Significance of laboratory biomarkers in monitoring patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Clinical and laboratory parameters are useful tools to improve success rates in the management of COVID-19 patients. Indices such as NLR, PLR, MHR, SII, AIP and CAR may indicate poor prognosis in predicting poor prognosis in COVID-19. It was aimed to identify such parameters of disease progression in COVID-19 patients by examining demographic data, comorbid conditions, some biochemical and hematological parameters. A retrospective analysis was performed for patients admitted to intensive care unit or pulmonary diseases department or treated on an outpatient basis due to a diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients with positive PCR test and thoracic CT compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. A control group was formed from volunteers of similar age and gender. The study population was divided into four groups as follows: patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU group); patients admitted to chest diseases department (Inpatient Group); patients treated on an outpatient basis (Outpatient Group); and controls (Control Group). There were 61, 201, and 30 patients in the ICU, inpatient, and outpatient groups, respectively. A total of 96 subjects served as controls. Study groups were comparable with respect to gender distribution. ICU patients had higher NLR, PLR, AIP, SII, and CAR, and lower LMR as compared to other groups. NLR, SII, AIP, and CAR emerged as predictors of ICU admission, while MHR was predictive of inpatient treatment. Certain clinical and laboratory parameters may be useful tools for improving the success of COVID-19 management. High NLR, SII, AIP, CAR, and MHR values may indicate low prognosis in COVID-19 patients.