Retrospective comparison of the sociodemographic, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings of probable and definitive COVID-19 cases

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to determine the number of possible and precise cases among the patients hospitalized in our clinic and to examine the differences between the sociodemographic, clinical, chest CT and laboratory findings of these two groups. Materials and methods: The data of all patients hospitalized at the department of pulmonology service between March 13 as the date of the first case and May 5 with probable and definitive COVID-19 were evaluated retrospectively. Patient ward files and hospital data management system were examined. Chest CT findings of the patients were interpreted by two radiologists separately according to the CO-RADS classification blinded to clinical and PCR test results of the patients and then consensus was achieved with joint evaluation. Results: A total of 99 patients, 38 RT-PCR positive, 61 RT-PCR negative, were included in the study. Neutrophilto- lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values and lymphocyte count were lower at a statistically significant level in positive patients (respectively p=0.038, p=0.041). Similarly, CRP values were observed to be lower at a statistically significant level in positive patients (p=0.029). When the patients with RT-PCR (+) and RT-PCR (-) but with positive chest CT findings according to CO-RADS staging were compared, the values of WBC, LDH and CRP level was observed to be high were statistically significant in the group with RT-PCR (-) but positive chest CT findings (respectively p=0,001, p=0,033, p=0,004). The highest AUC value was obtained in the model developed using cough, WBC, LDH, CRP values and thorax CT score, and it was seen that this model could be successful in distinguishing RT-PCR positivity (AUC=0.725, 95% CI:0.619-0.830). Conclusion: In the presence of clinical findings, without waiting for RT-PCR positivity, the probability of COVID-19 disease will increase if there are elevated WBC, CRP and LDH findings with CT findings (stage 4-5 according to CO-RADS).