Biochemical Features of COVID-19 Patients in Hodeidah, Yemen

Background: The biochemical parameters are very important for progressive of infection and predicator for severity.

Objectives: Therefore, the study aims to describe the biochemical features of COVID-19 infection.

Methodology: The study was designed in a case series. The study included 49 patients that were confirmed by the RT-PCR test with COVID-19. The study groups were severe and critical cases that admitted and treated in isolation center (inpatient). The biochemical assays included blood glucose, liver function test, renal function test and cardiac function test.

Results: The results showed relationship between the hyperglycemia and severity illness where the diabetics mellitus was reported in 17/49 cases (34.69 %) as controlled patients and 15/49 (30.61 %) as uncontrolled. The average of blood glucose was 370±200 mg/dl and the HbA1C was 9 ± 2 %. On the other hand, renal failure was reported in 2/49 cases (4.08 %) with serum creatinine. In addition, non – significant increase in liver enzymes namely aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT/GPT) while significant decreasing in albumin 2 ± 0.5 g/dl. The troponin positive was reported in 6/49 patients (12.24 %). In addition, significant increasing in C- reactive protein (CRP) 70 ± 28 mg/L.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the increase in biochemical markers namely blood glucose, HbA1C that were risk factors for exposure to COVID-19 infection and increase in CRP and decrease in serum albumin that were good predicator for progressive and severity illness in COVID-19 infection.