Role of Leukocytes Ratio in Predicting Survival with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Eosinophils, the main cells in the immune system, play a key role in parasitic and allergic diseases. However, their role in viral infections is still a matter of debate. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the eosinophils, eosinophils to lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in predicting survival in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the COVID-19 ward from August 2021 to January 2022.  A total of 497 diagnosed patients of Covid-19 disease were enrolled aged >25 years of both genders. Quantitative variables were presented as percentages and frequencies. The Chi-square test was applied to evaluate the association.

Results: Of 497 patients infected with Covid-19, 311 (62.6%) were males and 186(37.4%) were females. The mean value of eosinophils was 0.52±1.27 and the eosinophils to lymphocyte ratio (ELR) was 0.05±0.11. The association of age and hematological parameters with gender was found at 52.25±27.52 years in males and at 55.20±25.77 in females (p=0.114). In addition, the mean value of ELR was observed 0.05±0.11 in males and 0.04±0.11 in females (p=0.627), whereas, mean lymphocyte to monocytes ratio (LMR) was 2.44±2.07 in males and 3.21±5.02 in females (p=0.011).

Conclusion: A significant association was reported in the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (p < 0.011) in both genders, whereas an insignificant association was found in Eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio. Thus, LMR, ELR, and CRP levels may be effective markers for survival in Covid-19.

Keywords: Eosinophils, Lymphocytes Ratio, Biomarker.