Lymphopenia is an indicator of severity of the disease and predicts mortality in COVID-19.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of lymphopenia on the COVID-19 disease outcome. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: ICU and Isolation Ward of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Period: July 2020 to Dec 2020. Material & Methods: Different parameters of CBC were performed using the five parts Sysmex differential hematology analyzer BS-1800. A total of 274 patients were included via non probability sampling. Relevant information’s were recorded on a pre-designed performa prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Results: The absolute lymphocyte count was lower in patients who were admitted in ICU as compared to those in isolation ward (p-value 0.07). Likewise patients with severe lymphocytopenia (lymphocyte count less than 0.5) had a greater rate of mortality (p value 0.01). No significant difference in term of TLC and ANC was noted in survivor’s vs non survivors groups in present study. Conclusion: Our study concludes that lymphopenia serves as a reliable and early prognostic factor in determining disease severity and mortality COVID-19.