Low platelet count is associated with an increased risk of severe disease and mortality in patients with COVID-19

Objectives:
Is there a difference in platelet count between COVID-19 patients with or without severe disease and is thrombocytopenia associated with severe COVID-19?

Study design:
This review article included 9 studies with 1,779 COVID-19 patients, of which 399 (22.4%) with severe disease.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found pooled analysis revealed that platelet count was significantly lower in patients with more severe COVID-19 [WMD = -31 × 109/L, 95% CI = -35 to -29 × 109/L, I2 = 92%, p 0.001].

The investigators found in a subgroup analysis comparing patients by survival, an even lower platelet count for mortality [WMD = -48 × 109/L, 95% CI = -57 to -39 × 109/L, I2 = 91%, p 0.001].

The investigators found in 4 studies (n = 1,427) which reported data on rate of thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count was associated with over fivefold enhanced risk of severe COVID-19 [OR = 5.1, 95% CI = 1.8 to14.6].

The investigators concluded low platelet count is associated with an increased risk of severe disease and mortality in patients with COVID-19 and thus should serve as clinical indicator of worsening illness during hospitalization.

Original title:
Thrombocytopenia is associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections: A meta-analysis by Lippi G, Plebani M and Henry BM.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102663/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on coronavirus right here.

A normal platelet count in blood ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter in a healthy person. It is considered a low platelet count if this count falls below 150,000 per microlitre.

Platelets help to clot blood by forming plugs in the holes of the blood vessels. On average, platelets can survive for 5-9 days