Prognostic value of albumin-to-globulin ratio in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Juan R. Ulloque‐Badaracco, Melany D. Mosquera-Rojas, Enrique A. Hernández-Bustamante, Esteban A. Alarcón‐Braga, Percy Herrera‐Añazco, Vicente A. Benítes-Zapata
Abstract
Background and aims: The albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) has been used to predict severity and mortality in infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of the AGR in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. We included observational studies assessing the association between the AGR values upon hospital admission and severity or all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients. In the meta-analyses we used random effect models. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The effect measures were expressed as mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). We performed Egger's test and funnel plots to assess the publication bias. Results: = 5%). Conclusions: Low AGR values upon hospital admission were found in COVID-19 patients with a worse prognosis.