Comparative study on albumin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and D-dimer in chronic hemodialysis patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis are more susceptible to COVID-19 infections. Mortality and morbidity rate are higher in this population. Thus, it is critical to understand which parameters are associated with mortality in this population. C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and d-dimer were shown in several studies to be associated with mortality in COVID-19-infected hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study was a comparative observational, retrospective study from the medical records of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. Chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis who tested positive for COVID-19 from June 2020 to January 2021 and underwent treatment in the isolation ward were included in this study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 for Windows. Results: The non-survivor groups have statistically significant lower albumin (2.78 (2.21-3.40) g/dL vs. 3.20 (2.45-3.80) g/ dL; p=0.040) and higher CRP (10.40 (4.10-28.6) mg/L vs. 3.20 (0.10-80.0) mg/L; p=0.020) compared to the survivor group (Table 2). D-dimer value has no significant difference between the non-survivor and survivor groups (4,290 (190-18,310) ng/ mL vs. 2,630 (190-19,430) ng/mL; p=0.140). Conclusion: Non-survivor CKD patients with COVID-19 infections have significantly lower serum albumin and higher CRP concentrations. There is no significant difference in D-dimer concentrations in the survivor and non-survivor groups.