Study of Coagulation Disorders and the Prevalence of Their Related Symptoms among COVID-19 Patients in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: Introduction: The coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected millions of people around the
world. COVID-19 patients, particularly those with the critical illness, have coagulation abnormalities,
thrombocytopenia, and a high prevalence of intravascular thrombosis. Objectives: This work aims
to assess the prevalence of coagulation disorders and their related symptoms among COVID-19
patients in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods: We conducted a retrospective
study on 160 COVID-19 patients. Data were collected from the medical records department of
King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. The socio-demographic data,
risk factors, coagulation profile investigation results, symptom and sign data related to coagulation
disorders, and disease morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 patients were extracted from medical
records, and the data were stored confidentially. Results: Males represented the highest prevalence of
COVID-19 infection at 65%; 29% were aged 60 or over; 28% were smokers; and 36% were suffering
from chronic diseases, with diabetes mellitus representing the highest prevalence. Positive Ddimer results occurred in 29% of cases, with abnormal platelet counts in 26%. Conclusion: Our
findings confirm that the dysregulation of the coagulation cascade and the subsequent occurrence
of coagulation disorders are common in coronavirus infections. The results show absolute values,
not increases over normal values; thus, it is hard to justify increased risk and presence based on the
presented data.