RED CELL INDICES IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 (AIR HUNGER RED OR NO RED)

Abstract

Objective: To see the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV- 2) on red cell indices in patients with COVID-19 disease.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the department of Pathology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Apr 2020 to Apr 2020.

Methodology: The study includes 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection admitted in PEMH. Cases was confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on pharyngeal swabs. After obtaining the informed consent and approval from the ethical committee patient’s complete blood counts (CBC) were performed. Haemoglobin and red cell indices values were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: Mean age of the study population was 43 years ± 14.4 SD with minimum of 20 years and maximum of 75 years. Out of 100 samples 96 were males and 4 females. Mean haemoglobin was 14.4 g/dl ± 1.93 g/dl. Red cell indices shows normochromic normocytic anemia. Among these 100 patients with moderate to severe disease admitted in the hospital 96 survived and 4 deceased.

Conclusion: COVID-19 patients show normocytic normochromic values. Therefore it is really important to evaluate the laboratory indices at baseline and during the evolution of disease which can help clinicians in making a structured treatment approach and urgently provide good intensive care to those who are in vital need.

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