Introduction:

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 virus predominantly affects the lungs but has also been observed to cause systemic infection involving the hematopoietic system and coagulation. Despite significant advances in understanding the virus, it persists actively, making it practically important to identify biological parameters that can alert us to a potential unfavorable progression.

Methods:

Descriptive, prospective, non-interventional study of hematological and inflammatory alterations in patients admitted for COVID-19 at Hospital Británico, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Results:

Two hundred and nine patients were included, 126 (60%) of whom were men, with a median age of 59 years (24-98). Forty-two patients (20.1%) required care in the Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU), with a median age of 65 years (36-87). LDH values > 250 U/L were associated with higher AICU admission (p=0.001), as well as ferritin > 1000 ng/ml and CRP > 60 mg/L (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). Of the patients admitted to AICU, 28.57% died. Additionally, 76.19% of AICU patients presented with lymphopenia (< 1000), (p=0.005). A high Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) was linked to a higher probability of death (OR=1.041, CI 1.008-1.075, p=0.015). The comorbidity with the highest lethality was High blood pressure (HBP) (OR=3.637, CI 95% 1.358-9.739, p=0.010).

Conclusion:

Age > 65 years, lymphopenia < 1000, and elevated inflammatory markers were associated with higher AICU admission. HBP, D-dimer > 1000 mcg/L, LDH > 250 U/L, and CRP > 60 mg/L were associated with higher overall mortality in patients with COVID-19.

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