Increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase and hypertension are associated with severe illness of COVID-19

Table 1 Characteristics of the patients (n = 140)

Characteristic	Mild illness (n = 114)	Severe illness (n = 26)	P value
Age (yr, %)	43.2 ± 14.0	54.7 ± 13.8	0.98
Female (n, %)	56 (49.1)	9 (34.6)	0.20
Comorbidities (n)
Hypertension	22 (19.3)	10 (38.5)	0.07
Diabetes	5 (4.4)	1 (3.8)	1.0
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	3 (2.6)	0	1.0
Chronic renal failure	0	2 (7.7)	1.0
Coronary heart disease	1 (0.9)	2 (7.7)	0.09
Malignant tumor	2 (1.8)	2 (7.7)	0.16
Hepatitis B	10 (8.8)	3 (11.5)	0.71
Connective tissue disease	1 (0.9)	0	0.08
Gout	2 (1.8)	1 (3.8)	0.46
Symptoms (n, %)
Fever	86 (75.4)	24 (92.3)	0.06
Cough	61 (53.5)	21 (80.8)	0.01
Expectoration	34 (29.8)	17 (65.4)	< 0.01
Fatigue	15 (13.2)	5 (19.2)	0.53
Chest pain	2 (1.8)	2 (7.7)	0.16
Myalgia	8 (7.0)	2 (7.7)	1.0
Headache	5 (4.4)	1 (3.8)	1.0
Sore throat	14 (12.3)	2 (7.7)	0.74
Shortness of breath	7 (6.1)	8 (30.8)	< 0.01
Diarrhea	12 (10.5)	2 (7.7)	1.0

Table 2 Laboratory test results of the patients (n = 140)

	Mild illness (n = 114)	Severe illness (n = 26)	P value
Leukocyte count (× 109/L)	5.01 ± 1.85	4.67 ± 1.84	0.398
Neutrophil count (× 109/L)	3.15 ± 1.41	3.55 ± 1.88	0.308
Lymphocyte count (× 109/L)	1.4 ± 0.59	0.74 ± 0.31	< 0.001
Hemoglobin (g/L)	136.13 ± 14.43	130.73 ± 15.18	0.09
Platelet count (× 109/L)	201.48 ± 72.45	164.35 ± 62.69	0.017
Alanine aminotransferase (U/L)	29.26 ± 29.67	35.69 ± 25.43	0.309
Aspartate transaminase (U/L)	27.97 ± 17.45	41.54 ± 26.22	0.017
Total serum protein (g/L)	70.27 ± 5.08	65.38 ± 5.19	< 0.001
Albumin (g/L)	45.71 ± 33.39	37.42 ± 3.55	0.209
Prealbumin (g/L)	198.66 ± 50.55	123.13 ± 47.11	< 0.001
Blood urea nitrogen (mmol/L)	3.71 ± 5.96	5.96 ± 10.91	0.303
Blood creatinine (μmol/L)	172.63 ± 34.15	159.24 ± 433.95	0.319
Blood uric acid (μmol/L)	241.84 ± 89.51	194.92 ± 96.27	0.019
Creatine kinase (U/L)	103.54 ± 180.73	211.49 ± 379.39	0.168
Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L)	202.94 ± 63.87	299.35 ± 68.82	< 0.001
C-reactive protein (mg/L)	14.61 ± 19.35	52.48 ± 29.63	< 0.001
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h)	23.68 ± 14.36	33.25 ± 15.00	0.003
Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (kPa)	13.23 ± 4.00	11.06 ± 2.91	0.01
Oxygenation index (mmHg)	460.80 ± 138.71	324.62 ± 61.52	< 0.001

Table 3 Radiologic characteristics of the patients (n = 140)

	Mild illness (n = 114)	Severe illness (n = 26)	P value
Affected sites (n, %)
Left upper lobe	90 (78.9)	16 (61.5)	0.08
Left lower lobe	107 (93.9)	23 (88.5)	0.39
Right upper lobe	86 (75.4)	14 (53.8)	0.052
Right middle lobe	73 (64.0)	19 (73.1)	0.49
Right lower lobe	105 (92.1)	22 (84.6)	0.26
Bilateral lungs	109 (95.6)	26 (100.0)	0.58
Features (n, %)
Irregular patches	110 (96.5)	23 (88.5)	0.12
Ground-glass opacity	90 (78.9)	6 (23.1)	< 0.0001
Consolidation	29 (25.4)	26 (100.0)	< 0.0001
Nodules	12 (10.5)	0	0.12
Wedge-shaped opacity	1 (0.9)	4 (15.4)	0.004
Pleural effusion	3 (2.6)	8 (30.8)	< 0.0001