Some Features of Laboratory Parameters in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 with Underlying Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The data of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic studies indicate a pronounced influence of overweight and obesity on the course of the new coronavirus infection and the risk of lethal complications. In this regard, of particular interest are the changes in the parameters of the main routine diagnostic complex identified in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection having excess body weight and obesity, and also the search for pathophysiological relationships between these changes and the excess body weight. AIM: To evaluate the changes in the parameters of systemic inflammation and coagulogram, as well as of the peripheral blood leukocyte count in patients with COVID-19 with excess body weight and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 73 patients with PCR-positive result for SARS-CoV-2 in the age group of 44–65 years old admitted to the infectious diseases department of Semashko Republican Clinical Hospital were examined. The patients were divided into 3 clinical groups depending on body mass index (BMI): Group 1 — patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2, Group 2 — patients with excessive body weight, and Group 3 — patients with 1st degree obesity. On admission to the hospital, the patients underwent the general blood analysis, analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ferritin, coagulogram parameters, as well as a computer tomography (CT) of the chest organs. RESULTS: All the patients with new coronavirus infection had significantly higher parameters of systemic inflammation (CRP and ferritin) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The group of patients with 1st degree obesity recorded the highest absolute numbers of band and segmented neutrophils, ferritin, and D-dimer (р1–3 < 0.05; р2–3 < 0.05). The levels of ESR, CRP, and fibrinogen were significantly higher in the overweight and obese groups, but no significant differences between groups 2 and 3 were found in the intergroup comparisons (р1–2 < 0.05; р1–3 < 0.05; р2–3 > 0.05). The values of activated partial tromboplastin time and thrombin time did not differ significantly between the clinical groups (p > 0.05). It is also worth noting that the percentage of pulmonary tissue lesions according to CT data varied significantly depending on BMI, with the highest rate in the group of patients with 1st degree obesity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients with COVID-19 have higher level of inflammation and a high risk of thromboembolic complications, which requires more careful monitoring of this category of patients during the course of the disease and in the post-COVID period.