Lymphopenia is Associated with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infections
Maria Shireen, Sarah Shoaib Qureshi, Arsalan Nawaz, Wasim Amir, Mehrin Farooq, S. Khurram S. Kazmi
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ABSTRACT
Background: Covid-19 is a very contagious and quickly
spreading viral infection, caused by a corona virus SARS-COV-2 which was originally
reported in China on December 5, 2019. It was confirmed as pandemic by WHO on
March 11, 2020. This disease is yet under research. It has variable severity which
includes no symptoms to pneumonia. This can cause death of the patient.
Aim: To evaluate the association of Lymphopenia
with severity of COVID 19 in COVID-19 patients
Methods: It was a retrospective observational study
conducted in COVID wards of Ghurki hospital Lahore. Record of 100 COVID-19
patients that were admitted between March and July 2021 fulfilling the
inclusion criteria was included in the study. A pre-structured pro forma was
filled to collect the data.
Results: Out of 100 patients, 30 patients were
included in Non-severe group while severe group had 70 patients. The mean age
of study population was 52.5±10.38
with 60% male and 40% female. 70% patients in severe group had some co-existent
comorbidity. The most commonly reported symptoms were fever and cough in both
groups while shortness of breath was more commonly reported in severe group.
Conclusion: Lymphopenia is associated with severe
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Lymphocytes count can be used
to assess the severity of COVID 19.
Keywords: Lymphocytes, Lymphopenia, Coronavirus disease
2019, COVID 19.