Retrospective Analysis of Haematological Abnormalities in Older Diabetic Patients with COVID-19

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.najm.1.1.3

Keywords:

Geriatric Medicine; Public Health; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factor; SARS-CoV-2; Symptomatic Infection; Thrombocytopenia; Viral Load

Abstract

Background: Understanding the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in elderly diabetic patients is crucial, considering the impact of age, comorbidities, and clinical biomarkers. However, the assessment of common haematological markers in this specific population remains limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 27 elderly patients (mean age: 61.81±7.14 years) with COVID-19 infection. We analysed the medical e-records of COVID-19 positive patients who presented to a COVID-19 centre in Qatar in July 2020. Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to confirm COVID-19 infection using throat-swab upper respiratory samples. Clinical haematological parameters were analysed and compared with normal ranges.

Results: Among the 27 patients investigated, 51.85% were male. A low viral load (cycle threshold (Ct) ≥ 30) was observed in 7.4% of patients, while 92.59% had a high viral load (Ct < 30). At presentation, 59.25% of patients were symptomatic. The observed haematological abnormalities ranked in descending order of frequency were as follows: high red blood cell counts, and high mean platelet volume (52% each), high platelet distribution width (48%), low haemoglobin values, and low haematocrit values (22% each), leukopenia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia (15% each), thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis, and neutrophilia (7% each), and lymphocytosis (4%).

Conclusion: Our study highlights the common occurrence of haematological abnormalities in older diabetic patients with COVID-19 infection. Monitoring haematological parameters may be valuable in managing these patients, especially in severe cases, and could facilitate early identification of individuals requiring intensive care, potentially reducing mortality.

Graphical Abstract

Additional Files

Published

2023-08-03

How to Cite

Rawi, O., Zidan, M., & Al Naama, A. (2023). Retrospective Analysis of Haematological Abnormalities in Older Diabetic Patients with COVID-19. New Asian Journal of Medicine, 1(1), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.najm.1.1.3

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