Indicators of stress hematopoiesis in the blood predict COVID-19 progression in patients over 65 years old
Objectives Advanced age is a well-established risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Exacerbated inflammation affects multiple organs, among which hematopoiesis responds by increased output of various cells. We aimed to determine the association between COVID-19 progression and...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Hematology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16078454.2024.2311006 |
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| Summary: | Objectives Advanced age is a well-established risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Exacerbated inflammation affects multiple organs, among which hematopoiesis responds by increased output of various cells. We aimed to determine the association between COVID-19 progression and large immature cell (LIC) counts, changes in erythrocyte and platelet distribution widths (RDW, PDW) with reference to patients’ age.Methods A total of 755 patients with complete blood cell (CBC) analysis in the first 24 h of hospitalization were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: under and above 65 years of age.Results The LIC counts were different in both groups (p < 0.003). However, only the senior patients had markedly different values of RDW and PDW (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis provided increased LIC (AUC = 0.600), RDW (AUC = 0.609), PDW (AUC = 0.556), and platelet to LIC ratio (AUC = 0.634) as significant in discriminating outcome in the older group. Importantly, these results were not repeated in the younger patients. In the elderly, the progression was predicted with LIC cut-off at ≥ 0.305 × 109/L (OR = 3.166) and RDW over 12.15% (OR = 2.081).Discussion Aging is characterized by a decline in immunological competence with a compromised control of inflammation leading to a proinflammatory state. This background together with the actions of pathogens may lead to emergency myelopoiesis.Conclusion Our results point to the important differences between age groups regarding CBC-related parameters of stress hematopoiesis during severe infection. Higher LIC, RDW and PDW levels were reliable in the early identification of COVID-19 progression only in the elderly. |
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| ISSN: | 1607-8454 |