Serum neurofilament light chain in COVID-19 and the influence of renal function

© 2023. The Author(s)..

COVID-19 is associated with various neurological symptoms. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a robust marker for neuroaxonal injury. Recent studies have shown that elevated levels of sNfL are associated with unfavorable outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, neuroaxonal injury is rare in COVID-19, and renal dysfunction and hypoxia, both of which are known in severe COVID-19, can also increase sNfL levels. Thus, the meaning and mechanisms of sNfL elevation in COVID-19 patients remain unclear. We evaluated sNfL levels in 48 patients with COVID-19 (mean age = 63 years) and correlated them to clinical outcome, the form of oxygen therapy, and creatinine. Levels of sNfL were age adjusted and compared with normal values and z-scores. COVID-19 patients treated with nasal cannula had normal sNfL levels (mean sNfL = 19.6 pg/ml) as well as patients with high-flow treatment (mean sNfL = 40.8 pg/ml). Serum NfL levels were statistically significantly higher in COVID-19 patients treated with mechanical ventilation on intensive care unit (ICU) (mean sNfL = 195.7 pg/ml, p < 0.01). There was a strong correlation between sNfL elevation and unfavorable outcome in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.01). However, serum creatinine levels correlated directly and similarly with sNfL elevation and with unfavorable outcome in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.01). Additionally, multivariate analysis for serum creatinine and sNfL showed that both variables are jointly associated with clinical outcomes. Our results identify renal dysfunction as an important possible confounder for sNfL elevation in COVID-19. Thus, serum creatinine and renal dysfunction should be strongly considered in studies evaluating sNfL as a biomarker in COVID-19.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2023

Erschienen:

2023

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:28

Enthalten in:

European journal of medical research - 28(2023), 1 vom: 28. Sept., Seite 389

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Körtvelyessy, Peter [VerfasserIn]
Diekämper, Elena [VerfasserIn]
Ruprecht, Klemens [VerfasserIn]
Endres, Matthias [VerfasserIn]
Stubbemann, Paula [VerfasserIn]
Kurth, Florian [VerfasserIn]
Graw, Jan Adriaan [VerfasserIn]
Menk, Mario [VerfasserIn]
Kuhle, Jens [VerfasserIn]
Wohlrab, Felix [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

AYI8EX34EU
Biomarker
Biomarkers
COVID-19
Creatinine
Journal Article
Neurofilament light chain

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 27.11.2023

Date Revised 27.11.2023

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1186/s40001-023-01375-1

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM362671540