A retrospective study of d-dimer level comparison and its prognostic importance in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Patients with covid-19 have an abnormal coagulation function and the association between D-dimer levels and the severity of COVID-19 is unclear. The study aimed to explore the association between the severity of COVID-19, influencing factors, and D-dimer levels in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.In a retrospective study, all patients who are SARS-CoV-2 RNA PCR positive were assessed and detailed vaccine history and laboratory findings were collected. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.Among 80 study participants, 46 (57.5%) were vaccinated with at least one or two doses and 34 (42.5%) were unvaccinated. 19 (23.8%) study participants were dependent on non-invasive ventilation and 43.8% were on mechanical ventilation. The median D dimer level at day 1 was comparatively higher among vaccinated (median =653.00) compared to their counterpart (median =531.50) and it was no statistically significant difference on day 1 among both the groups (p-value =0.422). Similarly, the median dimer level at day 5 was comparatively higher among vaccinated (median =944.50) compared to non-vaccinated. (median =934.00) and p value =0.422. The study reveals that 7(36.8%) of the vaccinated participants were on non-invasive ventilation and 12(63.2%) non-vaccinated individuals were on non-invasive ventilation and the association was found to be statistically significant (p-value =0.037). The severity of COVID-19 is higher among non-vaccinated (53.8%) than vaccinated (46.2%).D-dimer levels were raised in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The vaccinated group was at less risk for complications and less need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Though higher levels of D- dimer were recorded on day 1 and day 5 in vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated statistically it was not significant. We conclude D-dimer levels cannot be utilized as biomarkers for the severity of the disease in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.