Can Hemogram Parameters Be Used to Predict the Prognosis in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients?

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has caused a serious pandemic. Thus, it is important to evaluate patients with data obtained at the first admission. Patients with severe disease should be recognized among patients admitted to the hospital symptomatically. This study aimed to examine the role of admission hemogram parameters in predicting prognosis in patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We enrolled all patients diagnosed with confirmed or probable COVID-19 retrospectively. Age, sex, smoking history, chronic disease, hemogram parameters [i.e., leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR)], D-dimer, ferritin, albumin, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase were recorded. The relationship between hemogram parameters and poor prognosis was evaluated. The need for pulse-steroid therapy, transfer to the intensive care unit, and mortality indicated a poor prognosis. Results: The median age of the 156 patients enrolled in the study was 63 (24-94) years. Significant correlations were found in the univariate analysis between leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, NLR, PLR, LMR, and poor prognosis (p=0.013, p=0.004, p=0.000, p=0.036, p=0.000, p=0.010, and p=0.025, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, significant correlations were found between leukocytes, NLR, and poor prognosis (p=0.04 and p=0.001, respectively). The cut-off value of the COVID-hemogram score was three points, with 87% sensitivity and 62% specificity. The scoring system determined the risk for a poor prognosis in patients. The median score was 7 (5-8) in those with a poor prognosis and 2 (0-6) in those who did not have a poor prognosis (p<0.001). Conclusion: Admission hemogram parameters can be used to predict a poor prognosis in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The use of the COVID-hemogram score in the first admission will guide physicians in making treatment decisions.