Leukocyte albumin ratio as an early predictor of mortality in critical COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the leukocyte albumin ratio (LAR) in predicting mortality in critical COVID-19 patients. Material and Methods: In this retrospectively-designed study, we evaluated a total of 98 critical patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Patients were divided into two groups according to hospital mortality as survivors (n=43) and non-survivors (n=55). Results: The non-survivors group was statistically significantly older (67.3 +/- 9.7 versus 62.5 +/- 10.9; p=0.023). HT and DM were detected more in the non-survivors group than in the survivors group (p=0.031, p=0.018, respectively). Mean LAR values were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (5.9 +/- 3.5 versus 3.3 +/- 1.4; p<0.001). LAR values was positively correlated with urea (r=0.43, p<0.001), LDH (r=0.35, p<0.001), ferritin (r=0.25, p=0.015), procalcitonin (r=0.34, p<0.001), and pro-BNP (r=0.24, p=0.015) levels. A cut-off value of 3.71 ng/mL for LAR predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 70% (AUC:0.779 95% Cl:0.689-0.870; p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (OR:1.114, 95% CI:1.020-1.218; p=0.017) and increased ferritin (OR:1.003, 95% CI:1.001-1.004; p=0.002) and LAR (OR:1.583, 95% CI:1.073-2.337; p=0.021) values were independent predictors of mortality in patients with critical COVID-19. Discussion: LAR can be a useful and prognostic marker that can be used to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit.