The effect of thrombocytopenia in coronavirus disease patients in comparison with patients with normal platelet count

Abstract Background Known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is a new coronavirus illness [coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)], it spreads quickly over the world. Patients with COVID-19 frequently have changes in platelet count. The platelet count is a highly useful clinical tool for tracking patients with aggressive viral infections who have rapidly changing health conditions since it is a sensitive indicator of sickness severity. Aim To study thrombocytopenia as a prognostic factor in COVID-19 patients and its relation with the length of hospital stay and prognosis. Patients and methods A total of 60 COVID-19 patients were involved in the prospective study during the period from June 2020 to December 2020 who were admitted to the isolation hospital, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Then for each patient, complete blood count at admission was done, repeated on day 7, day 14, and day 21. Patients were followed regarding the length of hospital stay and mortality. Results Out of 60 patients, 10 (16.6%) patients were thrombocytopenic. The length of hospital stay was significantly higher in a thrombocytopenic group. There was a high statistically significant difference between the normal platelets count group and the thrombocytopenic groups regarding outcome ( P <0.001). In thrombocytopenic patients, five (50%) showed deterioration, four (40%) patients died and one patient in this group showed complete recovery. Conclusion Thrombocytopenia is associated with increased length of hospital stay and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.