Predictive value of biochemical markers on mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in intensive care units

Abstract

Mortality among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU) remains a major topic of interest. The evaluation of biochemical markers can provide valuable predictive information for the prognosis of these patients. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of certain biochemical markers on mortality among COVID-19 patients in the ICU. The study included a total of 3,223 patients hospitalized in IMSP IMU during the period 2020–2022, of which 965 died and 2,258 survived. The values of the following biochemical parameters were analysed: ALAT, ASAT, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, glucose, CRP, and sodium. The W-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the mean values of the biochemical parameters, and the p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Differences between the “deceased” and “survived” groups were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Elevated levels of ASAT (p < 0.001), urea (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001), glucose (p < 0.004), and CRP (p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of mortality, while lower levels of total protein (p < 0.001) were predominantly observed in deceased patients. Bilirubin and ALAT did not show statistically significant differences. The identified biochemical markers could be used for risk stratification and optimization of clinical management among COVID-19 patients in the ICU.