Objective:

To evaluate the association between glucose level at admission and circulating levels of D-dimers in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods:

187 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were studied. Biochemical characteristics, glucose and D-dimers levels, severity of disease, defined by the presence of pneumonia and/or respiratory failure that required invasive mechanical ventilation (IVM) and the cause of hospital discharge were evaluated.

Results:

Age was 52 years, 68% were male, 40.8% with obesity and 23.5% with hypertension. Of the total of hospitalized patients, 45.5% had diabetes or hyperglycemia upon admission. Patients with diabetes and/or admission hyperglycemia had higher levels of protein C-reactive and D-dimers [(1134 (646.5-4135.0) vs. 755 (548.7-1780.0) ng/ml, p = 0.04], compared to patients with normal glucose level. Patients who required IMV also had a higher concentration of D-dimers. A correlation between glucose and D-dimers levels was evidenced (r=0.239, p=0.003).

Conclusions:

In patients with COVID-19, the hyperglycemic state is directly associated with an increase in the concentration of D-dimers and severity of disease. The results of this study should lead to insisting on glycemic control as a fundamental strategy in patients with COVID-19.