Utility of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters as a Screening Tool for Assessing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and its Severity.

Background: The rapidly evolving pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented with clinical severity, which varies from asymptomatic cases to being fatal in others. The need of the hour is to find meaningful and cost-effective COVID-19 biomarkers out of conventional hematological and biochemical parameters, which will help in the early identification of patients with a poor prognosis, leading to timely intervention.

Aim: The aim was to analyze different biochemical and hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients and also to study the association of these parameters with disease severity.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 100 COVID-19 patients from a hospital from July to October 2020. Based on saturation of oxygen (SpO₂), admitted patients were grouped into mild-moderate (SpO₂ ≥90%) and severe groups (SpO₂ <90%). Hematological and biochemical parameters were studied in both groups, and association with disease severity was analyzed.

Results: Out of 100 patients, 57 patients were seen in the mild-moderate group (SpO₂ ≥90%), while 43 patients (SpO₂ <90%) belonged to the severe category. Males were predominant in both mild-moderate and severe groups. Among the hematological parameters, statistically significant higher values of absolute neutrophil count (P = 0.046) and significantly lower absolute lymphocyte count (P = 0.003) values were observed. With regard to biochemical parameters, increased urea and decreased total protein were found in the severe category and this association was statistically significant.

Conclusion: To conclude, early identification and monitoring of hematological and biochemical parameters, especially those associated with higher disease severity, may contribute toward improving disease outcomes.