Paper Title
HEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH COVID 19 INFECTION

Abstract
Abstract – Background - Diabetic patients have been severely affected by Covid 19 infection. It has been reported that the disease is more progressive leading to venous and arterial thromboembolism, due to multiple factors. This study was conducted to determine hematologic parameters including D-dimer in diabetic patients with Covid -19 infection in association with disease severity and treatment. Method - This retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia after taking IRB approval, by collecting data regarding all hematological laboratory parameters, disease severity, and anticoagulant treatment ofCovid 19 diabetic patients (n=159) from medical records from March-December 2020. Result - Mean value of White Blood Cells, Neutrophils, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Lymphocyte Monocyte Ratio, C reactive protein, Serum ferritin, and LDH levels was elevated in severe cases than mild cases with statistical significant increase in HbA1c (0.047),Serum fibrinogen (0.007), C reactive protein (0.005), Serumferritin (0.034), and serum LDH (0.015).Mortality was observed in 14 (8.8%) patients and all of thesehad severe covid-19 with Diabetes.In our study, treatment with low molecular weight heparin was not significantly related to severity. Conclusion - The routine blood parameters if detected early will enable physicians to identify severe cases of Covid -19 patients with Diabetes for prompt treatment and save considerable time and resources. Keywords - Covid-19, Diabetes, Haematology, Parameters