The International Tinnitus Journal

Predictive role of IL-6 and NLR in screening Covid-19 patients with and without anosmia

Author(s): Amer Salih Khalaf*, Ammar Mohammed Alwan, Maysam adnan mezher, Nada khaleel Yaseen, Rasheed Ali Rashid

Background: In COVID-19 patients, a correlation was proposed between Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), IL-6 stages, and cytokine storm syndrome. Larger NLR and IL-6 concentrations are associated with faster case development and a greater likelihood of complications. However, the progression of the illness is milder in COVID-19 instances with anosmia. Objective: The objective of conducted research is detection predictive roles of IL-6 and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) markers in screening Covid-19 sufferers with and without anosmia. Material and Methods: The present investigation was occurred at Salah Al-Din Teaching Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq ‏ for period; January- June of 2022. 90 nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were collected from individuals who visit to hospital after discovered them by the specialist physician. COVID-19 patients were divided into two groups based on the incidence of anosmia. 45 blood samples were harvested from healthy individuals that considered them as a control group. Ages of study groups ranged from 8 to 85 years old. Corona virus infection was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), NLR by Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine, and IL-6 by Sandwich-ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immmunosorbent Assay) in study groups. Our results were analyzed by SPSS v. 23.0 and Graph pad prism v.6 statistical software programs. Results: Results of current study showed the age period 41-60 years scored highest percentages in all groups;(anosmia, without anosmia, and controls) while age period >80 scored lowest percentages in all groups with significant differences (p<0.5). Based on gender, males scored highest percentages in all groups than females with non-significant differences (p>0.05). Interleukin -6 (IL-6) scored significant (p<0.05) highest mean levels in patients without anosmia, followed by patients with anosmia, and then controls. On other hand, present investigation showed NLR scored statistical (p<0.05) highest mean levels in patients with anosmia, followed by patients without anosmia, and then controls. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve results showed the IL-6 and NLR indicators scored statistically (p<0.05) highest sensitivity (91% and 84%) and specificity (100% and 81%) at cut off values (>38.5 and >1.87) in diagnosis patients without anosmia. In similarity, ROC curve results showed the IL-6 and NLR indicators scored significant (p<0.05) highest sensitivity (91% and 90%) and specificity (71% and 89%) at cut off values (>34.63 and >1.99) in detection patients with anosmia. Finally, pearson correlation coefficient results showed there is positive significant correlation (r= 0.769** and P<0.01**) between IL-6 and NLR markers in Covid-19 patients. Conclusions: Anosmia is positive correlate with age progression in Covid-19 patients. Levels of IL-6 and NLR markers are strong association with anosmia in patients. These markers can inserted within laboratory profile in diagnosis Covid-19 patients (with and without anosmia) due it have high sensitivity and specificity. Finally, there is positive correlation between IL-6 and NLR.

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