Predictive role of erythrocytes in assessment of COVID-19 outcomes

Abstract

Introduction. The search for affordable and accurate predictors of the outcome of COVID-19 is extremely important, as it provides the possibility to effectively correct the patient treatment tactics. Aim of the study. To develop simple and accurate criteria based on the dynamics of red blood counts that predict the outcome of COVID-19. Materials and methods. Observations were carried out in 125 patients with severe and extremely severe COVID-19, in whom indicators characterizing the state of red blood were determined in dynamics on days 1, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 after the hospitalization. ROC analysis was performed to calculate the threshold predictive values for survival and mortality. Results. The total number of erythrocytes and the level of hemoglobin in severe and extremely severe patients did not go beyond the acceptable limits, although showed a tendency to decrease in the group of fatal cases. On the 1st and 21st days, the number of MacroR in the deceased patients was reduced compared to those in group of survivors. It has been established that the RDW-CV test can predict the outcome of the COVID-19 with a high degree of probability at a relatively early stage of disease. RDW-SD test can be an additional predictive criterion of COVID-19 outcome. Conclusion. The RDW-CV test can be used as an effective predictor of disease outcome in patients with severe COVID-19.