DefinePK

Research Objective

To correlate the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) with Computed Tomography Severity Score (CT-SS) in COVID-19 patients.

Methodology

Cross-sectional analytical study involving 83 COVID-19 patients. Patients were grouped into mild (CT-SS 1-19) and severe (CT-SS 20-40) disease based on HRCT severity scores. Blood samples were analyzed for NLR and PLR. Spearman's correlation was used to correlate NLR and PLR with CT-SS. Mann Whitney test was used to compare NLR and PLR between mild and severe disease groups.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Recruit 83 COVID-19 Patients"] --> B["Categorize into Mild"CT-SS 1-19" and Severe"CT-SS 20-40" Disease"];
    B --> C["Collect Blood Samples"];
    C --> D["Calculate NLR and PLR"];
    D --> E["Analyze Data using SPSS"];
    E --> F["Correlate NLR/PLR with CT-SS"Spearman's""];
    F --> G["Compare NLR/PLR between groups"Mann Whitney""];
    G --> H["Draw Conclusions"];                    

Discussion

The study suggests that elevated NLR and PLR ratios are associated with higher HRCT severity scores in COVID-19 patients, indicating a greater inflammatory response. These markers could potentially serve as prognostic indicators, especially in resource-limited settings where HRCT may not be readily available. The findings are consistent with previous research highlighting the role of inflammation in COVID-19 severity.

Key Findings

Both NLR and PLR showed strong positive correlations with the HRCT severity score (r = 0.471, p < 0.05 for NLR and r = 0.347, p < 0.05 for PLR). NLR and PLR were significantly different in mild and severe disease groups (p < 0.05). Median NLR was 2.91 in mild disease and 8.00 in severe disease. Median PLR was 148.67 in mild disease and 210.89 in severe disease.

Conclusion

NLR and PLR values could serve as prognostic markers in patients with COVID-19, potentially in place of HRCT, to predict disease severity and guide treatment plans.

Fact Check

1. Sample Size: A total of 83 COVID-19 patients were included in the study. (Confirmed in text)
2. Correlation Coefficient for NLR: The study found a strong positive correlation between NLR and HRCT severity score with an r value of 0.471. (Confirmed in text)
3. Study Duration: The study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2021. (Confirmed in text)

Mind Map