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Association of procalcitonin, C-reaction protein and other risk factors with mortality among COVID-19 patients in Erbil city

Tara Srood Suad
Department of Basics Science, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq.
Chato Ali Taher
Department of Basics Science, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tara Srood Suad , Chato Ali Taher (Author)

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Abstract

Background and objective: The coronavirus disease pandemic, was a serious threat to global health, which attacked the community in December 2019 without warning and had disastrous effects. Inflammatory factors are important for COVID-19 mortality. We aimed to identify potential demographic risk factors as well as the potential role of procalcitonin and other inflammatory biomarkers as indicators of severity and outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study that was conducted in Lalav Hospital, West Emergency Hospital and a Private clinical center in Erbil city, Iraq. The cases (106) were collected from August 2021 to November 2021. All included patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 through laboratory confirmation using real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Our results showed that serum procalcitonin levels were significantly higher and positively correlated with mortality in COVID-19 patients (P = 0.005). The severity of COVID-19 and abnormal serial measurements of plasma D-dimer and serum C- reactive protein levels were found to be significantly correlated (P = 0.028 and P = 0.041, respectively). Diabetes, hypertension, and advanced age were noted as risk factors.

Conclusion: Procalcitonin may be an indicator of disease severity. Serial procalcitonin measurements and the recognition of potential risk factors are crucial for predicting the prognosis among COVID-19 patients.

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How to Cite
Srood Suad , T., & Ali Taher, C. (2025). Association of procalcitonin, C-reaction protein and other risk factors with mortality among COVID-19 patients in Erbil city . Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (Zanco J Med Sci), 29(1), 99–109. https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2025.011

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