Distinct laboratory parameters as strict prognostic values in the setting of COVID-19 severity

 To the best of our knowledge, a new emerging viral infection induced by SARS-CoV-2 was named COVID-19 with high morbidity and mortality on a global scale. To date, COVID-19 is implied as a respiratory disease with varied manifestations from asymptomatic to long-standing complications. In this regard, discerning a potential prognostic value of critical outcomes in the early stages would be more appreciable to stratify the risk of disease severity and 28-day mortality. In this clinical study, we aimed to evaluate distinct laboratory biomarkers, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as reliable indicators to predict disease severity in COVID-19 patients admitted in a medical referral center.

 Following the COVID-19 diagnosis, all consecutive patients (n=685) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included since September 2020 for one year. Data were collected using electronic medical records.

 Based on obtained results, NLR and serum level of LDH showed a positive correlation with length of hospital stay. Moreover, the mortality rate and MV required in patients with either positive CRP or the high levels of LDH were remarkably greater than that of the non-severe group (P=0.01). Finally, we could not find significant differences between female and male patients regarding the evaluated parameters.

 Our findings highlighted those high values of NLR, CRP, and LDH can be considered valuable clinical prognostic aids for risk stratification, identification of disease severity, and triage of patients at the time of admission.