Galectin-3 as prognostic biomarker in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory failure. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Portacci, Andrea; Diaferia, Fabrizio; Santomasi, Carla; Dragonieri, Silvano; Boniello, Esterina; Di Serio, Francesca; Carpagnano, Giovanna Elisiana
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 187(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Inflammation -- Lung injury -- Viral pneumonia -- ARDS -- ICU; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Galectin-3 is β-galactoside-binding lectin with several roles in immune-inflammatory response. To date, there is no evidence of Galectin-3 role as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study is to clarify the prognostic role of Galectin-3 in patients with COVID 19 acute respiratory failure. Methods: We enrolled 156 consecutive patients with COVID-19 disease. Routine laboratory test, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray or Computed Tomography and Galectin-3 dosage were performed. The primary outcome was to assess Galectin-3 predictive power for 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day Intensive Care Unit admission and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome stratification according to Galectin-3 dosage. We performed Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables comparison. Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test were used for categorical variables analysis. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves estimated Galectin-3 predictive power for the endpoints. With a fixed cut-off of 35.3 ng/ml, Kaplan-Meier with Log-Rank test and Cox Regression were performed to assess mortality and Intensive Care Unit admission risk. Results: Galectin-3 correlated with many other prognostic predictors tested in our analysis. Moreover, patients with serum levels of Galectin-3 above 35.3 ng/ml had increased risk for mortality, Intensive Care Unit admission and severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the role of Galectin-3 as a predictor of mortality, Intensive Care Unit access and ARDS stratification in patients with COVID 19 acute respiratory failure. Highlights: Assess the utility of Galectin-3 for prognosis prediction Increased Galectin-3 serum levels are associated with higher risk of death, ICU access and severe ARDS development Galectin-3 can provide important prognostic information in patients with COVID 19 acute respiratory failure