Longitudinal evaluation of lipid profile and biochemical parameters in hypertensive patients across three phases of COVID-19 infection
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in lipid profiles and biochemical parameters in patients with hypertension across three stages: pre-infection, acute COVID-19 infection, and post-infection.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 hypertensive patients (average age 66.07±12.02 years; 55.8% male) admitted to a hospital in Gaziantep province. The same patient data were collected from three distinct periods: before COVID-19 diagnosis, during hospitalization for acute COVID-19, and after recovery. Parameters included Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, glucose, electrolytes (Na, K), liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and coagulation markers (PTZ, INR). Statistical significance was assessed across the three time points.
Results: A statistically significant difference was found only in Sodium (Na) levels across the three periods (p<0.05). Although not statistically significant, distinct trends were observed: VLDL and TG levels showed a consistent increase from pre-to-post infection. Conversely, HDL-C, Potassium (K), PTZ, and INR levels demonstrated a decreasing trend. LDL-C and Total Cholesterol reached their lowest levels during the acute phase, while AST, ALT, Glucose, and eGFR reached their peak during the acute infection.
Conclusion: Acute COVID-19 infection affects lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients. The decrease in protective HDL and the increase in TG suggest a shift towards an atherogenic profile that persists until the recovery phase. Simultaneously, COVID-19 infection causes significant fluctuations in electrolyte balance (sodium) and triggers clinically insignificant but pronounced trends in lipid metabolism. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and metabolic monitoring in this high-risk patient group.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Project Number
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Cui, J, Li F, ShinZL. Origin and evolution of pathogenic coronaviruses. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2019;17(3):181-192. doi: 10.1038/s41579-018-0118-9
- Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, et al. China Novel Coronavirus Investigating and Research Team. A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J M.d, 2020;382(8):727-733 doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001017
- Murillo A, Vera-Estrella, R, Barkla BJ, et al. Identification of host cell factors associated with astrovirus replication in Caco-2 cells. Journal of Virology. 2015;89(20):10359-10370. doi:10.1128/JVI.01225-15
- Rothan HA, Byrareddy SN. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Journal of Autoimmunity. 2020;109:102433. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102433
- Abu-Farha M, Thanaraj TA, Qaddoumi MG, et al. The role of lipid metabolism in COVID-19 virus infection and as a drug target. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(10):3544. doi: 10.3390/ijms21103544
- Kearney PM, Whelton M, Reynolds K, et al. Global burden of hypertension: analysis of worldwide data. The Lancet. 2005;365(9455):217-223. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17741-1
- Klopfenstein T, Kadiane-Oussou NJ, Toko L, et al. Features of anosmia in COVID-19. Médecine et Maladies infectieuses. 2020;50(5):436-439. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2020.04.006
- Barman, HA, Pala AS, Dogan O, et al. Prognostic significance of temporal changes of lipid profile in COVID-19 patients. Obesity Medicine. 2021;28:100373. doi: 10.1016/j.obmed.2021.100373
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Clinical Chemistry
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Müzeyyen Budak
This is me
0000-0001-8568-4656
Türkiye
Meltem Güngör
*
0000-0002-8062-1610
Türkiye
Sevgi Eskiocak
0000-0002-0813-2345
Türkiye
İlyas Gökşen
0009-0003-0753-4101
Türkiye
Sevim Eda Karabacak
This is me
0000-0003-3106-9126
Türkiye
Pınar Günel
0000-0000-0000-0001
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 27, 2026
Submission Date
January 30, 2026
Acceptance Date
July 17, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 3