Correlation of D - Dimer Level with Demographic Detail of Covid 19 Patients at Tertiary Care Center - A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Since December 2019, Patients suffering from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is on the rise. According to previous research, D-dimer levels are higher in severe instances of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They may be utilized as a predictive biomarker. Objective: To evaluate the level of d-dimer among covid disease patients and correlate with age and gender. Methods: Four hundred and seventeen covid-19 positive patients were studied at GMERS Medical College, Vadangar, from October-2020 to December-2020. A citrate sample was collected of all patients who tested positive for the covid-19 disease. Citrated plasma was separated from each sample after proper centrifugation. Hemolysed samples and samples with insufficient quantity were rejected. In such cases, a new sample of the same patient was collected. D dimer test was then carried out from separated citrate plasma. Cut off value for d-dimer is 0.5 [Positive: >0.5 Fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU)/ml]. Result: From 417 cases: 280 males and 137 Females affected with peak occurrence in their sixth and seventh decade. A similar distribution pattern was found with a High D-dimer level also. The majority of the patients with elevated d-dimer levels had moderate to severe symptoms and required hospitalization. Conclusion: A significant correlation is found between elderly age with elevated d-dimer level, and it was found to be more common in female patients. So, d-dimer is one of the most important tests to be carried out in a hospitalized novel corona disease patient for preventing thrombotic events with timely interventions guided by d-dimer level.