Association between Hb A1c and Severity of COVID-19 Patients

• Published in: Hemoglobin Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 124 - 128
• Main Authors: Unluguzel Ustun, Goksenin, Keskin, Adem, Aci, Recai, Arslanbek Erdem, Mukadder, Ari, Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 04.03.2021
• Subjects: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19); diabetes mellitus (DM); Hb A; mortality; Original
• ISSN: 0363-0269; 1532-432X
• DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2021.1926278

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Hb A 1c levels and the clinical course of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) patients. Sixty-six COVID-19(+) patients with high Hb A 1c and 46 with average Hb A 1c and 30 COVID-19(-) patients with average Hb A 1c were included. Hb A 1c levels and parameters examined in COVID-19(+) patients were compared between groups, and correlation analysis was performed between these parameters and Hb A 1c levels. The effect of Hb A 1c levels on intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients was analyzed with the χ 2 test. It was observed that hemoglobin (Hb) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) levels of the COVID-19 (+) groups was lower than the COVID-19 (-) group, while ferritin, D-dimer, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher. The COVID-19 (+) group with high Hb A 1c had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), PCT and D-dimer levels than the other two groups, while Hb, partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ) levels were lower. The Hb A 1c levels of the COVID-19 (+) groups were positively correlated with absolute neutrophil count (ANC), LDH, PCT and (K + ) levels, while negatively correlated with Hb and PaO 2 levels. Hb A 1c was found to be associated with the inflammation process, coagulation disorders and low PaO 2 in COVID-19 patients. The COVID-19 patients with high Hb A 1c levels had a higher mortality rate than other COVID-19 patients. Using Hb A 1c measurements with other prognostic markers would contribute to the patient's risk of death assessment.