Troponin is a useful marker in clinical decision making in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infections

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global pandemic. The disease manifestations ranges from a mild common cold to severe disease and death. It has a higher mortality rate in people with a history of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can also contribute to cardiac injury. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between troponin levels as a cardiac marker and adverse outcomes in this disease. METHODS: The study sample included 438 patients hospitalized with COVID-19; however, the troponin data of 6 patients were not available. The need to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and death were considered the adverse outcome in patients with COVID-19. Troponin levels were checked in all patients on day 1 and day 3 of hospitalization. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was an independent association between the adverse outcomes and troponin enzyme in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61.29 ± 15.84 years. Among the 432 patients tested on day 1 of hospitalization, 24 patients (5.6%) tested positive (Troponin 1), and among the 303 patients tested on day 3, 13 patients (4.3%) tested positive (Troponin 2). Based on our results, Troponin 1 showed an independent association with both death (3.008 [95%CI = 1.091-8.290]; P = 0.033) and need for ICU admission (8.499 [95%CI = 3.316-21.788]; P < 0.001) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Moreover, the status of Troponin 2 had an independent significant association with both death (4.159 [95%CI = 1.156-14.961]; P = 0.029) and ICU admission (7.796 [95%CI = 1.954-31.097]; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Troponin showed a significant association with adverse outcomes in people who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The periodical assessment of this enzyme from the time of hospitalization may improve the clinical decision making of clinicians.