Evaluation of some Hematological and Inflammatory Factors in Iraqi Patients Suffering from COVID-19 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

COVID-19 is a newly recognized sickness spreading rapidly worldwide and causing many consequences and deaths. Diabetes Mellitus(DM) is suggested as a risk factor that contributes to the severity and mortality of COVID-19. The present study investigates the levels of Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and ferritin, in COVID-19 patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and those without T2DM. 80 participants enrolled in this study, distributed into 4 groups; Group 1 (G1) included 20 patients with COVID-19 and T2DM; Group 2 (G2) comprised of 20 patients with COVID-19; Group 3(G3) included T2DM patients. In addition, 20 individuals were taken as a healthy control group. The patient samples were obtained from Ibn-AlKhateeb Hospital /Baghdad in the period between February to April 2022. A hematology automated device was utilized to count lymphocytes and neutrophils, while a biochemical automated device was employed to measure D-dimer, CRP, and ferritin. Regarding the blood immune cells, there was a significant decrease in lymphocyte counts and a significant increase in neutrophil counts in G1 and G2 groups compared to the healthy control group. The serum levels of the studying markers(CRP, D-dimer, and ferritin )were increased in the G1, G2, and G3 compared to the control group. Furthermore, patients in the G1 group had higher levels of these markers than in other groups, which are considered prognostic markers for COVID-19 infection.