Differential Haematological and Inflammatory Markers in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has proved difficult to contain in terms of transmission due to the high number of individuals who are asymptomatic. Knowledge about these changes in haematological and inflammatory markers in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients is important for better diagnosis and further public health management. Methods The present study is a retrospective cohort study that aimed to assess the immunological profile of 100 COVID-19 patients attending Faisalabad Teaching Hospital, Pakistan. The differences between marked haematological and inflammatory markers that consist of haemoglobin, red blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, c-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and between those with symptoms and those who are asymptomatic were analysed. The results were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U Test since the data distribution proved to be non–parametric and the accepted level of significance was fixed at 0. 05. Results CRP, LDH, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, and total leukocyte count were significantly higher among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients, proving that the immune response is stronger in symptomatic patients. There were no significant differences in haemoglobin, platelets, eosinophil percentage, and monocyte percentage in the two groups. Conclusion The highlighted demographic, inflammatory, and haematological differences between symptomatic COVID-19 cases can be applied towards optimizing clinical treatment strategies and formulating relevant public health guidelines. This work has highlighted the need to employ specific diagnostic strategies in relation to various presentations of the patients.