Post-COVID-19: Hematological Factors Changes in Patients at Three-- time Intervals

Abstract

Introduction: Hematological parameters are crucial factors in disease severity and chronic condition pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the hematological factors in different severity stages of COVID-19 at different time intervals. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 470 patients (235 men and 235 women) with a confirmed RT-qPCR COVID-19 test exhibiting moderate, severe, and critical symptoms based on WHO criteria. Samples were collected at three-time intervals, including the first: the 1st days of infection, 2nd: the one month after, and 3rd: the three months after disease onset. Total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, RBC counting, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, hsCRP levels, G6PD deficiency, and hemoglobinopathies were determined in all patients. Results: Total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, RBC counting, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, and hsCRP levels were significantly changed with different disease severity (p<0.0001). Also, there were significant differences between different time intervals for WBC and RBC parameters (p<0.0001) except for monocytes and eosinophils. At all time intervals, there are significant changes in levels of hematological and hsCRP based on gender. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between disease severity, age, and BMI (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Significant differences in hematological parameter and inflammatory parameter levels based on disease severity, time intervals, and gender revealed the importance of evaluating these factors in the management of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, in patients during and post-disease times.