Assessing the Relationship Between D-dimer and IL-6 Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly COVID-19 Patients

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer and their association with morbidity and mortality in elderly coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients and to assess their clinical outcomes. Materials & Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted on elderly COVID-19 patients (≥60 years) diagnosed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or radiological tests in a South Indian tertiary care hospital. Data encompassed demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, IL-6 and D-dimer levels, oxygen (O2) requirement, duration of hospital stay, and outcomes. Statistical analysis involved Chi-square test. A p-value of < .05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Among 1448 screened patients, 1380 patients with a mean age of 68.85±6.985 years were included in this study, of whom 61.67% were male. The mortality rate was 12.1% in males and 11% in females. Fever, cough, hypertension, and diabetes were common in most of the patients. The mean D-dimer and IL-6 levels were 2.687±5.189 mg/L fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) and 95.72±335.62 pg/mL, respectively. Elevated D-dimer (71%) and IL-6 (87.7%) levels were significantly associated with oxygen requirement, morbidity, and mortality (p= .000). Sub-group analysis revealed a significant association between D-dimer and IL-6 levels and O2 requirement and mortality in diabetic and hypertensive patients (p= .000). Conclusion: Serum IL-6 and D-dimer levels are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality in elderly COVID-19 patients. Elevated levels of these biomarkers also influence O2 requirement and mortality in patients with comorbidities, suggesting their potential use in risk stratification and management strategies for this vulnerable population.

کلیدواژه های Assessing the Relationship Between D-dimer and IL-6 Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly COVID-19 Patients:

COVID-19 ، D-dimer ، geriatric ، Interleukin-6 ، Mortality