RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF BIOCHEMICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS ADMITTED TOINTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN MIZORAM, INDIA

Background:This study aims to assess the effects and significance of both biochemical and haematological parameters on COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the peak second wave of the infection (May to August 2021) in a designated COVID-19 hospital in Mizoram, India. Methods:All existing data on COVID-19 patients admitted during the period of May to August, 2021 was collected from Medical Record department of Zoram Medical College/ State Referral Hospital (ZMC/ SRHF), Falkawn, Mizoram. Results:Out of one hundred eighty-seven (N = 187) COVID-19 positive ICU patients admitted to Zoram Medical College/ State Referral Hospital (ZMC/ SRHF),Falkawn from May to August, 2021, 111 (59.4%) were males and 76 (40.6%) were females of which 125 (66.8%) patients died while 62 (33.2%) survived. Mortality rate was comparatively higher in male patients (41.7%) than in female patients (25.1%). Majority of patients belonged to the elderly aged group (65 years and above) with 70 (37.4%) cases and no patients belonging to children age group (below 18 years) were admitted to ICU. Statistical significance was observed in haematological parameters like total RBC and WBC (monocytes, polymorph/neutrophils, leucocytes) count, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). In addition, clear significance was also noted in immunological parameters like C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose and biochemical parameters like serum creatinine, blood urea and aspartate amino transferase (AST). Conclusion:Our findings suggest the vitality of closely monitoring biochemical parameters like kidney and liver function tests (blood urea, serum creatinine, potassium, bilirubin, albumin, direct and indirect conjugated bilirubin, SGOT/ AST), CRP and haematological tests like total RBC, WBC, platelet counts, ESR, NLR and PLR to enhance immediate clinical interventions. Prognosis of these parameters and prompt treatment can potentially aid in further delay towards the onset of several other severe symptoms and may lead to eventual cure.