Association of blood lipids with mortality in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lipid levels and mortality in individuals hospitalized (ward/intensive care unit) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This retrospective cohort study was conducted with COVID-19 patients admitted to a public hospital between April 2020 and 2021. Age, sex, and chronic disease status of the participants were analyzed as general information. Information on biochemical tests (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglycerides, total cholesterol, c-reactive protein [CRP]) and haemogram parameters were obtained from the hospital's automated system. The study sample consisted of 501 COVID-19 patients aged 24-94 years. According to mortality status, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and lymphocyte levels were higher, while CRP, neutrophil, and white blood cell levels were lower in survivors (p < 0.05). The risk of mortality was found to be higher with lower LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that alterations in lipoprotein metabolism are associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and monitor the blood lipid profile in COVID-19 patients.