ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation between the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) and blood groups and the Rh factor. METHOD: A total of 313 patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine clinic, at the intensive care unit (ICU) were included in the study. The cases were divided into two groups: those who were COVID-19 positive and those negative, detected with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. The demographic, clinical, ABO blood groups, and Rh factor data of the cases were obtained from the hospital records retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of COVID-19 positive (+) cases was 57.74±16 years and of COVID-19 negative (-) cases, 66.41±15 years. The difference was significant (p<0.001); there was no difference between the two groups in terms of sex (p=0.634). When age was categorically separated in COVID-19 (+) cases, χ2 was extremely significant. Among the ABO blood groups of COVID-19 (+) and (-) cases, χ2 was 4.975 (p=0.174). In the logistic regression, it was 4.1 (p=0.011) in the O blood group. COVID-19 positive test was determined as 13, 4, and 4 times higher in the 31–40, 41–50, and 51–60 age groups, respectively (p=0.001, p=0.010, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The incidence of COVID-19 has increased in the younger population and in the O blood group. Our findings support that, in this population, the ABO blood groups can contribute to the early detection of COVID-19.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o papel da razão neutrófilos/linfócitos (RNL), um marcador de inflamação, hemograma completo e parâmetros bioquímicos no diagnóstico de COVID-19. MÉTODOS Um total de 80 pacientes internados na clínica médica foram incluídos no estudo. Os casos foram alocados em dois grupos, COVID (+) e (-), de acordo com a reação em cadeia da polimerase com transcrição reversa em tempo real. Os dados demográficos, clínicos e laboratoriais [NLR, relação plaquetas / linfócitos (PLR), hemograma completo, bioquímica e sorologia]) dos pacientes foram obtidos retrospectivamente no sistema de gerenciamento de dados hospitalares. RESULTADOS Os níveis de NLR e febre foram maiores nos casos de COVID-19 (+) (P = 0,021, P = 0,001,respectivamente). Não houve diferença entre homens e mulheres em relação à positividade para COVID-19 (P = 0,527). Os níveis totais de bilirrubina foram menores nos casos de COVID-19 (+) (P = 0,040). Quando a análise ROC foi realizada para NLR nos casos COVID-19 (+), o valor da AUC foi de 0,660 (P = 0,021), sensibilidade 69,01%, especificidade 65,40%, LR +: 1,98 e LR-: 0,48 , PPV: 80,43 e NPV: 50,00 quando o NLR era> 2,4. The risk of COVID-19 was found to be 20.3-fold greater when NLR was ≥ 2.4 in the logistic regression (P=0.007). CONCLUSÃO NLR é um preditor independente para o diagnóstico de COVID-19. Também concluímos que aferições de febre e bilirrubina total podem ser úteis para o diagnóstico de COVID-19 nesta população.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammation marker, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters in the diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS A total of 80 patients who had been hospitalized in the internal medicine clinic were enrolled in the study. The cases were allocated into two groups, i.e., COVID (+) and (-), based on real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory [NLR, platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), complete blood count, biochemistry, and serology] data of the patients were retrospectively obtained from the hospital data management system. RESULTS NLR and fever levels were found to be higher in COVID-19 (+) cases (P=0.021, P=0.001, respectively). There was no difference between males and females with regard to COVID-19 positivity (P=0.527). Total bilirubin levels were found to be lower in COVID-19 (+) cases (P=0.040). When the ROC analysis was carried out for NLR in COVID-19 (+) cases, the AUC value was found to be 0.660 (P=0.021), sensitivity as 69.01 %, specificity as 65.40 %, LR+: 1.98 and LR- : 0.48, PPV: 80.43, and NPV: 50.00, when the NLR was ≥2.4. The risk of COVID-19 was found to be 20.3-fold greater when NLR was ≥ 2.4 in the logistic regression (P=0.007). CONCLUSION NLR is an independent predictor for the diagnosis of COVID-19. We also found that fever and total bilirubin measurements could be useful for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in this population.