Association between thrombocytopenia and platelet profile with morbidity/mortality of severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious viral disease that can be associated with changes in platelet counts. Thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity among these patients. In this study, we aimed to measure the platelet count of COVID-19 patients and find the association with morbidity and mortality after following up. METHODS: This study was conducted on 1,320 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the Ayatollah Taleghani and Shohada Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by standard protocols. The data on the platelet profile were retrospectively extracted from patients' electronic medical records consisted of platelet counts on admission, the next 7 days during the hospital stay, and on discharge. Patients were categorized into two groups, namely, "non-severe presentation" and "severe presentation" based on clinical signs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in platelet counts and thrombocytopenia between severe and non-severe, survivors and nonsurvivors, and severe survivors and severe non-survivors groups at the time of admission to the hospital. After 7 days, a trend toward an increase in platelet counts was seen in non-severe patients, survivors, and severe compared with severe patients, non-survivors, and severe non-survivors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia and thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients are common and lead to a higher mortality rate.