Alterations in several paraclinical indicators among COVID-19 patients in Da Nang city

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is associated with diverse clinical and biochemical abnormalities, including renal dysfunction marked by elevated serum urea, a potential prognostic indicator in severe cases. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed medical records of 284 COVID-19 patients at Da Nang Pulmonary Hospital from September 2021 to April 2022. Serum urea, creatinine, GOT, GPT, and D-dimer levels were assessed. Associations with age, comorbidities, symptoms, and disease severity were evaluated using SPSS 20.0, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Elevated serum urea (>7.5 mmol/L) was observed in 17.6% of patients. Mean urea was 6.39 ± 6.57 mmol/L, creatinine 211.98 ± 287.08 µmol/L, GOT 32.29 ± 18.97 U/L, and GPT 32.82 ± 27.24 U/L. Urea elevation was significantly associated with age >60 years (p = 0.000), hypertension (p = 0.000), cardiovascular disease (p = 0.000), and disease severity (p = 0.001), but not diabetes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Elevated serum urea is prevalent in COVID-19 patients, particularly older individuals with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or severe disease. Routine urea monitoring may enhance risk stratification and guide management in Vietnam’s resource-limited settings.