Is endogenous carboxyhemoglobin level a useful biomarker of clinical
course and prognosis in COVID-19 patients?
Abstract
Objective: SARS-CoV-2 has caused nearly 4 million confirmed cases of
COVID-19 worldwide in the approximately 4 months since it emerged in
Wuhan, China in December 2019. Comorbidities increase morbidity and
mortality in COVID-19, and many laboratory parameters have been
associated with mortality. The aim of the present study was to identify
the relationship between endogenous carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level and
the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19. Methods: The study
included 48 non-smokers or ex-smokers aged 18 years or older who
presented to the emergency department, were diagnosed with COVID-19 by
real-time PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swab sample, and were treated
in the pulmonary diseases ward of the Atatürk University hospital after
between March 24, 2020 and April 15, 2020. The patients’ laboratory
parameters and demographic data were analyzed retrospectively. Results:
Prothrombin time and C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin-I, and D-dimer
levels decreased in COVID-19 patients during follow-up (p=0.024,
p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001), while PaO2/FiO2 ratio and COHb increased
(p=0.002, p=0.001). COHb level at admission was significantly lower in
patients who developed macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and those who died compared to the
other patients (p=0.002, p=0.001). COHb level on day 5 of treatment was
significantly higher in patients with ARDS and patients who died
(p=0.001, p=0.001).Significant correlations were detected between COHb
level and CRP (r=-0.425, p=0.001), ferritin (r=-0.395, p=0.001) and
PaO2/FiO2 ratio (r=0.431, p=0.001). Conclusions: COHb level may be an
easily accessible biomarker that guides early follow-up and treatment
planning to avoid ARDS, MAS, and mortality in COVID-19.