Coagulation Disorders in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients and Relationship with Disease Outcome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that COVID-19 patients are subject to significant risks of thromboembolic complications. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate coagulation disorders in COVID-19 patients and determine their relationship with the disease outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 106 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil, Iran. After the preliminary completion of the information forms, 3 cc of intravenous blood sample was taken from each patient to test for INR, PT, CBC, and D-dimer. Then, the patients were monitored, and clinical data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software, version 24. Results: Of 106 COVID-19 patients, 69 were discharged from the hospital, while 37 cases died. The mean age of the patients was 58.99 ± 15.94 years, and 56.6% were males. Significant differences were found between the surviving and deceased patients in D-dimer, LDH, PT, and INR levels (P < 0.05). Based on logistic regression analysis, only D-dimer was a significant predictor of mortality such that each unit increase in the D-dimer level increased the mortality risk by 0.99%. Conclusions: D-dimer has a higher sensitivity than other coagulation markers in terms of intensity. As bleeding is not as common as thrombotic events, anticoagulant therapy is recommended.