Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study conducted at Yulin Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Yulin, SN, CHN), we aimed to investigate the predictive role of CX3CL1 and D-dimer for mortality in hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Complete blood counts and inflammatory cytokine levels were collected at admission from hospitalized COPD patients with COVID-19 to explore the relationship between inflammatory parameters and mortality of COPD patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: Compared to severe COPD with COVID-19 patients, circulating biomarkers of CX3CL1 (453.3 vs. 305.3 pg/mL, p<0.01) and D-dimer (1231.8 ng/mL vs. 680 ng/mL, p<0.01) were significantly elevated in critical illness participants. The C indices of inflammatory biomarkers CX3CL1 and D-dimer were 0.78 and 0.68, respectively. Furthermore, the prolonged illness of COPD patients with COVID-19 was associated with circulating inflammatory biomarkers of CX3CL1 (p=0.021) and D-dimer (p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Circulating inflammatory biomarkers of CX3CL1 and D-dimer have shown the potential to predict mortality among COPD patients with severe COVID-19. Monitoring CX3CL1 and D-dimer levels could enhance clinical decision-making and risk stratification, potentially guiding more effective treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.