As per the findings from a study published in “Scientific Reports”, the COVID-19 lab score can readily estimate mortality risk in hospitalized patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Researchers carried out this retrospective, multicentre, observational study to determine the laboratory predictors of mortality in coronavirus infection that can aid to identify high-risk patients.

The study recruited all individuals (n=893, median age 68.2 ± 15.2 years) admitted to the hospital due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The laboratory biomarkers that contributed with considerable predictive value for estimating mortality to the clinical model were incorporated. The cut-off points were established, and the creation of a risk score was done. 

In total, 87 (9.7%) subjects were hospitalized to the intensive care unit, 72 (8.1%) subjects required mechanical ventilation support, and 171 (19.1%) subjects died. Based on the multivariate logistic regression model, a COVID-19 lab score ranging from 0 to 30 points was determined to estimate mortality with a weighted score. It included D-dimer, C-reactive protein, haemoglobin, lymphocytes, interleukin-6, erythrocytes, lactate dehydrogenase, leukocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, and procalcitonin.

The participants were segregated into low mortality risk group (less than 12 points),  moderate risk (12-18 points), and high-risk group (19 or more points). Substantial mortality differences were noted between the groups, as shown in the figure below:

The C-statistic was found to be 0–85 (0.82–0.88) while the Hosmer–Lemeshow p-value was 0.63. Thus, the COVID-19 lab score, a simple and dynamic score, can be easily replicated. It could aid healthcare professionals to accurately assess the risk of adverse outcomes, and also recognize high-risk patients to foresee clinical deterioration.