C-reactive protein and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as predictors of mortality in coronavirus disease 2019

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study investigates whether C-reactive protein, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio could be useful to predict mortality in COVID-19. METHODS: Data of 635 patients with COVID-19 followed up in Sinop Ataturk State Hospital from February to May 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was made according to the interim guidance of the World Health Organization. Patients were grouped into two groups based on mortality as survived and non-survived patients. Age, gender, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein of the groups were investigated and compared. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 55.8±22.3 years. Among the patients, 584 survived and 51 patients died. Age was significantly different between the groups, 54.2±22.3 in the survived group and 75.6±11.1 in the dead group (p=0.000). In addition, neutrophil, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio values were significantly higher in the dead group (p=0.000). platelet-lymphocyte ratio was slightly higher in the dead group, but this difference was not significant (p=0.42). The area under the curve values for age, lymphocyte, platelet, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are 0.797, 0.424, 0.485, 0.778, and 0.729, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein are significantly higher in patients leading to death and could be effective biomarkers in predicting COVID-19 fatality. Furthermore, C-reactive protein could be used as an independent biomarker to predict death in patients with COVID-19, regardless of gender and age (p=0.000).

Estimation of Cranial Capacity in 17-26 Years Old University Students / Estimación de la Capacidad Craneana en Estudiantes Universitarios entre 17 y 26 Años de Edad

It is natural that there is close relationship between cranial capacity, and the size of brain. Several studies have estimated the cranial capacity which indirectly reflects the brain volume. This study was carried out on 366 (226 male and 140 female) healthy university students aged between 17-26 years old at Mugla University, Mugla, Turkey. By using linear dimensions of the head the mean cranial capacity and SD in males and females were 1411.64+118.9 cm³ and 1306.95+162.9 cm³, respectively. There was a significant difference between genders (p<0.05). This investigation was showed the cranial capacity is larger in males than females. We also proposed a regression formula that could be used to predict the cranial capacity.

Es natural que exista una relación entre la capacidad craneana y el tamaño del cerebro. Numerosos estudios realizados, han estimado la capacidad craneana con lo cual han determinado indirectamente el volumen del cerebro. El estudio fue realizado en 366 individuos (226 hombres y 140 mujeres), normales, entre 17-26 de edad, pertenecientes a grupos del Mugía Universidad de Mugía, Turquía. Para la estimación de la capacidad craneana se utilizaron las dimensiones lineales de la cabeza. La media y SD de la capacidad craneana en hombres y mujeres, fue de 1411,64+118,9 cm³ y 1306,95+162,9 cm³, respectivamente. Las diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05). La investigación demostró que la capacidad craneana es mayor en los hombres que en las mujeres. También propusimos una fórmula de regresión que podría ser usada para predecir la capacidad craneana.