Abstract
Introduction: Several biomarkers were evaluated as predictors for progression towards severe disease in COVID-19 patients.IL-21 has some specific effects during programming and maintenance of antiviral immunity.We aimed to assess IL-21 and IL-6 as biomarkers for diagnosis and outcome prediction in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Method: Patients with preliminary diagnosis of COVID-19 and pneumonia other than COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care hospital were included consecutively in this case-control study.
Results: Study population consisted 51patients with COVID-19 and 11patients with non-COVID-19 pneumonia.Serum IL-21 concentration were markedly higher and serum CRP concentration were significantly lower in COVİD-19 patients compared to non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Serum IL-21 concentration cut-off value of 93ng/L has 90.9%sensitivity, 33.3%specificity for discriminating COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 pneumonia. Within COVID-19 patients, patients with clinical worsening(n=10)had lower lymphocyte count and haemoglubulin. Detoriating patients had higher urea, LDH levels and elevated concentration of both IL-6 and IL-21. Cut-off value of 160 ng/L for IL-21 has 80.0% sensitivity, %60.9specificity for discriminating patients with clinical worsening. Multivariable analysis performed to define risk factors for disease progression identified IL-6 and IL-21 as independent predictors. Odds ratio for serum IL-6concentrations>3.2pg/mL was 8.07(1.37-47.50, p=0.04)and odds ratio for serum IL-21 concentrations>106ng/L was 6.24(1.04-37.3, p=0.02).
Conclusion: High serum IL-6 and IL-21 levels obtained upon admission in COVID-19 patients are independent risk factors for clinical worsening.Further studies are needed
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA513.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021