C-reactive protein as predictor of gravity in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have reported that severe COVID-19 is associated with higher levels of C reactive protein than mild disease; however, there are controversy in the results. Objective: To determine whether C-reactive protein is a biomarker of severity in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was carried out on 148 inpatients at Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital, in Sancti Spíritus. The variable analyzed was C-reactive protein. The mean between groups: severe and non-severe, was compared using t Student test for independent samples with a significance level of 0.05. Predictive capacity of the biomarker by ROC curve analysis was determined. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated. Results: The mean value of C-reactive protein in the severe an non severe groups was 106.73 (88.43-125.03) and 26.87 (23.51-30.23), respectively; with highly significant differences. The area under the ROC curve was 0.991(0.975-1.000). The highest sensitivity and the lowest rate of false positive to discriminate between both groups was found at 47.1 mg/L. Conclusions: The severity predictive capacity of the test was excellent. The optimal cut-off point to define when a patient was likely to progress to severity was 47.1 mg/L. The quantification of this biochemical parameter could optimize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.