Biochemical and haematological parameters predicting severity of Covid 19 infection: Lessons from first wave of pandemic

Abstract

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared as pandemic by WHO on March 10, 2020. Several countries around the globe have seen a two-wave pattern of reported cases. India is witnessing unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases again since March 2021 especially in Maharashtra. Newer insights in pathogenesis of diseases, diagnosis and treatment modalities continue to evolve in case of novel infection. To study and compare laboratory parameters in COVID cases in first wave in 2020. Retrospective cross-sectional observational study. Total 400 cases; 354 RTPCR and 46 RAT confirmed cases of COVID-19 done at dedicated COVID Hospital. Comparison of laboratory parameters was done between 72 Severe and 328 Non-Severe cases by unpaired t-test. Statistically significant differences were seen in severe cases as compared to non severe cases in Lymphocyte count, Eosinophil count, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio, CRP, D-dimer, Ferritin levels. WBC count, Platelet count and ALT did not show significant difference between severe and non severe cases. Lymphopenia, raised N/L ratio, Eosinopenia, increased D-dimer, Ferritin, CRP are associated with severe COVID disease. The routine laboratory tests can diagnose the disease, predict prognosis and complications and monitor treatment response.