association of baseline C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels with six-minute walk test in severe COVID-19 survivors

Abstract

The post-COVID-19 syndrome can affect the patients' activities. The hyperinflammatory response resulting in permanent organ system damage or prolonged inflammation is thought to cause persistent symptoms. Inflammatory and coagulation markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and d-dimer may increase in acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated with unexpected outcome. Therefore, the researcher wanted to assess the association of baseline CRP and d-dimer levels with the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in severe COVID-19 survivors. This is a cross-sectional, observational analytic study. A total 80 participants were included in this study. The proportion of subjects with poor results of 6MWT was 71.3%. Bivariate analysis of high baseline level of CRP and d-dimer, and age 65 years old on the 6MWT showed significant results, with prevalence ratio (PR) consecutively 1.8 (95% CI1.408-2.284;p= <0.001),1.4 (95% CI1.165-1.796;p=0.018) , and 1.5 (95% CI 1.287-1.831; p= 0.008). Based on multivariate analysis, only high baseline level of CRP was significant (PR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.051-3.136; p = 0.032). The proportion of severe COVID-19 survivors with poor 6MWT was high. There is a significant association between high baseline levels of CRP with a poor 6MWT in severe COVID-19 survivors.