Do CRP levels predict severity in COVID-19 hospitalized Egyptian patients?

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading virus with a wide range of clinical manifestations. To manage treatment programs and promptly assess patient severity, prognostic factors must be identified early. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was a link between the severity of COVID-19 and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level on admission. Methods: On admission clinical and laboratory data from 323 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were gathered from an Isolation Hospital records from April 10, 2020 to July 30, 2020. CRP was determined in all participants using an automated analyzer and a commercially available latex-enhanced immuno-turbidimetric assay. Results: The most prevalent presenting symptom was fever (39.3%), followed by cough (38.4%). Coronavirus disease 2019 severity and ICU admission were both predicted by high CRP levels (p <0.001). Conclusion: Serum CRP is a simple and effective prognosticator for early prediction of COVID-19 severity.

Keywords

• covid-19
• crp
• hospital admission
• icu
• severity