Biochemical and Clinical profile of COVID-19 patients and its association with severity of the disease: A study at tertiary care centre

: The Novel Corona Virus pandemic caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The biochemical parameters in affected individuals can differentiate between moderate and severe COVID-19 infection. Early identification will facilitate appropriate care and reduce the mortality. : In the present study, we are exploring the possibility of association of the data of biochemical investigations done at the time of admission with COVID-19 severity in patients, as timely modulation in medical management could reduce the mortality and shorten hospital stay. : A cross sectional study including 452RT-PCR positive, moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care centre, New Delhi were enrolled in the study, in the months of June to October 2020.Biochemical profile of moderate and severe COVID 19 patients was evaluated on admission and correlated with severity of the disease. Out of 452 patients, 331 patients had moderate disease while 121 had severe disease. Total bilirubin in moderate disease was 0.6mg/dl(0.4-0.9) and 0.6mg/dl(0.4-0.8) in severe disease (p=0.780). AST was 46U/L(31-73.75) and 45 U/L(30-76) in moderate and severe disease respectively (p=0.544), while ALT was 42U/L(25-78.25) and 42U/L(26-72)(p=0.936) respectively in moderate and severe disease. The ALP was 111U/L(86.5-165.5) and 106U/L(77-157) in moderate and severe disease respectively (p=0.828). The serum urea in moderate COVID-19 patients was 32mg/dl(22-61) while 42mg/dl(22-94) in severe disease (p=0.016). The serum creatinine in moderate disease was 0.7mg/dl(0.6-1.1) while 0.8mg/dl(0.6-1.8)(p=0.143) in severe disease. The median (IQR) serum HsCRP in moderate disease was 103.2mg/L(9.7-202) and in severe disease it was 103.76mg/L(19.53-181.26)(p=0.132). The median (IQR) LDH level in moderate COVID-19 patients was 245U/L(137.25-372.25) while in severe disease it was 385U/L(278-598)(p<0.001). : The serum biomarkers Urea and inflammatory marker LDH could serve as potential biomarkers to differentiate between moderate and severe COVID-19 patients.