COMPARISON OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SEVERITY OF COVID-19 DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: To assess correlation of various inflammatory markers with disease progression in COVID-19.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, from Apr 2020 to May 2020.

Methodology: All the patients admitted during this period were recruited in the study. Samples were collected from patients in medical wards, high dependency unit (HDU) and intensive care units (ICU). Sample was collected in plain tube for analysis of serum ferritin, quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin. For analysis of plasma lactate, sample was collected in sodium fluoride tube. Comparison of inflammatory markers amongst various groups was done to assess the association and correlation of these markers with the progression of disease.

Results: A total of 127 cases were studied, 114 were males and 13 were females. Age of patients in mild group was 41.6 ± 13.2, in moderate 53.3 ± 15.4 and in severe cases it was 54.6 ± 14.4. C-reactive protein and ferritin levels were significantly deranged in all groups with p-value of <0.001 respectively and same was the case for lactate and procalcitonin. Post Hoc analysis of the significant parameters showed that levels of all the parameters were significantly associated with all the stages of disease.

Conclusion: Majority of the Patients with COVID-19 disease exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers and their values significantly increased as the disease progressed with the time. As increase in inflammatory markers correlate with disease severity, regular monitoring by using these parameters can improve the disease outcome.