Assessment of COVID-19 Cases by Haematological and Biochemical Markers: A Tertiary Care Hospital Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: On 8 March 2020 the first COVID-19 case was detected in Bangladesh. Day by day this disease is changing its own nature and dimension. So, it is very difficult to define the exact risk factors associated with such ferocious diseases. In this situation, haematological and biochemical analysis of COVID-19 patients may play an important role in the current and future planning of COVID treatment. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the COVID-19 status of Covid patients by haematological and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among 350 participants who attended the Bashundhara Ad-Din Medical College Hospital, Hasnabad, South Keranigonj, Dhaka, Bangladesh after confirmation by RT-PCR. Using 5 ml fasting venous blood samples different haematological and biochemical biomarkers were analyzed. These were analyzed in auto analysis using a standard protocol as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, results were analyzed using standard statistical calculation by% positivity, confidence interval, p values where p≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: In this study, in critical participant group, the mean (±SD) HBC, RBC, TLC, PCV, NLR, Platelet Counts, SGOT and SGPT were found 11.56±2.07, 3.64±2.82, 12372±2920, 29.17±7.84, 2.8±0.32, 98743±32127, 67.91±31.54 and 71.39±33.74 respectively. On the other hand, in non-critical patient group those reading were found 12.78±2.17, 4.02±2.90, 10956±2744, 35.03±8.22, 2.7±0.28, 129544±51228, 65.68±27.96 and 67.55±26.57 respectively. In analyzing the haematological and biochemical parameters among participants we found ‘extremely significant correlations’ between critical and non-critical groups in HBC, TLC, PCV, Platelet Counts, S. Creatinine and D-Dimer test results where p values were <0.0001. On the other hand, we found only ‘significant correlation’ between critical and non-critical groups in NLR, CRP, Serum Ferritin and LDH test results where the p values were <0.05. The average age of the total participants was 47.27±14.66 years. In the critical group, it was 54.19±15.23 and in the non-critical group, it was 43.03±13.68 years. So, the mean age of critical patients was higher than that of non-critical patients. Conclusion: Haematological and biochemical markers may be considered as the most potential parameters in assessing the severity of COVID-19 infection. But, advanced training required for laboratory personnel’s who are responsible for collecting, transporting and handling biological samples and carrying out the various laboratory tests for patients with COVID-19 is recommended.