Anemia is associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

Abstract

Letter to the Editor Anemia is associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infectionDear Editor, Until recently, the number of positive and death cases from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing. This pandemic disease has caused a significant impact and burden on all aspects of life, especially on the economic and health aspect. Therefore, identification of risk factors that contribute to the development of the severe disease is very important to enable risk stratification, optimize hospital resources reallocation, and guide public health recommendations and interventions. A previous study has shown that anemia was common in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and was associated with a higher 90-day mortality rate [1]. Unfortunately, no study provides clear evidence regarding the link between anemia and COVID-19. This article aims to explore the potential association between anemia and the severity of COVID-19 infection.A search of the literature was conducted on Google scholar using the keywords "anemia" OR "hematologic" OR "clinical characteristics" OR "comorbidities" OR "risk factors" AND "coronavirus disease 2019" OR "COVID-19", until July 21st, 2020) with language restricted to English only. The title, abstract, and full text of all articles identified that matched the search criteria were assessed, and those reporting the rate of anemia in COVID-19 patients with a clinically validated definition of "severe disease" were included in this meta-analysis.A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration) software. Dichotomous variables were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel formula with random-effects models. We used the I 2 statistic to assess the heterogeneity, value of < 25 %, 26-50 %, and > 50 % considered as low, moderate, and high degrees of heterogeneity, respectively. The effect estimate was reported as odds ratio (OR) along with its 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous variables, respectively. P-value was two-tailed, and the statistical significance set at ≤0.05.A total of 17,200 records were obtained through systematic electronic searches and other ways. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 7 studies [2-8] with a total of 9,912 COVID-19 patients were * Corresponding author.

Results from the IRoc-GN international registry of patients with COVID-19 and glomerular disease suggest close monitoring

“…Both anemia and hypoalbuminemia have been associated with increased in-hospital mortality in other populations. [16][17][18][19] The higher rate of AKI in GN patients than in controls may have contributed to the increased mortality. Based on a recent meta-analysis of greater than 13,000 COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of AKI is 17%, 20 though there is considerable heterogeneity (0.5% to 80.3%) across different populations.…”

“…Both anemia and hypoalbuminemia have been associated with increased in-hospital mortality in other populations. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18…”

Clinical characteristics and impacts of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on the convalescents of COVID-19

“…And TCM treatment significantly ameliorated the immune ability against SARS-CoV-2 in patients via reversing the levels of these indices 25 . Anemia was proved to be associated with severe COVID-19) infection 26 , and decreased HGB is common in forms of anemia. MCHC is lower in small cell anemia.…”

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… 1 , 2 Previously published meta-analysis studies have identified several comorbidities that were associated with severe outcomes from COVID-19, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] Among patients with obesity, one of the most prevalent co-existing comorbid conditions was obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder and is highly prevalent, possibly affecting up to 1 billion people around the world.…”