The use of eosinophil count in predicting the need of coronavirus disease 2019 patient for treatment in intensive care unit

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Identification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who have the potential to become critical cases at an early stage and providing aggressive therapy can reduce the mortality rate. AIM: This study aims to determine the diagnostic value and differences of eosinophil counts in patients with COVID19 who require treatment in intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU. METHOD: The prospective study was conducted on 382 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized from May to September 2020. Samples were obtained through consecutive sampling techniques. Mann–Whitney analysis was used to determine the difference of eosinophil counts in COVID-19 patients who require treatment in ICU and non-ICU. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of eosinophil count to predict the need of COVID-19 patients for treatment in ICU. RESULTS: There is a significant difference in the absolute and percentage eosinophil count in COVID-19 patients who need treatment in ICU and non-ICU. The area under the curve of absolute and percentage eosinophil count to predict the need of COVID-19 patients for treatment in ICU is 0.659 and 0.738, respectively. The best cutoff value, sensitivity and specificity of absolute and percentage eosinophil count is <0.025 × 103 µL and <0.25%; 77.7% and 78.3%; and 50.0% and 57.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The eosinophil count can be used as a biomarker to predict the need of COVID-19 patients for treatment in ICU.