The Association of C-Reactive Protein and Ferritin Levels with the Severity of COVID-19 in Ajman, UAE

Abstract

Background: SARS-Cov-2, a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan city, China, has spread worldwide, causing severe illnesses and a high mortality rate. Many studies have shown the association of elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers, such as ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP), with the severe course of coronavirus disease The aim of this research was to investigate the association between CRP and ferritin levels, and the severity of COVID-19. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study was performed in Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, from January 2021 to October 2021. A total of 100 COVID-19 positive patients were included in this study. Serum CRP and ferritin were measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. We found statistically significant differences between ferritin levels and disease severity (P=0.005), age category (P=0.030), and the clinical wards (P=0.016). Statistically significant differences were found between the ferritin levels in mild to moderate cases (P=0.023) and mild to severe cases (P=0.007). There were significant differences in CRP in mild to moderate cases (P=0.012), and in mild to severe cases (P=0.000). Thus, the results obtained showed that CRP and ferritin levels are considerably greater in severe cases than in mild and moderate cases of COVID-19. The findings of the current study indicate that CRP and serum ferritin levels might be considered as an essential indication of the progression and severity of COVID-19.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• c-reactive protein
• ferritin