Ct, IL-18 Polymorphism, and Laboratory Biomarkers for Predicting Chemosensory Dysfunctions and Mortality in COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: Patients with COVID-19 often experience chemosensory dysfunction. This research intends to uncover the association of RT-PCR Ct value with chemosensory dysfunctions and SpO₂. This study also aims to investigate Ct, SpO₂, CRP, D-dimer, and -607 IL-18 T/G polymorphism in order to find out predictors of chemosensory dysfunctions and mortality. Materials & methods: This study included 120 COVID-19 patients, of which 54 were mild, 40 were severe and 26 were critical. CRP, D-dimer, RT-PCR, and IL-18 polymorphism were evaluated. Results & conclusion: Low Ct was associated with SpO₂ dropping and chemosensory dysfunctions. IL-18 T/G polymorphism did not show an association with COVID-19 mortality; conversely, age, BMI, D-dimer and Ct values did.

Plain Language Summary

This research intends to uncover the association of RT-PCR Ct value with GD, OD, and SpO₂. It also aims to investigate Ct, SpO₂, CRP, D-dimer and -607 IL-18 T/G polymorphism as predictors of chemosensory dysfunctions and mortality. This study included 120 COVID-19 patients, of which 54 were mild, 40 were severe and 26 were critical. Low Ct was associated with SpO₂ dropping, GD, and OD. IL-18 T/G polymorphism did not show an association with COVID-19 mortality, conversely, age, BMI, D-dimer and Ct values did.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• chemosensory dysfunctions
• COVID-19
• cyclic threshold
• polymorphism and predictors

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at:www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2144/fsoa-2022-0082

Author contributions

All authors contributed equally to this manuscript. SW Smail performed sample collection and data analysis. The serum laboratory biomarkers were measured by E Babaei. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript. K Amin wrote the manuscript draft and supervised the conception of this study.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Biolab-Erbil, Iraq, for logistical support.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study was approved by the ethical committee of Salahaddin University (registration no.: R122-015; 97 approved on 29 April 2021) that follows the Declaration of Helsinki. Every participant was asked their permission prior to the study. If they cannot sign due to inability, we asked their legal companions.