CAN FERRITIN / LYMPHOCYTE PERCENTAGE RATIO, A NEW INDICATOR, PREDICT THE
CLINICAL COURSE OF COVID-19 CASES?
Abstract
Aim: Covid-19 maintains its seriousness as a global emergency with its
rapid distribution worldwide. Ferritin / lymphocyte percentage ratio
(FLPR) may appear as a prognostic value at the initial evaluation stage
and thus can be used as a simple, effective and reliable parameter in
critical patient identification with Covid-19. Materials and Methods: In
this retrospective cohort study we evaluated patients over 18 years old,
who were hospitalized after being evaluated as COVID-19 and whose PCR
results were positive. We calculated FLPRs from complete blood counts
taken during emergency department admissions and classified disease
severity due to emergency initial evaluation. The relationship between
the severity of the thoracic tomography findings, hospitalization and
intensive care needs, and 28-day mortality with the FLPR were evaluated.
Results: The difference between the groups classified according to
COVID-19 severity and the FLPR means was statistically significant (x2 =
148,284; SD = 3; p = 0,000). FLPR levels were found to be high in
critical and serious groups. In the ROC analysis for the FLPR level, the
area under the curve (AUC) value was found to be 0.909 (95% CI
0.857-0.961). When the cut off value of FLPR was 9.80, the sensitivity
was found to be 97.6%, and the specificity was 65.2%, whereas, when
the cut off value for FLPR was found to be 21.11, the sensitivity was
82.9% and the specificity was 82.8%. Conclusion: The FLPR, a new
parameter, can be used as a significant marker to predict the 28-day
mortality patients.