Narra J
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): April 2026

Development and diagnostic performance of a novel scoring system for predicting COVID-19 severity in a national referral hospital

Rikarni Rikarni (Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, Indonesia
Department of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Pandang, Indonesia)

Najirman Najirman (Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, Indonesia
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)

Dwi Yulia (Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, Indonesia
Department of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Pandang, Indonesia)

Ricvan D. Nindrea (Department of Education and Research, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang Indonesia
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)

Muhammad AP. Yudha (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Amalina Amalina (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Apr 2026

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shows a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild illness to severe and critical disease. Early identification of patients at risk of deterioration remains important for timely clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to develop a novel scoring system for predicting COVID-19 severity in a national referral hospital. This prospective cohort study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, Indonesia, from May to December 2021. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and disease severity was classified according to the World Health Organization criteria. Univariate analysis was performed to identify candidate variables, followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine independent predictors of severity. A scoring system was then constructed based on the retained predictors, and its diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Youden index. Five variables were independently associated with COVID-19 severity: white blood cell count (WBC) ≥10,000/mm3, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) <1,500/mm3, platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) ≥30%, interleukin-6 (IL-6) ≥7 pg/mL, and D-dimer ≥500 ng/mL. These variables were incorporated into a scoring system with a maximum total score of 6. Using a cut-off score of 3.5, the model showed a sensitivity of 96.15% and a specificity of 79.03% for differentiating severe from non-severe COVID-19. This study highlights that a novel scoring system based on WBC, ALC, PLCR, IL-6, and D-dimer performed well in predicting COVID-19 severity and may support early risk stratification in hospitalized patients.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

main

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Narra J is a multidisciplinary journal and it is published three times (April, August, December) a year. The objective is to promote articles on infection, public health, global health, tropical infection, one health and diseases in tropics. Narra J publishes original research work across all ...