Hematological Impact of COVID-19: Anemia in Post-COVID

Abdel-Aziz, Taher; Nabil Abd El Aziz, Ghada; Fawzy, Mai; Ibrahim EL Dosoky, Nagwa; Iraqi Ahmed Hegab, Hanaa; Dahshan, Ismail

doi:10.21608/bmfj.2023.244728.1939

Hematological Impact of COVID-19: Anemia in Post-COVID

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Clinical Research Unit, Directorate of Health Affairs in Qalyubia, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt

² American Board in pharmacotherapy, Specialized Kafr Shokr Hospital, Qalyubia, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt)

³ Radiology Department, Benha Fever Hospital, Qalyubia Directorate of Health, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt

⁴ Msc Pediatric Nursing, Specialized Kafr Shokr Hospital, Qalyubia, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt

⁵ MSc Chemical and Clinical Pathology, Specialized Kafr Shokr Hospital, Qalyubia, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt

⁶ Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sues Canal University, Egypt

10.21608/bmfj.2023.244728.1939

Abstract

Purpose: This study’s purpose was to assess the relationship between COVID-19 and hematological variations on admission and 6 months after discharge.
Patients and Methods: In a prospective observational study at Kafr Shokr Specialized Hospital from September 2021 to September 2022, 292 adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were categorized into hospitalized and non-hospitalized groups. Comprehensive clinical evaluations, including blood assessments, were conducted. The hospitalized patients were re-evaluated for anemia six months after discharge.
Results: Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly higher in the non-hospitalized group, with a mean of 14.13 g/dL, compared to the hospitalized group with 12.43 g/dL (p < 0.001). Anemia affected 18.005% of the non-hospitalized group, compared to 45.3% of the hospitalized group. At 6-month follow-up, hospitalized patients showed a decrease in Hb levels and platelet counts and an increase in white blood cell counts. Logistic regression identified baseline anemia, lower Hb, and reduced MCH levels as predictors for post-COVID anemia.
Conclusion: The study revealed that COVID-19 severity was associated with anemia, which persisted and increased in prevalence six months post-infection. Baseline anemia, Hb, and MCH levels emerged as crucial predictors for post-COVID anemia, emphasizing the need for continuous hematological monitoring in COVID-19 survivors.

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