Roles of certain biochemical and hematological parameters in predicting mortality and ICU admission in COVID-19 patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the roles of certain hematological and biochemical parameters in predicting mortality and intensive care unit admission in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We analyzed the complete blood count and biochemical parameters of 186 COVID-19 patients by using the polymerase chain reaction test. Whether these parameters can be used to predict intensive care unit admission and mortality in the COVID-19 patients was investigated. RESULTS: The complete blood count and biochemical parameters of COVID-19 patients and in those admitted to intensive care unit were compared. The red cell distribution width, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, prothrombin time, and creatinine levels were found to be the most significant parameters. We found that these parameters are significant for predicting not only intensive care unit admission, but also the mortality of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that the most effective parameters to predict intensive care unit admission and mortality in COVID-19 patients are ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, red cell distribution width, creatinine, and intensive care unit. Close monitoring of these parameters and early intervention in alterations are of vital importance.

Adhesion molecules before and after propylthiouracil in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of propylthiouracil treatment on adhesion molecules in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. METHODS In this study, a total of 168 patients diagnosed with subclinical hyperthyroidism were treated with propylthiouracil for one year. The levels of adhesion molecules, consisting of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-Selectin, before and after the treatment were measured and compared. These results were compared with the levels of 148 healthy controls who received a placebo. RESULTS sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in subclinical hyperthyroidism patients than in healthy controls (*pa=0.000). sICAM-1 levels were significantly decreased after the treatment (**pb=0.000). Despite this decrease in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, it did not decrease to the level of the control group. sVCAM-1 did not change before and after propylthiouracil treatment. The level of sE-selectin was similar to that of the pretreatment control group, but it did not have statistical significance, although it increased after the treatment (**pb=0.004). CONCLUSION The sICAM level was significantly higher than the pretreatment values and decreased after the propylthiouracil treatment. However, further studies are needed to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cancer in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

RESUMO ANTECEDENTES O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito do tratamento com propiltiouracil nas moléculas de adesão em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico. MÉTODOS Neste estudo, 168 pacientes diagnosticados com hipertireoidismo subclínico foram tratados com propiltiouracil por um ano. Os níveis de moléculas de adesão, especificamente sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 e sE-Selectina, antes e após o tratamento foram medidos e comparados. Esses resultados foram comparados com os níveis de 148 indivíduos saudáveis no grupo de controle que receberam um placebo. RESULTADOS Os níveis de sICAM-1 foram significativamente maiores em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico do que nos controles saudáveis (*pa=0,000). Os níveis de sICAM-1 diminuíram significativamente após o tratamento (**pb=0,000). Apesar dessa diminuição em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico, ela não diminuiu para o nível do grupo controle. O sVCAM-1 não se alterou antes e após o tratamento com propiltiouracil. O nível de sE-Selectina foi semelhante ao do grupo de controle pré-tratamento, mas não apresentou significância estatística, embora tenha aumentado após o tratamento (** pb = 0,004). CONCLUSÃO O nível de sICAM foi significativamente superior aos valores pré-tratamento e diminuiu após o tratamento com propilciliouracil. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para reduzir o risco de aterosclerose e câncer em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico.

Serum Annexin V and Anti-Annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes

SUMMARY BACKGROUND We investigated the serum annexin V and anti-annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic. METHODS A total of 143 patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 133 control subjects were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, carotid intima-media thickness, and serum levels of annexin V and anti-annexin V were investigated. RESULTS HOMA-IR, serum hs-CRP, and carotid intima-media thickness were found to be statistically significant. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the carotid intima-media thickness and the annexin V level (r=0.29, p=0.006*). A statistically significant positive relationship was also detected between the Annexin V level and level of serum hs-CRP (r=0.29 p=0.006*). CONCLUSION A positive relationship was observed between the carotid intima-media thickness and annexin V at the end of our investigation. In this regard, we also believe that serum levels of annexin V may be increased for cardiovascular protection in the elevation of carotid intima-media thickness.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar os níveis séricos de anexina V e antianexina V e sua relação com os parâmetros metabólicos em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 recém-diagnosticados. MÉTODOS Foram incluídos no estudo 143 pacientes e 133 controles com diabetes tipo 2 recém-diagnosticado. O índice de massa corporal (IMC), PCR-as, Homa-IR, espessura íntima média carotídea e níveis séricos de anexina V e antianexina V foram investigados. RESULTADOS O Homa-IR, a PCR-s do soro e a espessura média da carótida foram estatisticamente significantes. A análise de correlação de Pearson revelou uma relação positiva estatisticamente significante entre a espessura média da carótida e anexina V (r=0,29; p=0,006 *). Foi também detectada uma relação positiva estatisticamente significativa entre o nível de anexina V e o nível sérico de PCR-as (r=0,29, p=0,006*). CONCLUSÃO Também foi observada uma relação positiva entre a espessura média da carótida e anexina V no final da nossa investigação. A esse respeito, também pensamos que os níveis séricos de anexina V podem ser aumentados para proteção cardiovascular na elevação da espessura média da carótida.