Lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein as predictors of severity and prognosis in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iraqi patients

The Objective of the Study:-To estimate whether the initial C-reactive protein (CRP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are able to act as markers of severity and prognosis in COVID-19 adult patients. Patients and Method:  This cross sectional study was conducted in the Marjan medical teaching city during the period from January 2021 to augest2021. 100 Patients who complained from fever or chest symptoms were enrolled after laboratory confirmation of COVID19 via RT-PCR. Chest computed tomography scan(CT) was then performed to classify the patients into mild, moderate and severe, critical pneumonia groups according to world health organization(WHO)classification, initial plasma CRP level and LDH level were measured for all patients. Follow up and documentation were done for all patients. A thoracic radiologist interprets chest CT scan and produces a structured report. An informed written consent was obtained from each participant. Results: Cross sectional study of 100 cases with COVID 19 infection, mean age of patients (51.6 ± 15.5) years.51%are females and 49%  are male, (79%) of patients admitted to hospital and then get well and discharged,16% died. CRP and LDH increase in complicated patients with COVID 19 infection.  Critical cases have high LDH than other types of severity.&nbsp