with normal ranges. Results: Among the 27 patients investigated, 51.85% were male. A low viral load (cycle threshold (Ct) ≥ 30) was observed in 7.4% of patients, while 92.59% had a high viral load (Ct < 30). At presentation, 59.25% of patients were symptomatic. The observed haematological abnormalities ranked in descending order of frequency were as follows: high red blood cell counts, and high mean platelet volume (52% each), high platelet distribution width (48%), low haemoglobin values, and low haematocrit values (22% each), leukopenia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia (15% each), thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis, and neutrophilia (7% each), and lymphocytosis (4%). Conclusion: Our study highlights the common occurrence of haematological abnormalities in older diabetic patients with COVID-19 infection. Monitoring haematological parameters may be valuable in managing these patients, especially in severe cases, and could facilitate early identification of individuals requiring intensive care, potentially reducing mortality. Keywords: Geriatric Medicine; Public Health; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factor; SARS-CoV-2; Symptomatic Infection; Thrombocytopenia; Viral Load