Abstract
Background and objective:Anaemia commonly aggravates the severity of respiratory diseases, whereas thus far, no study has elucidated the impact of anaemiaonCorona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with anaemia, and to further explore the relationship between anaemiaand the severity of COVID-19.METHODS:In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, a total of 222 patients were recruited, including 79 patients with anaemia and 143 patients without anaemia. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, disease progression and prognosis were collected and analyzed. Risk factors associated with the severe illness in COVID-19were established by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.Result:In our cohort, compared to patients without anaemia, patients with anaemia were more likely to experience one or more comorbidities and severe COVID-19 illness, as well as higher mortality. More patients demonstrated elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin(PCT) and creatinine in anaemia group. Levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), D-dimer, myoglobin, T-pro brain natriuretic peptide(T-pro-BNP) and urea nitrogen(BUN)in patients with anaemia were significantly higher than those without. In addition,the proportion of patients with dyspnoea,elevated CRP and PCT was positively associated with the severity of anaemia. The Odd Ratio (OR) of anaemia related to the severe condition of COVID-19 was 5.07 (95% CI:1.82-14.18, P=0.002) and 3.47 (95% CI:1.02-11.75, P=0.046) after adjustment for baseline date and laboratory indices, respectively.Conclusion:Anaemia is an independent risk factor associated with the severe illness of COVID-19, and healthcare professionals should be more sensitive to the haemoglobin levels of COVID-19 patients on admission. To avoid rapid deterioration, more intensive care should be given to patients with anaemia.Trial registration: Ethics committee of Wuhan University People's Hospital (wdry2020-k064)