Association of Hypophosphatemia with Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: In critical cases, electrolyte disturbances such as hypophosphatemia have been shown to be associated with mortality and in our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between hypophosphatemia, a symptom disorder with COVID-19, and death. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional investigation that encompasses patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently admitted for treatment at our hospital. Based on their serum phosphate levels, the patients were bifurcated into two distinct categories: those with serum phosphate levels below 2.5 mg/dl, classified as hypophosphatemic, and those with levels above this benchmark, categorized as non-hypophosphatemic. The comparisons drawn between these two cohorts were facilitated using a range of statistical methodologies, and the resulting findings were subsequently analyzed and interpreted within this framework. Results: Compared to the hypophosphatemia group, the diagnoses of DM (p<0.001) and CKD (p=0.015) were statistically significantly higher in the group without hypophosphatemia. A statistically significant difference was found between phosphorus groups and mortality and length of stay (p<0.001). In addition, age and length of hospitalization were found to be statistically significantly higher in those who died compared to those who were alive (p<0.001; p=0.002). Conclusions: Hypophosphatemia has been shown to be associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19, as in many studies and in our study, and it may be a biomarker in predicting severe disease.