Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and the prognosis of hypertensive COVID-19 patients.
Methods: It was designed as a single center retrospective study. PCR positive COVID-19 patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) and received antihypertensive treatment were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as survivor and non-survivor. C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR) ratios of the patients were compared. The cut-off value was determined as a mortality predictor. The effect of CAR on mortality was evaluated using Logistic Regression analysis.
Results: 281 patients were included in the study. Groups consisted of 135 (non-survivor) and 146 (survivor) patients. CAR was significantly higher in the non-survivor group (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for CAR for mortality was 0.807, with sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.71. The cut-off value for CAR was calculated as 56.62. In logistic regression analysis, CAR increases mortality 4.9 times compared to the cut-off value.
Conclusion: CAR is a powerful and independent prognostic marker for predicting mortality and disease progression in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.
Keywords: C-reactive protein; COVID-19; albumin; c-reactive protein/albumin ratio; hypertension.