A new biomarker in severe pneumonia associated with coronavirus disease 2019: hypoalbuminemia. A prospective study

BACKGROUND: Effective triage and early detection are very important for controlling and treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, the relationships between hypoalbuminemia and other acute-phase reactants in such cases need to be evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the importance of albumin levels in cases of severe pneumonia due to COVID-19. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study conducted in Ankara City Hospital (a stage 3 hospital), Turkey. METHODS: Data from 122 patients diagnosed with pneumonia due to COVID-19 who were admitted to this hospital were analyzed statistically in comparison with date from 60 healthy controls. Three groups were established: healthy controls, intubated patients and non-intubated patients. Lung tomography scans from the patients were examined one-by-one. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results were recorded. RESULTS: Albumin levels were statistically significantly lower in the intubated and non-intubated groups than in the control group, in comparing the three groups (P < 0.01). The other acute-phase reactants, i.e. neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein levels, were significantly higher in the intubated and non-intubated groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). Albumin levels were also significantly lower in the intubated group than in the non-intubated group (P = 0.02). No differences were detected with regard to other parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoalbuminemia may constitute a biomarker indicating the severity of pneumonia due to COVID-19.