CORRELATION BETWEEN CRP LEVELS AND COVID-19 MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-established biomarker of systemic inflammation and has been associated with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. However, its role in predicting mortality among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) remains unclear.This study evaluates the correlation between CRP levels and mortality in hospitalized CLD patients with COVID-19. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 108 CLD patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: those with COVID-19 (n=56) and those with non-COVID infections (n=52). CRP levels were measured at admission, and mortality outcomes were assessed at three time points: in-hospital, one-month, and six-month follow-ups. Results: Among COVID-19 patients, elevated CRP levels (>50 mg/L) were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality (p < 0.01). Patients with CRP levels >100 mg/L had a threefold increased risk of mortality compared to those with CRP <50 mg/L.One-month and six-month mortality rates were also higher in patients with persistently elevated CRP levels. Multivariate analysis identified CRP, oxygen saturation <94%, and Child-Pugh class as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Elevated CRP levels strongly correlate with increased mortality in CLD patients hospitalized with COVID-19. CRP may serve as a valuable prognostic marker for risk stratification and early intervention in this high-risk population.