Dramatically Elevated Proteomic Risk Profiles Predict COVID-19 Severity The effects of COVID-19 are strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and disease mechanisms and have additional multi-organ effects. Despite evidence that people with existing cardiovascular disease and risk factors are generally at higher risk for severe COVID-19, traditional clinical risk factors and measurements are often insufficient in the context of acute COVID-19. Using SomaScan® to measure 7,000 proteins simultaneously, along with developed and validated tests for cardiovascular risk, we show substantial effects of circulating plasma protein changes observed within hours or days associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. Elevated cardiovascular risk prediction is predictive of COVID-19 severity and is superior to established cardiovascular clinical biomarkers. Additionally, predictive proteomic models for kidney and liver health, and models for cardiometabolic fitness, are significantly associated with COVID-19 outcomes. These results provide unique and important insight into cardiovascular disorders and multi-organ dysfunction associated with COVID-19, and broaden the applicability of proteomics into novel disease research.
Proteomics, translational, and clinical medicineCardiovascular disease, COVID-19, and exercise physiologyR-based data analysisColorado mountains and outdoor sports
