June 3, 2020

Lymphopenia in Severe Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Huang and Pranata conducted a meta-analysis of lymphocyte count and severity of COVID-19 disease. Results from 24 studies suggest that patients with poor clinical outcomes have a lower lymphocyte count (mean difference – 361.06 μL) compared to those with good outcomes. This finding persisted in subgroup analysis, which revealed lower lymphocyte counts in patients who died, experienced acute respiratory distress syndrome, and were admitted to ICU. Lymphopenia was significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (OR 3.70, 95%CI: 2.44, 5.63) 

Huang and Pranata. (May 24, 2020). Lymphopenia in Severe Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Intensive Care. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-020-00453-4