Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, is an ongoing global pandemic affecting multiple organ systems, including the hematopoietic system, particularly in severe cases, which has been sparingly reported. This study aimed to describe the hematological profile (WBC count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, platelet count, and D-dimers) of COVID-19 patients and assess the impact of these changes on outcomes at the Bamenda Treatment Center. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on medical records of eligible COVID-19 patients from April 20, 2020, to May 31, 2021, including cases with Full Blood Count or D-dimers but excluding those with confirmed death on arrival. Socio-demographic, clinical, and para-clinical data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with significance set at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. Of the 497 cases included, the mean age was 43.45±22.2 years, with a female predominance (male- to-female ratio of 1:1.5). Key findings included lymphocytopenia in 35.9% of participants and elevated D-dimers in 58.5%, with higher median D-dimers observed among non-survivors (Median: 1470.69, IQR: 5020.2) and those requiring supplemental oxygen (Median: 1289.75; IQR: 321.42–5341.67). Additionally, hospitalized patients with low platelet counts (83.3%) had significantly lower mean platelet counts than those quarantined at home (16.7%) (p<0.001). These findings highlight the significance of hematological changes among COVID-19 patients, particularly elevated D-dimers and lymphocytopenia, and underscore the need to monitor full blood count and D-dimers during initial consultations to enhance patient management and risk stratification.
Published Version
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