Predictive accuracy and diagnostic significance of NLR (Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio) and D-dimer in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that wreaks havoc on the world's healthcare systems. To recognize severe patients, simple and quick risk classification procedures are required. D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLR) as a prognostic utility has shown promising results in patients with COVID-19.Objectives: To evaluate the utility of multi-test using D-Dimer and NLR in patients with COVID-19.Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven confirmed cases with COVID-19 infection treated at the study center were studied prospectively. Age, sex, total leukocyte count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and D-dimer were estimated. NLR was calculated using the values of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Correlation between NLR, D-Dimer was obtained using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: COVID-19 was more prevalent in the age group of 51-60 years [54 (23.68%)] followed by 61-70 years [53 (23.25%)] and 41-50 years [51 (22.37%)]. Mean age of study cohort was 53.34±14.68 years. COVID-19 was more prevalent in males [156 (68.42%)]. A positive correlation was obtained between age (r=0.319, P<0.001), total count ((r=0.621, P<0.001), neutrophil (r=0.801, P<0.001) and D-Dimer (r=0.426, P<0.001) with NLR whereas negative correlation was observed with lymphocyte (r=-0.805, P<0.001) for NLR. Conclusion: Multi-tests of D-Dimer and NLR were more beneficial than single tests in treating patients with COVID-19 infection.