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. 2021 Mar-Apr;15(2):535-541.
doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.02.020. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

A systematic review of clinical and laboratory parameters associated with increased severity among COVID-19 patients

Asmita A Mehta  1 , Nithya Haridas  2 , Preeti Belgundi  3 , Wesley M Jose  4
Affiliations

A systematic review of clinical and laboratory parameters associated with increased severity among COVID-19 patients

Asmita A Mehta et al. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Background and aims: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an extremely difficult pandemic to contain and it has affected more than 148 countries worldwide. The main aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive summary of clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with and indicative of increased severity among COVID-19 patients.

Material and methods: All the available data from high-quality research articles relevant to the epidemiology, demographics, trends in hospitalization and outcomes, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment methods of COVID-19 were retrieved and evaluated for inclusion.

Results: As per our review, the mean age of patients in the severe group was 59.3 years compared to 46.5 years in non severe group. COVID-19 was more severe among men than women. Clinical presentation was variable among different studies. and dyspnea was the factor indicating severe disease. Laboratory parameters associated with increased severity were lymphopenia <0.8 × 109/L, thrombocytopenia 100 × 109/L, leucocytosis TC > 11 × 109/L, procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL, d dimer >2 mcg/mL, aspartate transaminase elevation >150U/L, LDH >250U/L.

Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that COVID-19 is a disease with varied clinical presentation and laboratory parameters. The commonest clinical symptoms were fever, cough and dyspnea. The laboratory parameters associated with severe disease were lymphopenia, elevated LDH, D dimer and Procalcitonin.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical symptoms; Laboratory parameters; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
showing flow diagram of number of studies screened and included in the meta analysis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
showing distribution of age among severe and non severe COVID-19 patients.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
showing distribution of gender among severe and non severe COVID-19 patients.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
showing co morbidities in severe and non severe COVID-19 patients.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
showing need of ICU care among severe and non severe COVID-19 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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