Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels as A Marker of COVID-19 Severity

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Knowing the severity of COVID-19 is important during a pandemic. Measurement of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels is a simple, quick, and widely available laboratory test in most health facilities. Lactate dehydrogenase levels change significantly in patients with tissue damage including COVID-19 disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the LDH levels as a marker of the severity of COVID-19. The research method used was a cross-sectional approach using primary data from 70 suspected COVID-19 patients from June to July 2021 at Labuang Baji Hospital, Hasanuddin University Hospital, and Makassar City Hospital. Samples were grouped into mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. The LDH levels at the time of hospital admission were measured using an Architect device. Chi-Square, Kruskal-Wallis, and ROC curve statistical tests were used to obtain the LDH value with a significant value of p<0.05. The sample consisted of 24 mild COVID-19, 23 moderate COVID-19, and 23 severe COVID-19. The LDH levels in mild COVID-19 were 101.00 U/L (74.00-156.00 U/L) significantly different from moderate COVID-19 was 143.00 U/L (126.00-253.00 U/L) and COVID-19 were 291.00 U/L (177.00-655.00 U/L) (p<0.001) and had a very strong positive correlation (r=0.914). The ROC curve showed that LDH had a sensitivity of 91.3%, specificity of 94.7% with the cut-off >250.5 U/L, NPV of 96.4%, PPV of 87.5%, and accuracy of 91.3%. LDH levels increase along with the increasing severity of COVID-19 caused by tissue damage due to increased inflammatory response. LDH can be used as a marker of COVID-19 severity.

Decoding the Therapeutic Potential of Empon-Empon: A Bioinformatics Expedition Unraveling Mechanisms Against Covid-19 and Atherosclerosis

“…Viral infections exacerbate this condition, leading to inflammatory disorders and severe complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and mortality [26]. Emerging evidence indicates the efficacy of EE in individuals with atherosclerosis infected with COVID-19 [20]. This therapeutic effect is attributed to EE's terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.…”

“…Conventional atherosclerosis therapies, including statins, have been associated with adverse effects that may exacerbate the disease and compromise immune function, thereby increasing susceptibility to viral infections, including COVID-19 [17][18][19]. Amid the pandemic's peak, the empirical and safe utilization of the traditional herb "Emponempon" emerged, demonstrating swift efficacy in treating atherosclerosis and COVID-19 disorders [20]. EE is a traditional Indonesian concoction made from a combination of turmeric (Kunyit/Curcuma longa Linn), aromatic ginger (Kencur/Kaempferia galangal), red ginger (Jahe merah/Zingiber officinale var rubrum), galangal (Lengkuas/Alpinia galanga), cinnamon (Kayumanis/Cinnamomum cassia), nutmeg (Pala/Myristica fragrans), cloves (Cengkeh/Syzygium aromaticum), lemongrass (Serai wangi/Cymbopogon citratus), and Bay leaf (Daun salam/Syzygium polyanthum Wight Walp).…”