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Objectives The cut off values for serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ferritin, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and plasma D-dimer could be of profound help in detecting COVID-19 patients at risk of adverse outcomes. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the cut off values of the serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods Four hundred RT-PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 were sub divided into two groups based on their outcome during hospitalisation. Group I consisted of survivors and Group II consisted of non-survivors. The survivors were further divided into three sub-groups: mild, moderate and severe based on the severity of infection. The laboratory data of serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer for all these patients was retrieved from the Medical Record Section of the Hospital. Results Mean serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in non-survivors as compared to survivors of COVID-19. The levels of these biomarkers correlated with the severity of COVID-19 illness. ROC curve analysis revealed that plasma D-dimer is having a better predictive value as compared to other parameters in predicting mortality in COVID-19. Conclusions The serum hsCRP, ferritin, IL-6 and plasma D-dimer levels could be used in risk stratification of COVID-19 patients. The optimum cut off given by the current study could be considered in predicting adverse outcome in these patients. Amongst the many studied biomarkers, plasma D-dimer might be the best early biomarker to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients.

The prevalence of hyperuricemia has been increasing in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of present study was to know the prevalence of hyperuricemia in the population of Chitwan district as well as to compare the prevalence of hyperuricemia between Mongolian and non-Mongolian races of Chitwan district, who had attended the College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal during the period of January 1999 to December 2003. In this study 3794 subjects were investigated for serum uric acid level (SUA). Hyperuricemia is defined as SUA more than 7mg/dl for males and menopausal women and 6mg/dl for pre-menopausal females. SUA was estimated by Caraway method in digital colorimeter. Overall prevalence was 21.42%; the condition was more common in men than women (26.78% vs. 16.82%; p<0.001). The prevalence was higher in Mongolian than non Mongolian both in males and females (24.50 % Vs 21.06%; p>0.05). Key words: Hyperuricemia; SUA; digital colorimeter DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3612   Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 18-23

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