A Study of D-Dimer Levels with and without Co-Morbidities as a Prognostic Marker for Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients

Background: A novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic called SARS-CoV-2 is defining global health crisis of our time and has resulted in the outbreak of respiratory illness. Coagulation system is active in critically ill patients and D-dimer levels co-relate with activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade. As COVID-19 is caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, increased D-dimer were reported in corona like infections due to activation of Coagulation by respiratory viruses. Elevated D-dimer following anticoagulation for thrombotic event indicates increased risk of recurrent thrombosis. Objectives: To assess the levels of D-Dimer in COVID-19 patients with and without co-morbidities. Methodology: This is an observational study done for about 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the month of August 2020to September 2020. D-dimer values were determined in an age groups 30-60years including male and female patients with and without co-morbidities like Diabetes, Hypertension. Results: In my study population of 40 patients ? 50%i. e., 20 patients were with co-morbidities and 50% i. e., 20 patients were without co-morbidities. Among patients with co-morbidities, D-dimer levels observed were less than500 ng/ml in about 5%, 500-1000 ng/ml in 55%, and greater than1000 ng/ml in 40% when compared with that of patients without co-morbidities, D-dimer levels observed were less than500 ng/ml in 90%, 500-1000 ng/ml in 10% and greater than1000 ng/ml in 0%. p value is estimated as (p=0.007) which is statistically significant. Conclusion: We have come to conclusion that D-dimer levels were markedly elevated in COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities when compared with that of COVID-19 patients without co-morbidities.