Hyperlipidemia in Post-COVID patients; a unique observational follow-up study on lipid levels in post-COVID patients

Abstract

Aim: Alterations in plasma lipid levels have been shown to be correlated with the severity of infections due to various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the lipid metabolism changes associated with disease severity and prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients during and after (post-COVID) the disease. Material and Method: Patients who were hospitalized in the COVID-19 wards between April 02, 2020, and November 20, 2020 and were then evaluated in the follow-up outpatient clinic were retrospectively searched. Results:  Lipid levels were present at the admission and follow-up for 95 patients. The mean (S.D) age was 48.49 (16.4), and 49(51.6%) were male. The mean (S.D) day between the admission and the first visit in the COVID-19 follow-up outpatient clinic was 27.8 (12.8). LDL-C (p=0.044), and HDL-C (p=0.004) levels were significantly lower in the severely ill group at the admission. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels on follow-up were significantly higher than those levels on the admission day (p<0.001). Delta (Follow up-Admission) levels LDL-C, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly high in patients who have received steroid therapy. Only delta LDL-C was significantly high in patients who require Intensive Care Unit. Conclusions: Dyslipidemia is observed in COVID-19 patients both during the disease and in the post-COVID period. Our findings also support the evidence demonstrating that low LDL-C and/or HDL-C levels can increase the risk of developing severe infections, also in COVID-19. The dynamics of lipid profiles before/during and after the entire disease course should be monitorized.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• dyslipidemia
• hyperlipidemia
• post-COVID
• Long-COVID

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