C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND NEUTROPHIL-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AS PREDICTORS OF CLINICAL SEVERITY OF COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can manifest quite differently. In this study we examined the relationship between the value of serum CRP(C-reactive protein) andneutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as predictor factors for the development of a severe clinical manifestation in COVID19 patients. Materials and methods: We followed 95 COVID-19 positive patients who were hospitalized at the University Clinic for Eye Diseases - COVID Center. We analyzed the initial laboratory parameters of white blood cells and CRP on admission of the patients and the results of laboratory analyses performed before they left the Clinic, or the last parameters before the lethal outcome in those patients who died. Several models of logistic regression were tested to analyze the predictive value of these markers of inflammation for lethal outcome in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Results: Bivariate analysis demonstrated that the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients with lethal outcome (p=0.001). The NLR was significantly higher in patients with lethal outcome at both times (p=0.005; and p=0.017). Leukocyte’s count (p=0.046, and p<0.001) and CRP (p=0.013,and p=0.005) were also significantly higher in patients with lethal outcome at both times. The increase on the NLR scale both at hospitalization and at discharge (or the last analysis before death) leads to increase in the odds of lethal outcome (T1:40.4% increased odds; T2:36% increased odds). Conclusion: CRP and NLR are laboratory parameters that can predict the severity of the clinical manifestation in patients with COVID-19.