Mild versus severe COVID-19: Laboratory markers

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ABSTRACT

The number of COVID-19 patients is increasing dramatically around the world.

Treatment in intensive care units (ICU) has become a great challenge; Therefore, early recognition of severe forms is absolutely essential for timely triage of patients. While the clinical status, particularly peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels, and concurrent comorbidities of COVID-19 patients largely determine the need for their admission to ICUs, several laboratory parameters can facilitate evaluation. of the severity of the disease.

Clinicians should consider a low lymphocyte count, as well as serum levels of CRP, D-dimer, ferritin, cardiac troponin, and IL-6, which can be used in risk stratification to predict severe and fatal COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. The course of the disease is more likely to be unfavorable if some or all of these parameters are altered.