Severity, risk of progression or thrombosis – what does the D-dimer really reflect in COVID-19 pneumonia?

Abstract

Connection between&nbsp;D-dimer level and disease outcome is still unknown. The aim was to estimate the role of D-dimer on admission in hospitalized patients (pts) with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. <b>Materials and methods:</b> We observed 53 pts (age – 59(52;65), men–22(41,5 %)) hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, divided into 3 groups: G1 (group) – 36 pts with moderate COVID-19 pneumonia,&nbsp;G2 – 12 pts with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, G3 – 5 pts with critical COVID-19 pneumonia. D-dimer was performed at admission before treatment starting, statistic analysis. <b>Results:</b> At admission the level of D-dimer in 34 (64,2%) pts was increased, the highest levels had pts with critical course. Individual analysis showed that 28 patients from G2 and G3 had progression of COVID-19 pneumonia in dynamic.22 pts (78,6%)of wich had D-dimer higher than&nbsp;predicted (0–285 ng/l) (Fig.1). Statistical analysis showed the powerful reliable connection between increased level of D-dimer at admission and disease progression (OR=3.667; CI=95% (1.042; 12.600); p&lt;0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> 1) significantly increase of the level of D-dimer&nbsp;is associated with critical course of disease. 2) for moderate and severe hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia D-dimer could be the predictor of disease progression: increased level of D-dimer at admission more than 285&nbsp;ng/l is associated with 3 times higher risk of disease progression.