Comparison of Biochemical Parameters in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 Individuals in Gandaki Province, Nepal

Author(s): Anusha Thapa, Raksha Malla, Rebika Koirala, Sanjeeb Shrestha, Nischal Chimal, Sundar Adhikari, Amar Nagila

Introduction: The corona virus disease causes various organ dysfunctions which brings about changes in pathophysiology including biochemical shifts. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze different change in biochemical parameters in COVID-19 patients.

Material and Methods: It is a case control study. Venous blood (5 ml) was collected from a total of 157 samples; 57 of COVID-19 patients and 100 non-COVID-19 individuals as control, allowed to clot at room temperature, and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 15 minutes. Serum was separated and AST, ALT, CK-MB, γ-GT, LDH and Albumin were analyzed using semi-automated analyzer, TFT was analyzed using CLIA, D-dimer by immunofluorescence and PT/INR by coagulation method. SPSS version 20.00 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Clinical spectrum among the COVID-19 patients varied from being asymptomatic to having symptoms like cough (60%), fever (68%), headache (29.8%), dyspnea (24.5%) with comorbidities, (19%) diabetes mellitus, liver disease and (5%) thyroid disorders. The level of SGOT (p=0.0001), SGPT (p=0.0001), γ-GT (p=0.05), CK-MB (p=0.01), D-dimer (p=0.01), PT/INR (p=0.0001) levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients. There were significantly higher mean values of SGOT, SGPT, LDH, PT/INR and D-dimer (72.59±44.55, 71.71±41.71, 520.88±142.75, 1.27±0.413 and 1219.3±919.18) in severe COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion: In this study, we concluded that the level of D-dimer, SGOT, SGPT, γ-GT, CK-MB and LDH can be used to assess the severity of COVID-19 cases. In COVID-19 patients, we recommend close monitoring on D-dimer, LDH, SGOT and SGPT as a clinical indicator for potential progression to critical illness.