Inflammation Patterns in Omicron Variant-Linked COVID-19: Assessing Biomarkers for Predicting Disease Severity (preprint)

ABSTRACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the identification of effective biomarkers to gauge disease severity. C-reactive protein (CRP), D-Dimer, and White Blood Cell counts (WBCs) have emerged as potential indicators of COVID-19 severity and prognosis. This research, conducted at Qalla Hospital, enrolled 112 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 35 healthy controls, employing comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluations that included CRP, D-Dimer, and WBC measurements. The diagnosis of COVID-19 adhered to established clinical criteria and was confirmed through SARS-CoV-2 testing, with stringent assessments to ensure precise participant classification. The results unveiled significantly elevated CRP (p-value=0.0001), D-Dimer (p-value=0.0001), and WBCs in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. Elevated CRP levels, indicative of inflammation, increased D-Dimer levels associated with coagulation abnormalities, and raised WBCs within the CRP level (0.943), indicative of an immune response, were prevalent in COVID-19 patients. Gender distribution was balanced, while comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (25%), hypertension (34.8%), kidney disease (6.2%), and multiple concurrent diseases (34%) were prevalent in the COVID-19 cohort. The discussion underscores the substantial differences in CRP, D-Dimer, and WBCs, emphasizing their potential as valuable biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 severity. These biomarkers could serve as critical tools in evaluating disease progression, predicting complications, and guiding tailored therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, CRP, D-Dimer, and WBCs exhibited marked disparities between healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients, indicating their potential as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Continued investigation into the utility of these biomarkers may refine risk stratification and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in COVID-19 management. A deeper understanding of the clinical implications of CRP, D-Dimer, and WBC levels could profoundly impact disease management and patient care strategies.