Association of Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels with COVID-19 Severity: Insights from a Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Greece

Objective: To examine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Northern Greece. Methods: A ret-rospective analysis was performed using data from 208 COVID-19 patients. Lipid profiles [including LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), HDL (high-density lipoprotein cho-lesterol), and triglycerides], prior antilipidemic treatment, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 19. Patients: 208 COVID-19 patients from Northern Greece. Results: The mean LDL level was 84.12 mg/dL, with no significant differences observed between survivors and non-survivors. Prior an-tilipidemic treatment did not significantly affect outcomes. Elevated triglyceride levels were noted in obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and lower HDL levels were associated with higher CRP (C-reactive protein) levels. Although LDL levels declined over time in non-survivors, this decrease was not statistically significant. Longitudinal analysis showed normalization of LDL levels post-recovery, while HDL levels remained persis-tently low. Conclusion: Despite observable alterations in lipid profiles, their prognostic significance in this cohort was limited. These findings highlight the need for further in-vestigation into the role of lipid metabolism in the pathophysiology of COVID-19.