Long Term Effect of Post-Covid-19 Syndrome on Hematological Parameters in Iraqi People

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic, which is still ongoing, has a significant effect on health care both in Iraq and worldwide. Further strain on health systems was caused by successive waves of altered viruses, further enhancing virus dissemination.  Persistent symptoms may last for several months following the initial COVID-19 infection. The illness is called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or Long COVID (PASC). Long-term COVID-19 infection can affect various organs and systems, including the hematological system, and cause many symptoms. Hematological problems have been observed in several investigations with COVID-19 individuals. Poor outcomes and an increased risk of severe disease are linked to the majority of these changes. Objective: This study aims to find the post-COVID-19 effects on the hematological parameters. Methods: This study was a case-control investigation at the Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Maysan City between October 13, 2023, and November 13, 2023. There are fifty-eight patients in all, along with fifty-eight controls. In this study, randomly selected controls were matched to patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Except for not having COVID-19 disease, the controls had to fulfill the same requirements as the cases. Clinical profiles and hematological markers were examined and contrasted between the two groups. Results: The data show no significant differences (P > 0.05) in age, BMI, and sex between cases and control group. The results confirm alterations in hematological parameters. Analysis of blood samples showed significantly a higher mean of RBC and a decline in MCHC, and MCV in comparison to the control. However, there are no significant differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters between cases and control. Mean HCT% and HGB are significantly lower for the age group 18-29 years than for 30-39 and 40-49 years and the alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The results show altered hematological parameters after 3 years of COVID-19 infection. The changes include reduced Hg, MCH, and MCHC and higher RBC values that might affect oxygen transport through the body. The alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients, indicating that males are more affected by the disease than females. In light of the increasing number of individuals with Long-COVID, more research is required to determine the precise underlying causes of the extended altered RBC and hemoglobin value among different age groups.