Original article / research
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Role of Impedance-Based Platelet Parameters and Related Ratios in Screening for Coronavirus Infection- An Institutional Experience |
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Correspondence
Address : Dr. Preethi A Rai, Assisrtant Professor, Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kankanady, Manglore-575002, Karnataka, India. E-mail: drpreethirai@gmail.com |
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Introduction: Impedance based platelet parameters can be easily obtained from most automated haematology analysers. Few of these parameters, especially Platelet Count (PLT), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and Plateletcrit (PCT), have been shown to predict disease progression in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, data on usefulness of these parameters as predictors of COVID-19 infection, in suspected cases, is limited. Aim: To evaluate the role of impedance-based platelet parameters, like PLT, MPV, PCT, Platelet-Distribution Width (PDW), and related ratios, as predictors of COVID-19 infection in suspected cases, using real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) as standard. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2020, at a teaching hospital located in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The study parameters were retrieved and/or calculated, from the medical records of 328 patients (from July 2020 to August 2020) who had undergone COVID-19 rRT-PCR testing of their respiratory samples, comprising equal number (n=164) of patients with positive and negative test results, matched for age and sex. The data were compared and analysed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used in statistical analysis of this study. The significance level (p-value) was set to 0.05. Results: Data of total 328 subjects (age range: 18-85 years, 164 COVID positive and 164 COVID negative subjects) was collected and analysed for comparison. Differences in PLT, PCT, and most of the calculated ratios were statistically significant between the two groups; however, Area Under Curve (AUC) for all were <0.7. PCT values were significantly lower in COVID-19 positive group, despite normal PLT (p-value=0.005). Conclusion: Impedance based platelet parameters have limited role as predictors of COVID-19 infection in suspected patients, despite of their established prognostic value. Decrease in PCT values possibly precedes occurrence of thrombocytopenia following COVID-19 infection. |
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