Prognostic Value of a C-reactive Protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) in COVID 19 patients

Abstract

The rapid spread and high death rate associated with the coronavirus pandemic at the end of 2019 prompted researchers around the world to look for a simple and inexpensive index to predict disease's progress and severity. Both albumin and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are biological markers that are affected by the inflammatory state of the body, as is C-reactive protein-to-Albumin ratio (CAR), in addition to their relationship with various cardiac and septic diseases. With regard to COVID 19, several previous studies have pointed to CAR's role in predicting the seriousness of cases with varying marginal value from one community to another, justifying the importance of studying this ratio in our society and determining disease prognostic value. The results of this study, which included 212 patients admitted to isolation department at the Tishreen University Hospital in Latakia in Syrian Arab Republic, concluded that serum albumin decreased and both CRP and CAR were high in coronavirus patients who died and in high-risk patients. (mechanical respirators) in addition to taking CAR = 21.56 as a limit value to predict death in patients (area below curve surface 68%, sensitivity 68% and quality 52%). Finally, we recommend that extensive studies be undertaken to assess the role of studied CAR in predicting the seriousness of other respiratory infections and other septic diseases.