Association between “D-dimeritis” in the emergency department and COVID-19 hospital burden

This study analyzed D-dimer tests requested by the two emergency departments of the University Hospital Trust of Verona during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our findings show that the aggregate monthly number of D-dimer test requests from both emergency departments increased significantly (+39%) in 2021 compared to 2019, followed by a steady decline until 2024, when the aggregate monthly test requests were nearly threefold lower than before the pandemic. A strong association was observed between monthly D-dimer test requests and ICU admissions for COVID-19 in Verona (r=0.90; p=0.037), whereas no significant correlation was found with COVID-19 positive cases (r=0.11; p=0.855) or COVID-19 hospitalizations (r=0.70; p=0.118) in Verona. These results suggest that the heightened severity of COVID-19 cases during the early pandemic phase was a key driver of increased D-dimer test requests, while the subsequent decline may reflect reduced disease burden, improved test appropriateness through enhanced healthcare staff education, and a better understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology.