Dynamic d dimer as a prognostic indicator in covid 19

ABSTRACT

Aims & Objectives: AIM: To assess the utility of dynamic D-dimer as a prognostic marker in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. OBJECTIVE: (1) To correlate the initial D-dimer value with hospital stay and outcome of the patient. (2) To correlate the peak D-dimer value with hospital stay and outcome of the patient. (3) To correlate the initial D-dimer value with CT-chest score of the patient. Patients/Materials & Methods: MATERIAL & METHODS: (1) The serial D-dimer values of patients admitted with RT-PCR positive for Covid-19 were retrieved. (2) The age, sex and number of days of hospital stay and the outcome of the patient were observed from hospital information system. (3) The age and sex of the patient were collected from hospital database. (4) Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were done with R base version 3.4.2 for MAC (R Core T 2017) a p value of<0.5 is considered significant . Results: (1) Total no of patients121. (2) The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 80 Years. (3) Mean ± SD age is 56.5 ± 17.7 years. (4) Sex Male 89(73.6%) Female 32 (26.4). (5) Male female ratio -2.81. (6) The patients stayed in the hospital for a minimum of 1 day to 1 month. (7) The outcome of patients were good. (8) There was no correlation between the initial D-dimer value and duration of hospital stay inspite of elevated initial D dimer was noticed in patients who stayed long (Spearman's rho = 0.13). (9) Also the peak D-dimer value was also not significant with duration of hospital stay. (10) (Spearman's rho = 0.28). (11) T D dimer value couldn't be correlated with adverse outcome since the numbers were less. (12) There was no correlation between initial D-dimer value and CT chest score (CORADS Score). (13) Spearman's rho = 0.21. Discussion & Conclusion: Males are more commonly affected than females. Though statistically insignificant, the elevated initial D dimer value is associated with prolonged hospital stay in patients with Covid 19 infection.