Evaluation of D-dimer Level in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with prothrombotic complications, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, serves as a biomarker for coagulation abnormalities. This study evaluates the role of D-dimer in predicting disease severity and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients. Aim: To assess correlations between D-dimer levels and age, gender, comorbidities, disease severity, and hospitalization needs in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 78 COVID-19-positive patients admitted to an outpatient clinic was conducted. Data on demographics, comorbidities, vaccination status, disease severity, and admission D-dimer levels were analyzed using statistical tests (t-tests, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U). Results: The mean age of participants was 49 years, with 56.4% males and 43.6% females. Approximately 52% of patients had a comorbid disease, primarily hypertension and diabetes. Older patients and those with coexisting diseases had significantly higher D-dimer levels (p-values 0.017 and 0.045, respectively), with non-significant differences between males and females (p-value 0.648). Older patients had a significantly higher need for hospitalization during acute COVID-19 infection (p-value 0.002). Additionally, patients with elevated admission D-dimer levels showed a greater prevalence of severe disease (p-value 0.01) and a higher need for hospitalization (p-value 0.028). Conclusions: Elevated admission D-dimer levels are strongly linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes and hospitalization, highlighting their utility as an early prognostic marker. Clinical management of COVID-19 patients may be guided by D-dimer assessment, which may help predict disease severity.