Sex-Specific Hemostatic Responses and Diagnostic Potential of Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and D-Dimer in Mild COVID-19, Malaria, and Co-Infection in a Tropical Setting: A Case-Control Study in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The study examined sex-specific differences in blood markers among patients with COVID-19, malaria, and co-infection in Nigeria. A total of 220 participants aged 20-65 years were divided into four groups of 55 each. Results showed that PDW (platelet distribution width) was significantly elevated in all infected groups compared to controls (values 15.21 fL in malaria and COVID-19 versus 13.26 fL in healthy individuals). D-dimer was highest in patients with both infections simultaneously (553.42 ng/ml). Males had significantly higher D-dimer and fibrinogen levels than females. Sex had a greater influence on these markers than age. The authors concluded that PDW and D-dimer are promising and cost-effective biomarkers for screening mild infections in resource-limited settings.