Lymphopenia is Associated with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infections

Abstract

Background: Covid-19 is a very contagious and quickly spreading viral infection, caused by a corona virus SARS-COV-2 which was originally reported in China on December 5, 2019. It was confirmed as pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. This disease is yet under research. It has variable severity which includes no symptoms to pneumonia. This can cause death of the patient. Aim: To evaluate the association of Lymphopenia with severity of COVID 19 in COVID-19 patients Methods: It was a retrospective observational study conducted in COVID wards of Ghurki hospital Lahore. Record of 100 COVID-19 patients that were admitted between March and July 2021 fulfilling the inclusion criteria was included in the study. A pre-structured pro forma was filled to collect the data. Results: Out of 100 patients, 30 patients were included in Non-severe group while severe group had 70 patients. The mean age of study population was 52.5±10.38 with 60% male and 40% female. 70% patients in severe group had some co-existent comorbidity. The most commonly reported symptoms were fever and cough in both groups while shortness of breath was more commonly reported in severe group. Conclusion: Lymphopenia is associated with severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Lymphocytes count can be used to assess the severity of COVID 19. Keywords: Lymphocytes, Lymphopenia, Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID 19.