The Effect of Vaccination on Biochemical and Inflammatory Markers in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been proven beneficial in preventing hospitalization, serious illness, and death. However, whether immunization affects biochemical and inflammatory markers, prognostic factors in hospitalization remain unknown. The effects of vaccination status on blood biochemistry and inflammatory markers were investigated in our study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Material and Method: A total of 107 patients comprising 67 unvaccinated and 40 vaccinated individuals who were hospitalized for COVID-19 from two different centers between November 1, 2021, and January 1, 2021, were included in our study. The patients’ demographics, comorbidities, and biochemical and inflammatory markers were recorded during hospitalization. Results: We identified 107 patients (62 men and 45 women; mean age, 63.7±14.8 years), with a mean age of 68.6±12.2 (37–89) and 60.7±15.5 (27–88) for the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (p=0.005), respectively. Lymphocyte level in the 0–55 age group was 1.4±0.46×109/L in vaccinated patients and 0.96±0.5×109/L in unvaccinated patients. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.05). The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value was higher in the unvaccinated patients in all age groups (0–55 and over 55 years old) (p=0.04). Using logistic regression analysis, LDH was demonstrated to be a predictive factor for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the 0–55 age range of unvaccinated patients. It was determined that the increase in LDH in all age groups elevates the ICU admission risk by 1.004 times. Conclusion: Our study showed that COVID-19 vaccination is effective against lymphopenia induced by COVID-19 in people under 55 and LDH in people of all ages. The impact of vaccination status on LDH may be meaningful, considering that elevated LDH has been associated with a higher risk of ICU support, mortality, and complications.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccine
• lactate dehydrogenase
• lymphopenia

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