Effect of COVID-19 on lipid profile parameters and its correlation with acute phase reactants: A single-center retrospective analysis. (June 2022) - Almas, Talal
Abstract: Background and objective: The development and correlation of dyslipidemia is unknown in COVID-19. This investigation was performed to assess the pathological alterations in lipid profile and their association in COVID-19. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on real-world patients to assess serum levels of LDL-C, HDL, TG, TC on COVID-19 patients (mild: 319; moderate: 391; critical: 357). Age- and gender-matched controls who had their lipid profiles in the same period were included as the control group. Results: LDL-C, HDL, TG, and TC levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients when compared with the control group (P < 0.001, 0.047, 0.045, <0.001, respectively). All parameters decreased gradually with COVID-19 disease severity (LDL-C: median (IQR), mild: 98 (91, 134); moderate: 97 (81, 113); critical: 68 (68, 83); HDL: mild: 45 (37, 50); moderate: 46 (41, 50); critical: 40 (37, 46); TG: mild: 186 (150, 245); moderate: 156 (109, 198); critical: 111 (98, 154); TC: mild: 224 (212, 238); moderate: 212 (203, 213); critical: 154 (125, 187)). Logistic regression demonstrated lipid profile as predictor of severity of COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: Hypolipidemia develops in increasing frequency with severe COVID-19 disease. It inversely correlates with levels of acute-phase reactants, indicating SARS-COV-2 as the causative agent for alteration in lipid and thyroid levels. Highlights: Hyperlipidaemia develops in increasing frequency with severe COVID-19 disease. LDL-C, HDL, TG, and TC levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients when compared with the control group. Hyperlipidaemia inversely correlates with levels of acute-phase reactants, therefore, SARS-COV-2 can be the causative agent for lipid and thyroid alterations.