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Kaushal K, Kaur H, Sarma P, Bhattacharyya A, Sharma DJ, Prajapat M, Pathak M, Kothari A, Kumar S, Rana S, Kaur M, Prakash A, Mirza AA, Panda PK, Vivekanandan S, Omar BJ, Medhi B, Naithani M. Serum ferritin as a predictive biomarker in COVID-19. A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis. J Crit Care 2021; 67:172-181. [PMID: 34808527 PMCID: PMC8604557 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2021.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin is a known inflammatory biomarker in COVID-19. However, many factors and co-morbidities can confound the level of serum ferritin. This current metaanalysis evaluates serum ferritin level in different severity levels in COVID-19. Studies evaluating serum ferritin level in different clinical contexts (COVID-19 vs. control, mild to moderate vs. severe to critical, non-survivor vs. survivor, organ involvement, ICU and mechanical ventilation requirement) were included (total 9 literature databases searched). Metaanalysis and metaregression was carried out using metaphor “R” package. Compared to control (COVID-19 negative), higher ferritin levels were found among the COVID-19 patients [SMD −0.889 (95% C.I. −1.201, −0.577), I2 = 85%]. Severe to critical COVID-19 patients showed higher ferritin levels compared to mild to moderate COVID-19 patients [SMD 0.882 (0.738, 1.026), I2 = 85%]. In meta-regression, high heterogeneity was observed could be attributed to difference in “mean age”, and “percentage of population with concomitant co-morbidities”. Non-survivors had higher serum ferritin level compared to survivors [SMD 0.992 (0.672, 1.172), I2 = 92.33%]. In meta-regression, high heterogeneity observed could be attributed to difference in “mean age” and “percentage of male sex”. Patients requiring ICU [SMD 0.674 (0.515 to 0.833), I2 = 80%] and mechanical ventilation [SMD 0.430 (0.258, 0.602), I2 = 32%] had higher serum ferritin levels compared to those who didn't. To conclude, serum ferritin level may serve as an important biomarker which can aid in COVID-19 management. However, presence of other co-morbid conditions/confounders warrants cautious interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hardeep Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Phulen Sarma
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Dibya Jyoti Sharma
- Department of Internal medicine, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, India
| | | | - Mona Pathak
- Department of Research & Development, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | | | - Subodh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | | | | | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
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