Abstract

Aim: Thrombotic pathologies develop at an increasing rate in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Understanding the pathologies that cause thrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection is important for developing prophylaxis strategies for the development of thrombosis and regulating treatment in cases of thrombosis. For all these reasons, we aimed to evaluate the levels of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a Thrombospondin Type-1 Motif Member 13 (ADAMTS13), in SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Material and Methods: The data of patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit due to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) with lung involvement, who received respiratory support and pulse steroid therapy, and those who were followed up as outpatients without lung involvement were analyzed. Demographic data, laboratory results, and serum ADAMTS13 levels were recorded. These results were compared with those of the control group.

Results: ADAMTS13 levels were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group without lung involvement than in the control group (p=0.037). ADAMTS13 levels were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group with lung involvement than in the control group (p=0.016). There was no difference in ADAMTS13 levels between COVID-19 patients with and without lung involvement (p=0.797). There was no significant difference in ADAMTS13 levels between patients with and without chronic diseases in the COVID-19 group (p=0.40 for those without lung involvement; p=0.573 for those with lung involvement).

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 caused a decrease in ADAMTS13 levels. ADAMTS13 levels were decreased more in patients with lung involvement than in those without lung involvement. Decreased ADAMTS13 levels in COVID-19 may be a cause of the prothrombotic process.