Possible Overlap of Laboratory Findings Between Patients with COVID-19 and Substance Use Disorders

It is important that clinicians must be aware of possible overlap of the laboratory-based blood tests in people who use drugs (PWUD) and patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to avoid overlooking or over-diagnosis of patients. The most common blood findings of the COVID-19 are lymphopenia (75.9%), leukopenia (31.1%), thrombocytopenia (32.8%), while elevated lactate dehydrogenase (45.9%), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (24.6%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (22.4%), creatinine kinase (CK) (14.7%) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (1, 2). There is also a suggestion that lymphopenia due to decreases in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells might be a critical factor associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality (3). Overlap of laboratory findings between PWUD and patients with COVID-19 is noticeable and should be considered in the clinical management of patients.