Assessing the Relationship Between D-dimer and IL-۶ Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly COVID-۱۹ Patients

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-۶ (IL-۶) and D-dimer and their association with morbidity and mortality in elderly coronavirus disease-۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) patients and to assess their clinical outcomes. Materials & Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted on elderly COVID-۱۹ patients (≥۶۰ years) diagnosed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or radiological tests in a South Indian tertiary care hospital. Data encompassed demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, IL-۶ and D-dimer levels, oxygen (O۲) requirement, duration of hospital stay, and outcomes. Statistical analysis involved Chi-square test. A p-value of < .۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Findings: Among ۱۴۴۸ screened patients, ۱۳۸۰ patients with a mean age of ۶۸.۸۵±۶.۹۸۵ years were included in this study, of whom ۶۱.۶۷% were male. The mortality rate was ۱۲.۱% in males and ۱۱% in females. Fever, cough, hypertension, and diabetes were common in most of the patients. The mean D-dimer and IL-۶ levels were ۲.۶۸۷±۵.۱۸۹ mg/L fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) and ۹۵.۷۲±۳۳۵.۶۲ pg/mL, respectively. Elevated D-dimer (۷۱%) and IL-۶ (۸۷.۷%) levels were significantly associated with oxygen requirement, morbidity, and mortality (p= .۰۰۰). Sub-group analysis revealed a significant association between D-dimer and IL-۶ levels and O۲ requirement and mortality in diabetic and hypertensive patients (p= .۰۰۰). Conclusion: Serum IL-۶ and D-dimer levels are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality in elderly COVID-۱۹ patients. Elevated levels of these biomarkers also influence O۲ requirement and mortality in patients with comorbidities, suggesting their potential use in risk stratification and management strategies for this vulnerable population.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , D-dimer , geriatric , Interleukin-۶ , Mortality